Meet Christopher
Christopher Harness is a creative visionary and founder of Christopher’s Favorite Brands, LLC. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a degree in Digital Media and a concentration in Interactive Design and Game Development, Christopher brings over twenty-five years of experience in design, product management, and customer experience to his entrepreneurial journey. His career spans industries as diverse as manufacturing, real estate, and technology, with a focus on innovation, storytelling, and building meaningful connections.
Christopher’s Favorite Brands is not just a business—it’s a deeply personal endeavor inspired by his love for tea, his passion for cultural heritage, and his desire to create a lasting legacy for his family. Raised in Sugar Land, Texas and rooted in the vibrant culture of Atlanta, Christopher is driven by a mission to celebrate Black American excellence and reconnect the African diaspora through the shared ritual of tea. His blend of Western influence and African roots informs his unique perspective, which he channels into every aspect of his brand.
The challenges of the pandemic provided Christopher with an opportunity for reflection and reinvention. Experimenting with tea blends during quarantine turned into a creative outlet that soon blossomed into a business. The success of those early experiments, shared with friends and neighbors, reinforced his belief in the power of tea to bring people together, spark conversations, and tell stories.
Today, Christopher is crafting a brand that reflects his belief that Black American Luxury is its own category—worthy of recognition, celebration, and elevation. Through Christopher’s Favorite, he strives to define luxury on his own terms while fostering a global network of collaboration within the African diaspora. His vision extends beyond tea to include sustainable practices, diasporic economic empowerment, and innovative product development that honors heritage while looking to the future.
My Story
When I moved to Atlanta in 1996, I was inspired by the city’s vibrant community of successful Black professionals and thriving businesses. That inspiration has stayed with me, and today, I am honored to launch Christopher’s Favorite Brands in this remarkable city, sharing a product I love with a community that has always motivated me.
My journey has been shaped by over 25 years in software development, where I honed my skills in customer experience, product innovation, and leadership. At companies like Honeywell International and CareerBuilder, I managed multimillion-dollar product portfolios, led large-scale product design, and developed strategies that genuinely resonated with consumers. These experiences taught me the value of creating products that prioritize quality, attention to detail, and meaningful connections—values that are at the core of Christopher’s Favorite Brands.
The pandemic of 2020 was a pivotal moment. As the world slowed down, I found solace and creativity in tea blending, crafting comforting flavors for friends and family. What began as a personal ritual quickly transformed into a business when I received paid orders from those who loved my blends. This journey—from experimenting in my kitchen to designing elegant bottles and branding—has been an expression of my dedication to craftsmanship and hospitality.
Christopher’s Favorite Brands is more than a business; it’s the foundation of a larger vision to redefine luxury on my own terms. My goal is to offer customers more than just tea—I want to provide an experience of mindfulness, comfort, and joy with every sip. I believe luxury lives in the small details, from the design of the bottle to the elegance of the label, and I pour over every aspect to ensure that care and sophistication are felt by every customer.
But tea is just the beginning. Luxury isn’t just defined by a product—it’s shaped by culture. As Black Americans, our influence on art, music, fashion, and lifestyle is undeniable. My mission is to contribute to this cultural legacy by building a brand that celebrates our creativity and redefines what luxury means for us. I envision Christopher’s Favorite Brands as the starting point of a luxury lifestyle that integrates art, fashion, and storytelling—an authentic expression of Black excellence.
Of course, entrepreneurship is not without its challenges. When I couldn’t find the perfect bottle for my tea, I had my own made. This adaptability and dedication to quality have been hallmarks of my journey, giving me the resilience to innovate and stay true to my vision. I know that building a brand isn’t just about passion—it’s about learning, seeking guidance, and growing into a leader who can scale with integrity and intention.
Joining the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) and the Georgia Tech Food & Beverage Incubator was a natural next step in my entrepreneurial journey. I am excited to leverage their resources, not only to build my business but also to foster deeper connections within the community. At the heart of Christopher’s Favorite Brands is a simple idea: to share something I love in a way that feels meaningful and authentic, reconnecting people to the simple luxury of savoring life.
This isn’t just about tea—it’s about creating a lifestyle and a legacy. By celebrating Black American excellence and collaborating across the diaspora, I aim to build a brand that uplifts, connects, and inspires. Christopher’s Favorite Brands is my way of offering a small luxury that adds value to people’s lives, one cup at a time—and one step toward a broader cultural contribution.