Changing the Way We Consume Food | EP 135: Kat Eckles, Founder of Clean Juice

It seems like out of nowhere, eating healthy has suddenly become trendy. People like to talk about eating Organic and Non-GMO foods. It's funny because our grandparents and ancestors did this for years, yet somehow, it's come onto the scene as this trendy, new concept. Regardless, our guest today wanted to make clean, healthy food more accessible. Join us as we speak with Kat Eckles, the founder of Clean Juice. Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest. 1:08 - Kat Eckles is the founder of Clean Juice. It's the only USDA certified organic juice bar in the country. She joins us to discuss how her homemade smoothies and juices inspired the idea of opening a juice bar in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Kat 101. 2:30 - Kat is a mom of five, and she wants to create a healthy home for her children. As a young mom, she researched healthy foods, looking for ways to make green smoothies a bit tastier. She quickly discovered you could disguise the taste of spinach in a smoothie by adding a banana and some blueberries. What started as a way to make nutritious meals for her children became a business when she and her husband decided it was time for a career change. They moved to Charlotte and started Clean Juice in 2014. Origins Of Clean Juice.    6:45 - Kat lived in suburban Pennsylvania, and while she enjoyed making smoothies and juices at home, she realized there weren't many healthy options for the general public. Most play dates ended at fast food jaunts, and she wanted to create healthier options for other families. Turning A Hobby Into A Business. 8:30 - Kat attributes much of her success to her faith. She believes God provided her family with the right opportunity at the right time. She also credits her husband and his business acumen. The two of them worked together leveraging their savings in order to get the credit off the ground. They tried to keep things simple as they got started. The fruit came from Costco, and the staff came from local churches and youth groups. Rooted In Faith.  12:19 - Clean Juice puts faith at the forefront of its business. Scripture decorates cups, bowls, and other branded materials. Kat says she committed her family to faith when she moved back to North Carolina. She saw how God was able to hold her family together, and she wants to incorporate that into her business. Expanding The Business.  16:40 - As soon as Clean Juice opened its doors, customers wanted to know where they could find others. They'd always wanted to open 10 Clean Juice franchises in Charlotte, and they quickly decided other communities needed access to healthy food as well. Today, Clean Juice has 56 stores in thirteen states. They hope to be in more than twenty states by the end of 2019. Partnering With Burn.  21:49 - Clean Juice shares a unique partnership with Burn Boot Camp, which also started near Charlotte, North Carolina. Both businesses care about health and wellness, and they regularly collaborate and share business ideas. Since When Did Healthy Eating Become A Trend?  23:55 - When did eating fruits and vegetables become a trend? They've always been good for our bodies, so it's hard to imagine healthy eating becoming a "one hit wonder." While it might not be realistic to only drink clean juices and smoothies, a fast or juice cleanse can work wonders for your body as you seek to create a healthy lifestyle and prevent various diseases. Defining The New Vision. 32:41 - In Charlotte, there's tremendous income gap between underprivileged and wealthier families. Certain families don't have access to healthy foods, and Clean Juice wants to shift that paradigm. The new foundation will work to create opportunities for kids in schools to eat healthy at home. Getting To Know Our Guest: 36:24 - Kat shares everything from her favorite acai bowl to what she's most grateful for today. A Memorable Moment: "God always brings beauty from the ashes. We want an opportunity to share Jesus' love and show what an impact He's had on our lives and what he can do for others." - Kat Eckles To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/03/business-purpose-podcast-kat-eckles-clean-juice/