I spoke to my family and my brother Liam was also interested in supporting me start a business. I began with the idea of frozen yogurt and quickly realised that being in Scotland this wouldn’t be the best product - TOO COLD here! I was in London and spotted someone carrying this drink that I could only get when in Malaysia visiting my family which I later discovered was called Bubble Tea. This became the starting point for Tempo, we were going to launch the first Bubble Tea store in Scotland. Since 2013, we have grown our product range so much that I wouldn’t define ourselves as simply a Bubble Tea store but more a diverse drinks bar that whatever your Tempo is, we will help you find the perfect drink. 

After building Tempo from Scotland’s first bubble tea café into a growing brand, we realised something bigger was missing.

Through growing Tempo Tea Bar, navigating Covid, and pivoting from retail to e-commerce, we saw how many young people lacked access to affordable creative spaces, business support, and a community that genuinely backed them - especially outside the city centre.

That’s why we started Tempo Community. We didn’t just want to sell drinks - we wanted to build something that created real opportunities for people who need them.

We opened a two-floor hub in Rutherglen: a space for dance, fitness, content creation, entrepreneurship and wellbeing. A place where young people can test ideas, build confidence, develop skills and feel supported.

We also created CommuniTEA bottled bubble tea, with all profits going directly back into funding community projects and keeping the space accessible.

For us, Tempo Community is about creating the kind of environment we wish more of us had growing up - somewhere to grow, create and belong.