Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen Hansard, Co-Founder of Simple Green Smoothies, located in Brooksville, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Simple Green Smoothies is a plant-based lifestyle brand focused on helping you fuel your passions at SimpleGreenSmoothies.com. We host live events each season to help our community feel their best, naturally. We have a thriving online community (almost 1 million strong!) who use our recipes, meal plans, cookbooks, cleanses, and plant-based meal replacement powder, Protein Smoothie Boost.
Our ad-free food blog creates the best user experience and limits distractions when trying to get serious about your health and happiness. Our customizable meal planner, Rawk the Year, allows users to create weekly meal plans without 500+ plant-based recipes and be a part of our exclusive community where we host live events.
Tell us about yourself
I started drinking smoothies 10 years ago because I was sooooo tired, and we didn't have health insurance. I wanted to boost our immune systems, so we didn't get sick. It worked, and it surprised me to learn how much of our health is connected to nutrition. Since then, I've discovered the more plants I eat, the better I feel and the more awesome stuff I can do. I always start with a daily green smoothie to give me tons of nutrients and energy. This is my most famous recipe: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/best-green-smoothie
I am an Air Force wife, mom of teens, and in my late 30's, using plants to fuel my passions. I've run across the Grand Canyon multiple times in a single day, did a motorcycle adventure race through Morocco with girlfriends, and am a hurricane disaster emergency volunteer. I wouldn't be doing these incredible things if I didn't take care of my body— and eating plants is where it starts every day.
I create recipes on my blog and publish cookbooks to help others see how plant-based can be tasty and so helpful in transforming your health. This lifestyle is about fueling my passion, and as long as I get enough plants to do that, the rest is all good!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I love working with my friends and allowing them the freedom to work from wherever. Some are stay-at-home moms who use this job to fund their home remodels. Others travel the world and work from their laptop. Making that possible for people I truly care about makes me so proud. Simple Green Smoothies is a passion project that empowers millions to live their best life— including everyone that works with me.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's really hard to shut off from work. I love what I do, and there's always something that needs to be done. So I tend to work a lot– and think about work a lot. I try and take a few vacations a year where I'm completely unplugged from electronics. That usually involves hiking, trail running, and RVing with my family.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Don't let business coaches or courses distract you from building your business. We often think we need "just one more course" or an overpriced business coach. Out of the 15 courses and mentor programs I've invested in, only one has delivered for me. The rest were a waste of money and slowed down my own momentum. Trust your gut, work hard and surround yourself with talented and creative friends and workers who can support your dreams.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I have a 14-day free trial to Rawk the Year if anyone is interested in eating more plants, drinking more smoothies, and surrounding yourself with others who are doing the same. They can sign up here: https://rawktheyear.com/
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://simplegreensmoothies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimpleGreenSmoothies/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplegreensmoothies/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenhansard/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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