This entrepreneur spotlight highlights Jill Howard from Juice Jar! Juice Jar is located inside the City Exchange Shops (there are so many amazing things in there) and is a premium place for some cold-pressed juice.
Their juice is 100% raw and organic, healthy, and 100% delicious. It's really great, you can stop buy and choose from their in-store menu while you're out and about, or you can make sure you're getting your daily juice on by ordering larger supplies — they even do delivery! Personally, I'm a smoothie-loving gal, and I LOVE the "Feeling Vitality" smoothie.
Jill had some great things to say about entrepreneurship in Fort Wayne, having the chance to share her experience, wisdom, and insights into small business in our city is a real treat for us!
What made you decide to open a business in Fort Wayne/Northeast Indiana?
I’m partial, but Fort Wayne has been a wonderful place to start and operate a business. There are so many people and organizations that want to see you succeed. The resource that has been the biggest help to us has been The City Exchange Shops and the people behind it. Having the opportunity to be in the heart of downtown and incubated with other small businesses at an affordable rate has been a huge component to Juice Jar’s initial success. In addition, the individuals behind the scenes at The City Exchange Shops offer amazing guidance and introduce you to resources and people that a new business owner would otherwise have to try and find on their own.
What is the biggest challenge you have worked to overcome in starting your business?
Hands down the person that has helped me the most in this journey is my husband; and my entire family being a close second. Starting and running a business is not for the faint of heart and Scott has been my rock. He and I have very different business backgrounds, mine is in design and marketing and his in business and sales; so we compliment each other very nicely. Every detail and decision has been collaborative.
What is some advice you would have for new entrepreneurs?
This may already exist and I just haven’t discovered it yet, but I would love to see an organization specifically for small business owners. An organization that gathers regularly to mingle and discuss what they are experiencing. One thing that is difficult is not having anyone to talk to that is going through the same scenarios and situations you are within your business. It would be great to have a place to connect with individuals in similar situations as myself as a new and small business owner.
So seriously, stop in (or call ahead) and get some juice!
You can follow Juice Jar on Twitter at @JuiceJarLife or you can follow them on Facebook!
