While trying to find a local place to buy fresh pressed juices, I stumbled upon the Juice Nashville site. For my first order, owner Stephanie Waring personally delivered it to my door and her kindness just radiated. Now, she uses a delivery service, as the orders are fast and furious. We first wrote about juice. Nashville in January and the response was tremendous, so we knew you’d like to know more about the woman behind the concept, whose ambition is to better the health of all of us, one juice at a time. That’s a fine goal.
Where are you from?
I was born in Michigan, but have lived in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee. My father’s job moved us around quite a bit, and once I graduated college (Go Vols!) I relocated a few times with my career.
If not from Nashville, how did you get here?
My parents grew up in east Tennessee. When I was a kid, we would drive from the east coast to visit my grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those are some of the best memories of my life. I always knew somehow I would live in Tennessee. Two years ago, my husband and I both worked for Mars (yes, the candy company!) in California. When an opportunity presented itself in Franklin, we couldn’t pass it up.
Have you always been passionate about fresh vegetables and fruits or did you have an epiphany moment?
Let’s put it this way, I was the kid that was pouting at the dinner table because I refused to touch a Brussels sprout. My epiphany came much later in my adult life when I started struggling from illness and crazy health issues. One day I woke up and I had the flu. The flu turned into severe chest pains. The chest pains turned to exhaustion. Exhaustion led to mind numbing cramps and pain. I was a wreck, and doctors could not figure out what was wrong. Upon the advice of my brother, Steve, I bought an Omega VERT juicer. Each day, I started my day drinking juice, hoping to find something to help regain my strength. Slowly, my body began to repair itself and I began to feel better. I know that in conjunction with my doctor’s care, juice changed my life.
How long have you had Juice Nashville and how many bottles of juice do you fill in a given week?
I quit my corporate job in July 2011 and one week later I started “juice. Nashville.” Our very first bottle of juice was sold at the Nashville Farmer’s Market, and we sold out of juice that night. It has been an amazing journey for my husband, daughter, and my team. I tend to be a bit shy with sharing the number of bottles we are pressing each week. But, I can tell you for yesterday’s orders alone, we pressed 800 pounds of fruits and vegetables in one night!
Can you, short hand version!, tell us the benefits of juicing?
Fresh pressed juice is amazing for your body. It is packed with living vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and enzymes. Juicing helps your body easily absorb all of this good stuff without taxing the digestive system. Â In one 16-oz bottle of our juice, we pack in 3-4 pounds of produce (can you imagine seeing all of that laid out on a plate?) Juice is the only form that will allow you to consume large quantities of these crucial ingredients that your body needs to thrive.
I find I can get headaches when I juice, so I add a salad, avocado and sometimes a little protein to my day and I’m fine — better than fine. Are the headaches a detox thing?
When you are drinking juice as a part of a cleanse, the pre-work makes all the difference in the world. I recommend that people start preparing their body at least a week (preferably two weeks) in advance – eliminate the fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks. Fill up with fresh fruit and raw and steamed vegetables. Proper prep work will really help minimize the detox effects (headaches and tiredness) that some experience.
How do you balance family and work? I ask this as someone who can’t figure it out.
To be honest, it is a challenge that I have not mastered.  As an entrepreneur, I work 60 + hours in a week. I want to be super mom and wife, business owner extraordinaire, “World’s Best Boss,” plus Martha Stewart, Beyoncé, and Cesar Milan, all rolled up in one. I am learning to stop placing so much pressure on myself to be perfect balancing it all – I really just do the best I can!
Any future plans for Juice Nashville that you can tell us about?
We are ramping up our juicing capacity. What this means is that we will be adding new cleanse, immunity, and energy juice kits in the (very) near future. We have even bigger plans in the works… so stay posted!
Are you a vegetarian?
I am not a vegetarian, so making sure I am giving my body everything it needs to be strong and healthy is a constant challenge. I find that adding juice has been the best way for me to find balance with my diet.
Where is your favorite place to eat out in Nashville?
My husband and I love to have “mini date nights” at Southside Grill. I love going there because not only is the food really good, the people that work there are super kind and attentive. Plus, they have really nice martinis!
Is there a Nashville event you are most looking forward to this spring?
We are excited about the spring farmer’s markets that are re-opening in May. In addition to Franklin and Nashville, we will be setup at the 12 South and East Nashville Farmer’s Markets. This will open up juice pickup locations during the week for our customers.
Do you have a service or business in Nashville that you rely on and would like to mention?
The unsung heroes in Nashville can be found in the Farmer’s Markets. You will not find a harder working group of people anywhere. Each farmer and vendor is a small business owner. They work tirelessly to make unique, amazing, high quality products to support our community. When we were starting “juice.” we had no idea what we were doing. The farmers and vendors embraced our business and have given advice, support, and encouragement throughout our journey.  There are so many individuals we could list, but it would probably take up two long pages!
What books are on your bedside table?
This is a funny list. Â This is my current Kindle library: Imagine Life with a Well-Behaved Dog, Why She Buys, Share, Retweet, Repeat and the Accidental Entrepreneur.
Any irrational or rational fears?
When I was 16, I came home late past my curfew. My dad looked me in the eye and said, “One day you will have a daughter and she will be just like you.” Now, I have a fifteen year old daughter and my dad’s words haunt me as I remember my teenage self!
Name three things you can’t live without (excluding family, friends or God).
Please don’t take my (crazy) dogs, my iPhone, or my DVR!
To fine out more about juice. Nashville, click here.
A special thanks to Ashley Hylbert who continues to amaze us with her fabulous photography each and every week. For a behind-the-scene look at today’s feature, with more pictures, check out Ashley’s blog, here.
