Manna Juice Bar is a cold-pressed juice bar constructed from a ardour of optimistic vitality with the objective to interrupt down the limitations between well being, wellness and tradition. Based by husband and spouse duo Kristi and Dominick Andrew, the concept and ideas of Manna Juice Bar have been based in 2016, after a seek for native, more healthy choices for his or her household, and to gasoline their existence.
As dad and mom, artists, and likewise an athlete/pharmacist combo, the Andrews’ collaborated with a meals scientist to encourage a balanced life-style by way of the quick, recent and environment friendly diet offered in cold-pressed juice. From there, the remainder has turn into historical past.
Manna Juice Bar has turn into an actual asset to the Dallas neighborhood, a neighborhood the place folks dwell their finest Tex-mex and barbeque consuming lives. Right here, founder Kristi Andrew chats with us about her ardour for bringing Black-owned healthful choices to Dallas, how she hopes Manna Juice Bar will in the end impression the neighborhood and extra.
As a pharmacist and a former athlete, what motivated you to open Manna Juice Bar?
Dominick and I have been each on a journey to a more healthy life-style. Being a pharmacist, I discovered lots of instances the onset of sure illness states, particularly for Black folks, may have been prevented with more healthy weight-reduction plan and train. Juicing was one thing we started to include into our weight-reduction plan as soon as we moved from New Orleans to Dallas. It’s a very easy method to devour a large quantity of vitamins directly, with cold-pressed juicing being essentially the most environment friendly course of. We developed a ardour for the trade, partnered with a meals scientist, and started to construct Manna Juice Bar the place the objective was to create juice, smoothies, and açaí bowls that have been wholesome with out compromising style!
The place did the title “Manna” come from?
Manna comes from the Bible; within the Previous Testomony God had Moses main the Israelites from their place of bondage over to the Promised Land, and once they didn’t know what they might eat or drink, God despatched manna from heaven to feed them day by day. We wished folks to consider our merchandise as obligatory sustenance, uncooked and natural, that would offer gasoline for day by day dwelling. Additionally, it displays the identical journey we’ve taken as entrepreneurs ourselves.
It’s essential that we — Black folks — see extra of ourselves within the well being world. Why is it necessary for a spot like Manna Juice bar to exist?
I really feel because the world tendencies towards all issues well being associated, it’s necessary for black folks to be part of the narrative as effectively. Closing the healthcare disparities throughout the minority neighborhood can begin with the schooling of our folks by our folks about main a more healthy life-style. Manna for us is a method to start that dialog.
Do you see your work as activism in any method?
For positive! Whereas juicing itself may be very various, the illustration of individuals of coloration within the juicing trade has historically been low. Creating this area for ourselves makes positive our voice is being heard, and our tradition is affecting the trade versus simply being profited from. We additionally use our platform and volunteer to help causes that matter to us, particularly throughout the Black neighborhood.
What has been the most important problem and, on the flip facet, the most important reward of beginning the Manna Juice bar?
The most important problem initially was shifting all the pieces from theoretical processes to actuality. Constructing the enterprise, we had lots of issues that made sense on paper, however as soon as we opened we needed to shift, regulate, and turn into versatile till we discovered processes that may work in actual life. Working a enterprise takes 100% dedication, and the work is just not confined to the hours of 9 and 5, so work life stability is one thing we constantly have to search out. The most important reward for us is that by creating an area for ourselves to deliver our true selves right into a enterprise that’s including worth to our neighborhood, we’re assured we’re fulfilling our function.
What’s one thing that you just discovered out of your accomplice after beginning this enterprise collectively?
I believe we’ve discovered to respect what every individual brings to the desk. As a videographer and entrepreneur, Dominick is extra of a visionary; he has actually nice concepts and retains the larger image in thoughts. As a former pharmacy operations director, I’m extra impactful on the each day operations of the enterprise, ensuring lots of the small particulars are coated. It’s simpler to speak and defer when obligatory for us once we each have outlined roles!
Do you propose to open different areas sooner or later?
Positively! We’re wanting ahead to rising our enterprise and our model and increasing very quickly!