We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Bowman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jamie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar was driven by a combination of passion, vision, and a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
After my parents passed away and witnessing the profound impact of diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, and a host of other food-borne aliments on my family, I embarked on a mission to foster healthier lifestyles. I believe that what we consume has a profound effect on our overall well-being. I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy delicious, nutritious drinks that not only taste great but also promote a healthy lifestyle.
This passion was the foundational inspiration for BLENDED.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At BLENDED, our mission is to blend health, taste, and community, offering a healthy option to help people feel good from the inside out. Our commitment to this mission sets us apart from others in several key ways.
What Sets Us Apart:
1. Handcrafted Quality: Every smoothie and juice at BLENDED is handcrafted and made to order. We ensure freshness by purchasing our ingredients in small batches frequently. This allows us to provide the highest quality and most delicious products to our customers.
2. Minimizing Waste: We are dedicated to sustainability and minimizing waste. If we make extra, we give it to our customers, which not only prevents waste but also fosters a sense of generosity and community.
3. Vibrant Atmosphere: BLENDED is known for our vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Our employees are often seen dancing and singing while making orders, creating a joyful experience for our customers. We treat everyone like family and strive to have a positive impact on their day.
4. Community Involvement: We actively partner with various organizations to promote healthy habits and contribute positively to our community. This involvement helps us support and inspire our local community in meaningful ways.
Proud Moments and Excitement:
We have won “Best of Georgia” in the juice & smoothie category for the past 3 years! I am incredibly proud of the positive feedback we receive from our customers. Seeing the smiles on their faces and hearing how our smoothies and juices have become a part of their daily routines is immensely rewarding. I am also excited about our continuous efforts to innovate and expand our menu to cater to a wide variety of tastes and dietary preferences.
Journey and Challenges:
Getting to where we are today has not been easy. The journey has been filled with challenges, from sourcing the best ingredients to building a cohesive and passionate team. One of the most significant challenges was establishing our unique identity in a competitive market. We overcame this by staying true to our core values and consistently delivering on our promise of quality, freshness, and community.
Lessons Learned:
Along the way, I have learned several valuable lessons. Firstly, the importance of resilience and adaptability cannot be overstated. The ability to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances has been crucial. Secondly, building a strong, motivated team is essential. Our team is the backbone of BLENDED, and their dedication and enthusiasm are what make our customer experience so special. Lastly, staying connected to our community and customers has helped us grow and evolve in ways that are both meaningful and impactful.
Our Story and What We Want the World to Know:
BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar is more than just a business; it is a reflection of my passion for health, community, and making a positive impact. Our story is one of dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. We want the world to know that at BLENDED, we are not just serving smoothies and juices—we are fostering a community, promoting healthy living, and striving to bring a little more joy and positivity into everyone’s day.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the area, I would be excited to show them some of my favorite local spots including:
Cafe Social House: where we can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and delicious breakfast options including a vegan menu!
Herb’ N Eden: where we can explore their wide range of natural skincare products and learn about the benefits of herbal ingredients!
The Dirty Tea: where we can experience afternoon tea in a plush, cozy setting!
Life Bistro: where we can indulge in some amazing vegan soul food!
BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar: where we can refuel with some fresh, handcrafted smoothies:)
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, who, unfortunately, passed away before BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar was created. Though they are no longer with us, their influence and teachings have profoundly shaped the person I am today and the values upon which BLENDED is built.
My parents instilled in me a legacy of strength, a commitment to hard work, and the importance of kindness and community. Their values and principles continue to guide me every day. They taught me to pursue my dreams with dedication and integrity, and these lessons have been the foundation upon which BLENDED stands.
Even though they could not witness the creation and growth of BLENDED, I feel their presence and encouragement in everything I do. Their belief in me and their endless support, even in their absence, have been a driving force behind my determination and success. Their memory inspires me to create a business that not only thrives but also makes a positive impact on the lives of others.
I dedicate this shoutout to my parents with deep love and gratitude. Their legacy lives on in BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar, in every handcrafted smoothie, and in our commitment to community and health. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being my guiding stars and my everlasting inspiration.
Website: https://www.blendedbars.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blendedbars