Innovation

What really sets Raw Juce apart from other juicers is a $50,000 piece of equipment that makes cold-pressed juices. Each location has this special machine with a hydraulic press to squeeze out every nutrient of the local, organic produce. The cold pressing gives off zero heat, which prevents loss of enzymes and proteins that heat or blending can lose. It is also sustainable because it is quicker, more energy-efficient, and produces less waste than blending.

Word of mouth has done wonders for the business but so has taking advantage of tasting pop-ups all over the community from malls, yoga and spin classes, to schools and universities. These are done for marketing and for education. Schools are some of the most important places Raw Juce targets for teaching children and showing them new and healthy alternatives, setting a base on which they can develop a healthy mindset.

Inspiration

Barry Rabkin, founder of Raw Juce and CJO (Chief Juce Officer), is living proof that juicing can save one’s life. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009. The radioactive iodine treatment made him weak, so Barry decided to change his life for the better. He started juicing at home and experimenting with different organic concoctions. After a few years the cancer was in remission and he thought to himself why not create a place where everyone can benefit from juicing. Barry partnered with Jeff Levine (founder of Salad Creations), Steve Schaffer, and Ted Kauffman.

Steve and Ted remain behind the scenes playing a big part in training employees. Sarah Stone, a long-time employee says, “Ted mastered all the benefits of the juices and created more intense training for employees to be as knowledgeable as possible. The hardest part however, is keeping up with the rush. We aim to keep the interaction from when the customer orders less than 4 minutes. We are taught to be sustainable, practice what we preach.” Barry says, “We live the life, not faking it. We really care about our customers.” Sarah adds, “Barry is sweet and makes sure everyone feels involved. He remembers everyone’s name.”

Overall impact

With the growing success of the business and more locations opening, Barry looks to provide more people with education about the benefits of juicing. Raw Juce will continue to educate its customers and communities about the benefits of organic consumption with minimal waste, a key to good health and increased well-being.

Good Health and Wellness is the third goal of the United Nations. Raw Juce can be a contributor in helping achieve:

• Reduction of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

• Reduction of the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination

Raw Juce also promotes UN Goals of Quality Education and Responsible Consumption/Production. It educates customers, staff, and younger generations on improving health and well-being. And they help communities by only using what they need and not wasting any part of the organic produce they purchase. They never throw out products -- leftovers are given to staff to take home and enjoy with friends and families.

Raw Juce uses recyclable or decomposable products such as straws, napkins, and plastics. Lower grade plastics can easily deteriorate and chemicals and toxins can dissolve into the food or liquid. Every move that is made in the company takes into account the sustainability of the environment, the quality of the product, and the health of the community.

Business benefit

Benefits to Community, Environment, and Profitability are all important. Barry stresses the importance of improving customers’ health and as well as supporting local organic farmers. He uses the profits to give back to the environment and open more locations to better serve customers and help provide nutritious, waste free, organic juice to everyone. If he were not profitable, he could not help out the environment.

Barry says, "It is more than a business but a lifestyle. Employees and customers really live the organic health life. This means that it is not a one-and-done purchase business. People are there daily if not multiple times during the day. Profitability therefore is very high because of the high usage. The communities love the product and the message the company conveys. By continuing success, more locations can be opened."

Raw Juce has experienced tremendous success in a very short amount of time, driven by amazing reviews on social media. Its first location opened in October 2013. The store had a line of 16 cold-pressed fruit and vegetables juices, smoothies, and a small menu of vegan snacks and desserts. Presently there are 5 locations in Florida with plans of 5 new ones to be opened in 2017. The product line has grown immensely to over 20 juices, 3 protein smoothies, dozens of health "shots," organic wraps, sandwiches, salads, acai bowls and vegan desserts.

The goal has always been to expand into new communities to promote health and wellness. Products boast different remedies for whatever customers are looking for: for example, you can start your day with a boost, fuel-up midday with lunch, or finish your workout with protein. This has been a bold strategy that has paid off with the HQ store being busy no matter what time of day.

“Educating everyone from our staff to our customers is of the utmost importance to me," says Barry. “Juicing saved my life and the benefits are outstanding. I want to increase the well-being and health of everyone in our community. When we first opened, a lot of our customers were moms on the go, stopping in after a workout to grab a juice. Today we see everyone coming in here, from women to men to pro athletes to college students and kids."

I asked Barry about where he sees Raw Juce in 10 years. He answered, “I want to be the Starbucks of juicing.”

Social and environmental benefit

Raw Juce partners with like-minded companies, such as LuluLemon and Cycleward. Close to the juicers are yoga studios, cycle studios, gyms, malls and schools/universities. Barry spoke about the abundance of sugary or caffeinated drinks littering the halls of our schools. Not only are they terrible and encourage child obesity, but provide a short high followed by a long drain of energy.

With more locations opening, it gives communities more education on the benefits of juicing. This will help local farmers and increase well-being of customers. As more people switch over to juicing, more businesses will follow suit.

Barry shared his best environmental practices: recycling, purchasing produce from local sources, use of organic materials and biodegradable plastics, and close to zero food waste.

Interview

Barry Rabkin, CJO Chief Juce Officer, founder