Milk for Tea is a platform that brings people together to enjoy the lifestyle of the modern gentleman while speaking about issues that affect the male community. With their latest campaign #perfectlyhuMEN in full swing, writer Matt Peet caught up with the founder to learn more about this effortlessly stylish yet modest mental health initiative for the modern gentleman.
First off thanks a lot for agreeing to do this interview with me Daniel – Could you tell us about your own personal background?
No worries at all, thanks so much for reaching out to me for the interview. My name is Daniel Edmund, I’m a 26 year old British-American. I was born in Bristol, UK where my dad is from and raised just outside of Washington D.C where my mother is from. I grew up as an incredibly insecure boy who struggled with the notion of what being a man was supposed to be/look like. When I was 18 I started using drugs which started my five year battle with substance abuse. After recovering from my drug habit I soon launched my brand Milk for Tea which is a company that helps men talk about their issues in a relevant way.
What do you think makes a gentleman in your eyes?
In my eyes a gentleman is a man who aims to raise the standard for himself and those around him. Someone who lives beyond the standards of others and lives out ones of his own. Also, someone who believes in the power of style and substance.
Besides being a gentleman do you have any other passions?
Besides being a gentleman I love running (I use to be a competitive 800m runner back in the states), writing and speaking. I’m interested in the media and would love to see myself having a hand in it in some way. I love dancing as well, I’m not trained at all but absolutely love it!
What made you start Milk for Tea?
I started Milk for Tea as a way for men to be honest and open about the issues they’re dealing with but in a way that really connects with them either through shared interests or in some way that really resonates with them. I genuinely believe its important for men to support other men. At the Milk for Tea events, we have both men and women attend but there is something special about brotherhood (and sisterhood) and being open about the issues your community are facing.
Please tell us more about your campaign #perfectlyhuMEN and why you chose this campaign?
The #perfectlyhuMEN social media campaign is an initiative we started at Milk for Tea to raise awareness for men’s mental health and to help combat male suicide, which is still the number one leading cause of death for men under 50 in the U.K. The aim is to celebrate our “imperfections” as men and to change the social perception of an enclosed man. We’re really excited about it. If you’d like to get involved visit milkfortea.com
Could you tell us the kind of things you want Milk for Tea to achieve in next 12months?
In the next 12 months I would love Milk for Tea to grow its social footprint, connect with as many people as possible and help open up vital conversations about the male community.
Do you like milk in your coffee as well or are you just a good old fashioned tea drinker?
Ah, I’m not much of a coffee drinker, at all! My friends keep trying to get me into it but I don’t think its for me. I love tea though, Earl Grey is a staple for me. I do have milk in my tea but it needs to be soy, almond or anything dairy alternative. If not I’ll just have it black.
My late grandmother would always say ‘Tea hydrates you better than any of them sports drinks!’ – so on very rare warm days in the north I would be forced to drink scalding hot tea…have you heard this and if so what is your take on it?
I’m not sure if tea hydrates you better than sports drinks, I just know it’s really good, haha. Your grandmother seemed to like her tea as well so it can’t be bad.
Finally could you tell us if you could take a ride in a time machine to the future how would you want Milk for Tea to be?
I’ve been asked quite a bit about the future of Milk for Tea from various different people. It’s funny because I’m usually a big vision, big thinker type of guys, and I do have big aspirations for the company but I’d much rather set short-midterm goals and see how things go. I want Milk for Tea to be what its supposed to be and not just what I think it should be and that means you need to give it room to breathe and take a life of its own at times.
