Savanna & Steep was born from a season of reinvention. After more than 30 years in corporate healthcare and strategic management, I found myself unexpectedly starting over. As a single mother of two active teenagers, losing the stability I had built over decades was emotionally and financially devastating — but it also became a defining moment. I realized that while I had spent years helping large organizations grow, I was being called to build something rooted in purpose, passion, and people.

Throughout my journey, tea has been my quiet refuge — a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with myself. I wanted to create a space where others could experience that same sense of comfort, presence, and belonging.

Savanna & Steep is a contemporary afternoon-tea bistro and collaborative community hub located in Rockland County, NY. We’re on a mission to normalize the afternoon-tea experience and make it accessible, affordable, and meaningful for everyday life — not just for special occasions. Guests can enjoy beautifully curated teas, tiered treats, cultural education, etiquette experiences, and thoughtfully designed events, all served in a warm, well-appointed environment.

But the heart of Savanna & Steep is our incubator model. I’ve seen how many talented women — especially mothers — have incredible ideas but lack access to mentorship, visibility, and space to test their products. We partner with local bakers, tea makers, and creatives to host pop-ups, showcase small-batch offerings, and help build confidence and community. When one woman succeeds, she opens doors for many others.

Our recent summer pop-up with The Angel Nyack (a nonprofit art center) affirmed what I felt in my spirit: people are hungry for connection, elegance, and intentional conversation. Savanna & Steep is becoming a place where birthdays are celebrated, teens gather safely, seniors feel seen, mothers receive a moment of grace, and new entrepreneurs meet their first customers.

As a woman of color and the daughter of an immigrant mother who raised us after the tragic loss of my father, I carry the values of resilience, reinvention, and community support into this business. Savanna & Steep is not just a bistro — it is a love letter to the village that shaped me, the children I’m raising, and the women who deserve to be heard, seen, and supported.

Welcome to Savanna & Steep — where every cup tells a story, and everyone has a seat at the table.