Meet the team behind BOGA in Renton, Washington – Phuoc, Teresa, Trung, and Son. The four joined forces in 2021 after noticing the boba scene in Washington lacked what they had to offer: a welcoming, creative, and fun environment to grab boba and work, study, or just chill. The quartet’s unique combination of skills and shared vision led to the creation of BOGA in Renton, Washington, where they serve boba drinks crafted from fresh ingredients, carefully sourced, and artfully prepared. Get to know more about Phuoc, Teresa, Trung, Son, and BOGA in this week’s Business Spotlight Q&A: BOGA.
Bonus: BOGA features flavor-packed syrups that are made in-house using natural cane sugar.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite part about the community your business is in & why?
Our favorite part of the community is the people – everyone is very warm and welcoming and has the same intention and goal to make the community a safe and fun environment for patrons and business owners.
Why is it important to you and your business that people #SpendLikeItMatters?
As not only a small business owner but a family, minority Asian small business, I believer that consumers should spend their money at diverse small businesses for several reasons. From supporting the local economy to promoting inclusivity and sustainability, shopping at small businesses is a win-win for everyone.
Firstly, supporting small businesses helps to strengthen local economies – you are supporting your community and keeping your money in the local economy. This helps to create jobs, increase tax revenues, and overall improves the economic well-being of the community.
Secondly, small business offer unique and personalized products and services. Here at BOGA, we strive for satisfaction for every patron on both product and experience. Small businesses have the flexibility to cater to our customer’s individual needs and preferences. We also offer one-of-a-kind products that cannot be found elsewhere.
Thirdly, shopping at diverse small businesses helps to promote diversity and inclusivity. We come from diverse backgrounds and communities, which allows for a wider range of perspectives and ideas to be represented. By supporting businesses like ours you are helping to foster an environment of inclusivity and acceptance.
Lastly, as a small business, we are environmentally conscious. We use more sustainable and ethical practices, such as sourcing local materials and ingredients, reducing waste, and using renewable energy sources. By choosing to shop at a small business, you are indirectly supporting these eco-friendly practices and contributing to a more sustainable future.
What’s something your customers may not know about you or your business?
BOGA takes pride in using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, which many of our customer may not be aware of. We craft our own syrups in-house, using cane sugar rather than fructose, and our purees are made from real fruits. In addition, we exclusively use organic A2 milk from Alexandre Family Farm, and we create our own cloud foams to add a unique twist to our drinks. To ensure the highest quality and taste, our teas are brewed in small batches using tea leaves instead of powder.
What are some of your favorite local businesses and why?
Our few favorite small businesses that we love to support are Macadons, a local small business that serves fresh, unique, and delicious macarons. Their treats are always a hit with our team.
Another one of our top picks is Cedar River Smokehouse, their prime rib dip sandwich and hot spicy honey is our favorite. We can’t get enough of their mouthwatering flavors and quality ingredients.
One of our favorite retail shops is The Pencil Test, they have great customer service and a wide selection of options. Supporting these small businesses is important to us, and we encourage others to do the same.