Today we’d like to introduce you to LaKeasha Brown.
LaKeasha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
1987 Juices was started during my time working corporate. It started in my kitchen while I taught fitness classes on the weekend (It was my way of meeting new people whenever I would move to a new city. (Get certified, teach and make friends). I originally made juices to heal myself of acne and bad digestive issues. However, students started noticing the difference and began requesting I make juices for them.
So, I started selling them in jugs, with my name across the top. Again, it was my way of introducing myself to people. It grew to formulated and intentional cleanse packages based on need. Whenever someone would ask if I could make something for bloat or for IBS, I’d continue to add flavors to meet the ailment.
After teaching and making juice for about two years, I was offered another position with the company but loved the community I was building. So, I transitioned into a property manager position at Crenshaw Self Storage on Crenshaw Blvd here in Los Angeles, the owner Mr. Henry was awesome. He allowed me to make juices and ship from the business while living on top of the office in a two-bedroom apartment and making enough money to cover my personal expenses.
Once I was able to make enough money to pay rent on my own place, I gave my position to a tenant who really needed a place to stay and jumped into being an entrepreneur full time. I’ve had to do small jobs throughout the years in order to sacrifice not paying myself in order to reinvest into my company but it’s always been worth it.
I then changed my business name from #LaKeashaFIT to 1987 Juices, after the year I was born. This is a reminder that “Every year is my year and to move on my time” This is also a suggestion and my hope for everyone who consumes our product. To be a force of nature on their own time.
Since then, I’ve put every ounce of passion into pressing. I’ve been able to grow a team and open a mall location pre-covid. After being in the mall, I felt restricted. So, I then transitioned out of it to gain freedom in how I serve and build better. (This is where Covid became an absolute blessing.)
Our branding, websites, events, logo and feel have all been personally designed by me. Built with a community of creators in mind with juice crafted with their wellness at the forefront. The music notes on each bottle are a nod to our sound baths hosted online and in person, my love for music and time spent within the industry, and my belief in the power of healing through sound. My goal is to make our product relevant, accessible and habitual among our community while providing tools and resources to follow your passions. Every day, the goal has been to operate within that mention consistently.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the moment, it hasn’t always been smooth but looking back at it, it certainly has. Everything I’ve gone through needed to happen in order to get the company where it is today. Believing that there is no such thing as failure, but an opportunity to do something better will remind you of your capabilities.
Dealing with death of loved ones, being a solopreneur, and learning how to scale within a business that you’ve created yourself can be tolling when it’s just you. But the moment you learn how to ask the right questions, research progressively and build embracing uncertainty nothing will ever be a struggle. It WILL be uncomfortable but the only one who can stop you is you.
Please tell us about 1987 Juices.
1987 Juices is a wellness company specializing in 1-5 day cleanses and community events and initiatives. We’re known for our bi-monthly fitness events, highlighting the creative community, and partnering with brands to provide wellness and business resources at low or no cost. What I’m most proud of is how our product has healed our customers from ailments and how our story has motivated others to make juicing a priority and success mandatory for their lives.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood from memory was living in Conway, South Carolina with my grandmother. I’m the oldest of 10 but was raised as an only child since my parents were young. She raised me to stay away from soda, to believe grapes were candy and that cooking without salt was completely normal. Those stipulations on her own health have completely shaped my eating habits today.
Pricing:
- Bottles of Juice range from $7-$10
- Juice Packs and Bundles range from $36-220
- Merch ranges from $5-$25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.1987juices.com
- Phone: 747-238-4012
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/1987juices
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/1987juices
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