Business students bring bubble tea to Binghamton University

When Leighton Blackwood ’21 first came to Binghamton University, he was disappointed to find out how difficult it was to drink bubble tea, one of his favorite beverages, in his hometown of Queens, New York. So he set out to change that.

Blackwood, who majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing, is now the founder and owner of 2nd Heaven, a campus bubble tea (also known as boba) shop outside MarketPlace at The Union. 2nd Heaven sells juice teas, milk teas, iced teas and lattes that can be customized into over 100 possible beverage combinations.

For those unfamiliar with bubble tea, Blackwood describes it as an iced beverage with a tea base to which customers can add sugar, fruit concentrate and/or creamer. The drink is usually paired with tapioca pearls and other unique and sweet toppings.

Blackwood was always aware that he wanted to start his own business, but also knew he needed a backup plan. He studied marketing and took up marketing internships and jobs during and after college while working toward his goals.

When he had the idea for 2nd Heaven, he started right away, coming up with a business plan and idea between his management school classes and homework.

“It’s always been my dream to have my own stuff and build my own future,” Blackwood said. “I know, in the long run, I don’t want to stick to a 9-to-5 job for the rest of my life. I always have business ideas, but I always think, ‘How did you make it happen? “Certainly, business is about finding a niche.”

Blackwood first got the idea for Second Heaven as a sophomore when he realized that many students, especially from New York City, missed bubble tea, and there was a strong thirst for it on campus.

“I came here from New York City, and a lot of my friends love the city’s bubble tea,” he said. “But it’s very difficult to stand up here. I remember when College-in-the-Woods used to introduce it in the restaurant for a limited time and my friends were so excited about it because we had a hard time getting to the off-campus store. I didn’t have a car, so we had to take the bus for half an hour, come back with some bubble tea, and back and forth for an hour. For us, it was interesting to buy bubble tea on campus.”

Now, with 2nd Heaven open on campus since fall 2021, Blackwood finds himself in many different roles, from trying new flavors and beverages, to ordering ingredients and equipment, and sometimes even working in stores and making beverages.

During Blackwood’s creation of 2nd Heaven, he was helped by a system of professional and personal support.

“There were a lot of people who helped me get to where I am today,” he said. “Binghamton University Dining Services, Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Small Business Development Center, My Business Partners [Darren Shi ’18, ’19], my friend helped me a lot. It wasn’t something that happened overnight, but years of study, personal growth, negotiation and competition with other bubble tea vendors who wanted a place on campus. Ultimately, though, my support system made sure to help me overcome every obstacle I encountered along the way. “

The road to the Second Heaven took Blackwood two and a half years. He has learned a lot during that time and continues to get the support he needs while working his way up the shop.

“I am here [Broome County Farmers Market] Starting in 2020 for an eight-month period. So even there, there is a lot of learning and development.It’s not a linear journey, it’s the support I get from there [Binghamton University] Foodservice is an amazing opportunity for me that I keep looking for,” he said.

“I’m really excited about what we’re going to do next. We’ve got a lot in store.”

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