Mike Harney Spills the Tea on His Better Half, Brigitte Harney

Mike Harney Spills the Tea on His Better Half, Brigitte Harney

Mike and his better half, Brigitte, share their love story in honor of Valentine’s Day.

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Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than by taking a stroll down Lover’s Lane? For this special Valentine’s Day edition of Mike Harney Spills the Tea, I have the perfect excuse to introduce my better half and wife of 45 years, Brigitte Harney.

Tell Our Fans How We Met

Brigitte: In the summer of 1977, I came to the United States to improve my English. I had just graduated high school back in France and began working as an au pair for a family in Connecticut. While the family was away on vacation, I went to visit a friend of my mother’s, Danielle Feeney, who had just bought a house in Lakeville. That’s where I met the Harneys, (The Feeney’s friends from Cornell), who lived and ran the White Hart Inn. 

When did you know I was the one?

Brigitte: After our first meeting, Mike and I reconnected while he was in France for a year-long internship. I was devastated when he told me he was going back to the States. We spent three amazing days together right before he left… and that was the beginning of our relationship. 

What makes us each other's better half?

Brigitte: Michael likes to discover and learn new things. He pushes me out of my comfort zone. He is also very funny and extremely thoughtful. 

Mike: We balance each other out, while I push Brigitte out of her comfort zone, she pulls me into a comfort zone by just being herself. 

What is your role at Harney?

Brigitte: My role at Harney has been to create a store that can be a one-stop shop for all your needs and gifts. That includes finding the best home goods and accessories for the store. I enjoy being at the store and meeting our customers, who often share fond memories of how they discovered our teas or when they met John, the founder, and my father-in-law. 

How do you maintain a work-life balance?

Brigitte: We’ve been working together for over 20 years now. We try not to talk too much about work when we’re at home, but this is very much a family business. Michael runs the company with his brother and the help of our two children, Emeric and Alexander. 

What’s it like working in the tea business?

Brigitte: I do love it and it has been amazing to witness the growth of the business while still keeping the quality of our teas. I enjoy drinking tea and I love to travel, so I have been very privileged to visit international tea territories with Michael on his buying trips. 

Favorite Harney & Sons memory with each other?

Brigitte: From the first days when we came back from Chicago and started working with John Harney up at his old house, in the tiny little workspace in the garage. Later taking trips with our growing family. One memorable trip was to Vienna to see Andrew Demmer, a supplier, who became a great friend. To see what he had developed with his business and tea shops… from that came the inspiration for our first shop. It was an idyllic location along a little stream; someone even hung a swing up for the kids. It was on a quiet side street, just a lovely location and great memories. 

Mike: We’ve taken many trips visiting tea regions. Two years ago on our first trip after COVID, we visited the Nilgiris in southern India and then down Sri Lanka. Visiting Amba Estate was a highlight. An Eden out in the jungle. We loved spending time with the owner, Simon Bell. That reminds me of the tea trip we took to London several years ago with a few customers; we drank Gin & Tonics with the same Simon Bell. We also had tea on the roof of the Dorchester Hotel. Most recently, we went with our children to see Rooibos production in South Africa.

What are our current favorite Harney tea blends?

Brigitte: Well… I do like the blend Michael made that has my name. 

Mike: Brigitte’s blend has two of my favorite teas, a nice Assam blended with smooth Sri Lankan tea. 

Brigitte: I also like Supreme Breakfast. There are many other blends I love, it really depends on the kind of day it is, my mood, the weather… the list goes on. 

Brigitte and I have shared countless adventures and built an extraordinary life together. We are very lucky and hope you understand that this journey has been lovely to grow Harney & Sons and our family.  As we celebrate love this Valentine’s season, we’re reminded that the best partnerships — whether in life or business — are those that balance, challenge, and inspire.

12 comments

Jaqui

I think that my first Harney tea was in Canada. From there, I started buying from your online store. One day, my young adult son had a cuppa. Now this is the only brand of tea he drinks.

I think that my first Harney tea was in Canada. From there, I started buying from your online store. One day, my young adult son had a cuppa. Now this is the only brand of tea he drinks.

Katherine Salas-Soto

This was my first time trying Harney & Sons teas…so favorable and the aroma is amazing. I will continue to order.

This was my first time trying Harney & Sons teas…so favorable and the aroma is amazing. I will continue to order.

Janice Park

I first discovered Harney teas by way of Martha Stewarts magazine way back. She featured different teas. I saw that Harney tea shop was near my daughter and so when I visited her they took me to your little shop by the little creek. I was in heaven tasting and smelling all the different teas. So every time I visit my daughter , I visit Harney tea. Love the location in the old train station. That is where I met John Harney a most welcoming man. I have since converted many people to Harney tea for pleasure and not just to drink tea from the grocery store when they are sick. I have so many Harney teas that I could open a tea room. A tea for every mood and occasion. Thank you for growing your store and keeping that wonderful quality of tea. Janice Park

I first discovered Harney teas by way of Martha Stewarts magazine way back. She featured different teas. I saw that Harney tea shop was near my daughter and so when I visited her they took me to your little shop by the little creek. I was in heaven tasting and smelling all the different teas. So every time I visit my daughter , I visit Harney tea. Love the location in the old train station. That is where I met John Harney a most welcoming man. I have since converted many people to Harney tea for pleasure and not just to drink tea from the grocery store when they are sick. I have so many Harney teas that I could open a tea room. A tea for every mood and occasion. Thank you for growing your store and keeping that wonderful quality of tea. Janice Park

Sj

Such a lovely story of two friends who fall in love with each other and have stayed steadfast partners through life’s challenges. Inspiring. I need to try a bag of Brigitte 😁

Such a lovely story of two friends who fall in love with each other and have stayed steadfast partners through life’s challenges. Inspiring. I need to try a bag of Brigitte 😁

Carol Bacchus

Always look forward to your emails throughout the week to hear updates about teas and Friends. A family of Tea Lovers. Thank you for your delicious 😋 teas that make me smile.

Always look forward to your emails throughout the week to hear updates about teas and Friends. A family of Tea Lovers. Thank you for your delicious 😋 teas that make me smile.

Bob Samuels

Mike, thanks for sharing the story of your and Brigitte’s love for each other on this Valentine’s Day. My wife Dixie and I also balance one another, and that has been an element of strength as we enter our 25th year of marriage and continuing great love.

Mike, thanks for sharing the story of your and Brigitte’s love for each other on this Valentine’s Day. My wife Dixie and I also balance one another, and that has been an element of strength as we enter our 25th year of marriage and continuing great love.

Vickie Brown

Beautiful Story !! Thank You for Sharing !! I am sharing Valentine’s Day with My Hubby……My One & Only !! High School Sweethearts and this year we will be celebrating our 56th Anniversary and we start Every Morning with Vanilla Black and have been doing this for Many Years 😃 Wonderful Tea !!

Beautiful Story !! Thank You for Sharing !! I am sharing Valentine’s Day with My Hubby……My One & Only !! High School Sweethearts and this year we will be celebrating our 56th Anniversary and we start Every Morning with Vanilla Black and have been doing this for Many Years 😃 Wonderful Tea !!

Carol

What a beautiful love story!

What a beautiful love story!

Kathy

Love reading your story, and I absolutely love your teas

Love reading your story, and I absolutely love your teas

Adrienne Gillen

Your personalities and love shine in your Valentine’s Day blog. So wonderful for you to share.
I am still a big fan of your teas—with eight in stock right now. Cheers!

Your personalities and love shine in your Valentine’s Day blog. So wonderful for you to share.
I am still a big fan of your teas—with eight in stock right now. Cheers!

Juliet Moore

Michael and Brigette are the best! So talented and wonderful, treasured friends. Their family is special and Harney & Sons Teas is a class act!

Michael and Brigette are the best! So talented and wonderful, treasured friends. Their family is special and Harney & Sons Teas is a class act!

Cherie Chalk

What an inspiring story. Nice to see a couple/family that still loves each other after all these years

What an inspiring story. Nice to see a couple/family that still loves each other after all these years

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