Living Your Legacy – Episode Summary
Episode Title: TeaDeus and the End of Tea Bags: Brewing Innovation with Purpose
Podcast Host: Rudy Mawer
Guest: Ivan Tercy, Founder of TDEOS (TeaDeus)
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Living Your Legacy centers on innovation, resilience, and the entrepreneurial journey of Ivan Tercy, the founder of TDEOS, a brand seeking to eliminate traditional tea bags through an eco-friendly, premium loose leaf tea cup. Host Rudy Mawer and Ivan discuss Ivan's inspiring story—from humble beginnings and hardships as an immigrant in the United States to launching a disruptive product in the tea industry. The conversation explores lessons in adversity, product innovation, and the lasting impact of legacy-driven business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Ivan Tercy’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey

• Origins of Hustle

  • Ivan began entrepreneurial work as a child, selling gum at age seven to buy a wrestling uniform ([02:05]).
  • Progressed to selling newspapers by age 10, cementing his enterprising spirit early.

• Immigrating and Facing Hardship

  • Fulfilled a lifelong dream by moving to the US, encountering immense challenges as he juggled three jobs (pizza delivery, warehouse work, Uber) while raising a toddler ([03:39]).
  • "Sleep was a luxury to me... I didn't have a chance to fail because that would mean I have to come back. And in my country, there was a war at that time." – Ivan [04:47]

• Creation Born from Adversity

  • Experienced betrayal when a friend landed an office job Ivan wanted at his warehouse position; the setback spurred him to start his own computer company ([05:15]).
  • Built a multimillion-dollar business from scratch, “zero money down,” before feeling driven to create a product truly his own.

The Birth and Vision of TDEOS

• Identifying the Problem with Tea Bags

  • Upon arriving in the US, Ivan found the tea market lacking in quality and health standards: "I realized that the idea to have a mission to educate American people to drink healthy tea and eco friendly, high quality is really something that fire me up from inside." – Ivan [07:00]

• TDEOS Product Innovation

  • TDEOS offers high-quality loose leaf tea in an eco-friendly, disposable cup with a plant-based filter—no plastic, no tea dust, and minimal waste.
  • "This is the game changer in the nearest future. People not going to use the tea bags at all because no point for that." – Ivan [00:01], [07:27]
  • The cup’s design allows for strength customization and can be brewed up to three times ([08:28]).
  • Product targeted at both B2B (bulk) and individual consumers; available online (especially Amazon), local stores, gas stations, and hotels ([09:10]).

• Sustainable and Convenient

  • Packaging is fully biodegradable, with convenience for busy lifestyles—no spills, no mess, and on-the-go usage ([10:03], [10:57]).

Market, Product, and Mission

• Flavors and Product Line

  • Focus on traditional and herbal varieties: green tea, black tea, lemon ginger, peppermint, chamomile—no artificial flavors or sugars ([09:33]).

• Vision for the Future

  • Ivan’s objective is to “eliminate the tea bag”: "We're going to eliminate the tea bags, man... I think this product will be on top." – Ivan [10:03], [10:23]
  • Committed to continued innovation and sustainability within the tea industry ([11:20]).

• Health and Environmental Advocacy

  • Stresses the dangers of microplastics in conventional tea bags.
  • "You choose whether you want some harmful products and inconvenient or you can have a set that is already ready for use and it's healthy." – Ivan [10:41]

Lessons in Resilience & Building a Legacy

• Overcoming Major Setbacks

  • Lost his main account (80% revenue) after a competitor's complaint led to marketplace suspension ([11:53]).
  • Turned adversity into opportunity: “You pull yourself together, you create a plan how you can fix that and you overcome the barrier... we actually doubled our revenue in the half of the year after the suspension.” ([12:24])
  • Ivan’s ethos: Every barrier can become a springboard for new growth and opportunity ([12:54]).

• Legacy Defined

  • "My legacy is that I want to create a product that people can feel grateful for and that's my mission... I'll do my best to create useful and healthy products for all the people because I'm grateful for many things that I use and that's...my mission." – Ivan [13:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I can tell you that this is the game changer in the nearest future...instead we offer the high quality loose leaf tea in a very convenient way." – Ivan ([00:01])
• "I didn't have a chance to fail because that would mean I have to come back. And in my country, there was a war at that time." – Ivan ([04:47])
• "If you stir it more, you get it more strong. If you don't want it, you keep it like that and you can brew it up to three times." – Ivan ([08:28])
• "Every time you have any barrier, it's probably a new way or a new opportunities for you and you don't have to be sad or in depression." – Ivan ([12:54])
• "Go and find new ways. It's a push for you. That's what I learned and that's very important. I don't think something will stop me." – Ivan ([13:10])
• "My legacy is that I want to create a product that people can feel grateful for and that's my mission and I'm working on it." – Ivan ([13:27])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ivan's Early Entrepreneurship: [02:05] – Selling gum to buy a wrestling uniform
• Immigration Struggles & Motivation: [03:39] – Juggling multiple jobs, “Sleep was a luxury...”
• Turning Betrayal into Drive: [05:15] – Not getting promoted, starting his business
• Transition to Tea Innovation: [06:47] – Why focus on tea
• TDEOS Product Explained: [07:27] – What makes it a “game changer”
• Health, Convenience, and Sustainability: [10:03] – Eliminating the tea bag, brand mission
• Overcoming Major Setback: [11:53] – Losing main account and rebounding
• Philosophy on Legacy: [13:27] – Ivan’s mission-driven approach

Where to Find TDEOS

• Amazon: Search “TDEOS”
• Company Website: Link in podcast show notes
• Retail: Local stores, gas stations, hotels ([09:10])

Tone & Takeaway

The episode encapsulates the grit, adaptability, and vision of immigrant entrepreneurs building their own American dream. Ivan’s practical wisdom, relentless optimism, and commitment to health and environment shine through a candid and motivational conversation—a true legacy in the making, backed by innovation and purpose.

Summary prepared for listeners of "Living Your Legacy" who want the key lessons and moments—no tea bag required.