Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Williams.
Hi Adrienne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have been making fruit and vegetable smoothies/juices since college. It wasn’t until 2019 that I dug into new and different flavors. In 2019 I was diagnosed with achalasia disease, meaning my esophagus closed, not allowing me to swallow food, including liquid. Not being able to swallow whole foods, I switched to juicing. While I switched to drinking juice, it wasn’t because of the disease but because I wasn’t taking vitamins, and I knew I needed to substitute and understood the value. When I met my husband (Shedrick), I would bring him juices/smoothies for him to have for breakfast and lunch instead of fast food. He continued to tell me how good they were and that people need this in their life. Early in 2020, we were sitting on the floor, talking about what it would be if we could do anything. I said I would open a juice bar and call it Ujamaa Juice.
Ujamaa is Swahili, and to us, it means family. Each bottle says you got the juice, and welcome to the family. Two years later, we use a ghost kitchen off Emerson near the San Marco area of Jacksonville, FL. We make the juices weekly as they have a 7-day shelf life with the option to freeze. Currently, our juices are available for purchase at Kravegan (in the orange park mall), Vegan Cafe Jax ( across from Bishop Kenny High School), St Johns Sport, and Spine (Durbin Market), as well as for sale online for local pickup/delivery.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The main struggle was being able to fulfill orders as they came in. In the beginning, I was still working a full-time job in marketing. It was hard working 40+ hours Monday – Friday and then spending 10 hours or so every Friday night to early Saturday morning making juice; possibly only 1-2 hours of sleep before attending a market to sell the juice we made hours before. Now, because of my husband’s support, I can focus my time and energy on being a business owner, wife, and mother. We also have a juice crew member who can now make the juice from my direction, allowing us family time and me time to focus on expanding our partnerships and increasing brand awareness.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business? What do you specialize in?
Cold pressed juice. There is the juice for everyone; we have Cameron’s carrot juice if you like carrots. If you want to focus on a cleanse and detox, we have earth strong, which can be described as the liquid version of a salad. Like beets? We have those too. Beet it: if you love beets, you will love our beet it. Ever our 7-year son Cameron begs us to drink some at every chance.
What are you known for?
Ujamaa Mama is made with pear, lemon, and ginger. You won’t find many pear juices at any grocery store. With help from our local produce supplier, we can make Ujamaa Mama 12 months a year.
What do you think about luck?
I wouldn’t say luck but faith in God and support from my husband and our community. Having faith in God allows us to know what is meant to be will be. When things do not work out in our favor, it’s not because it was a bad idea or plan, it just isn’t meant to be, and we understand that and have peace with that. Having a partner who supports you and sacrifices what is needed is everything. It makes pulling in the long hours worth it. We have turned date nights from expensive meals at Rue St. Marc into time in the kitchen listening to music, doing what we love, and providing for our family.
Pricing:
- Ujamaa Mama – $8
- Beet it – $8
- Earth Strong – $8
- Camerons Carrot Juice- $8
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ujamaajuice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ujamaajuice/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UjamaaJuice/
Image Credits
2 of the images were taken by Instagram: @Roctvisuals
