Meet Tangela Lofton | JBM CEO & Regional Director FAMU SBDC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tangela Lofton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tangela, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea behind the business was inspired by two things: my passion for health and wellness, and the vibrant culture of my hometown, Miami, Florida. I created The Juice Bar Miami to promote empowerment through health and wellness for everyone, sharing my experience from Miami with tropical and exotic fruits.

The menu items are carefully crafted with intentional ingredients, and the location of The Juice Bar Miami is also significant. I chose the location in Tallahassee based on the popular art district, Wynwood, in Miami.

I believed that having the juice bar located in Railroad Square in the art district would complement the environment very well. It’s a great landmark, situated in the middle of both universities and enriched with diversity.

The mission of Juice Bar Miami is to have a positive impact on our community and environment. We believe that everyone deserves access to fresh, vibrant flavors and nourishing ingredients. Going forward, we envision our brand becoming synonymous with health, vitality, and happiness as we continue to expand our offerings with new products that showcase the benefits of a healthy, natural, and nutritious lifestyle.

We are committed to being mindful and present in every step of our journey as we strive to build a business that is sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the founder and CEO of Juice Bar Miami (JBM), the only black woman-owned juice bar in Tallahassee, FL. You may wonder where the name came from. I am originally from Miami, Florida, and relocated to Tallahassee to attend Florida A&M University, where I graduated in 2006.

Juice Bar Miami embodies my love for health and wellness and the vibrant culture of South Florida. Our mission is to bring Miami’s tropical flavors and fresh ingredients to the streets of Florida. We want our customers to experience the authentic taste and healthy goodness that define this vibrant city. We are passionate about making it easy, convenient, and fun for everyone to enjoy the best that Caribbean culture offers. We strive to serve our community by providing healthy, freshly squeezed juices that tantalize the taste buds and naturally fuel and nourish the body. We believe in using only the freshest ingredients in our exciting range of juices, smoothies, and bowls, ensuring that our customers never have to worry about fillers or additives. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing pick-me-up at the end of a busy day or an energizing start to your morning, we’re committed to supporting you with what you need to thrive and live optimally.

I am most proud of being able to turn my vision into a reality and share it with others, and they embrace it. But I would not have made it this far by giving up. The entrepreneurship journey is not easy, especially for minorities like myself, but the rewards are priceless.

I am also honored to serve in the role of Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at FAMU. The Florida SBDC at FAMU serves 8 counties within the northwest Florida region. We work with existing and startup small businesses to help them grow and compete in today’s global economy. Florida SBDCs are available to assist during every business life cycle phase. The improvements that result from our direct support of our client’s activities lead to job creation, investments, and economic growth for communities throughout northwest Florida. I am now a resource to small business owners like myself throughout the Big Bend region to help them overcome many of the challenges that we business owners face, like access to capital.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned, and I consistently remind myself every day, is that I am not alone. Small businesses make up more than 90% of businesses in Florida, and we work daily to boost the economy.

Ultimately, Juice Bar Miami aims to inspire others to reach for their dreams and live life to the fullest.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my bestie was in town, here’s an itinerary:

Monday
Hotel: AC Hotel
8am – coffee at Lucky Goat on Adams
12:00 pm lunch at Early’s
5:00pm dinner at Black Radish

Tuesday
9:00am – coffee at RedEye on Thomasville Road
12:00pm – Lunch at Railroad Square Food Hall (Juice Bar Miami & Pineappetite
2:00pm Tallahassee Museum
5:30pm Dinner at my place
7:00pm Workout at Kaos

Wednesday
8:00am Coffee at Frother’s Daughter’s
12:00pm FAMU Campus Tour
5:30pm Happy Hour at AC Hotel

Thursday
11:00 am Fresh Pressed Juice from Juice Bar Miami
12:00 pm FSU Campus Tour
6:00 pm Yoga Class

Friday
12:00 pm Lunch at JoEllen’s
6:00 pm Dinner at the Monroe

Saturday
8:00 am Kaos Group Training Session
11:00 am Tallahassee Farmer Market

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for my grandmother, who has been an incredibly uplifting presence in my life. Throughout my upbringing, she imparted invaluable lessons about the significance of family, compassion, the healing properties of different herbs, and their medicinal uses. Her actions and guidance have truly shaped me into the person I am today.

Instagram: thejuicebarmiami