Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Costa.
Hi Francesca, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Francesca and together with my fiance, Fredy, we launched Cranky Carrot Juice Co. in May of 2020. Prior to that, I spent years working for companies whose vision did not align with my own. It was exhausting and it felt like I was wasting my passion and hard work.
Besides the fact that I was constantly exploited and harassed by superiors, I often went to sleep wondering if my work was really meaningful and found myself realizing I wasn’t positively contributing to my community or making a difference in my small part of the world.
My experience with corrupted HR managers and slimy business owners left me never wanting to work for anyone ever again but, most importantly, I wanted to work for a brand that I could wholeheartedly believe in so I created my own.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a lot more successful and rewarding than we ever imagined but there have been definitely a few bumps in the road!
One of my biggest struggles has been to learn to work with my significant other. I was not prepared for how hard it would be. When you work with others, you can have a bad work day or someone might make a mistake at work but when you go home, it’s pretty much out of sight, out of mind. You can unwind with your partner and vent about your day. When you work with your SO, you still have to stare at him over dinner after you’ve just argued about using the wrong colored apples for a juice recipe.
Another struggle has been balancing work and our life. I still work full time as a nutritionist at a local government agency and run the business. I am also pursuing my Registered Dietitian license so I am currently back in school. Trying to find time in between to cook, clean, work out, relax, take care of and play with our dogs… it’s exhausting! We haven’t been able to keep up with our fitness routine and that in itself takes a huge toll on our mental health.
There have been many nights where I’ll cry myself to sleep because I want to “be normal” and be able to go out with my friends but we have to be up at 5 am for a market the next day. We give up things like putting up a Christmas tree so that we can save for our store. We drive past restaurants that we never have time to try. They say you become a business owner so you can make your own schedule and be free but I’ve never been more exhausted than I am now.
Nothing worth having comes easy though! Growth is not meant to be comfortable and we are appreciating every moment of this journey. We are certain the long days and nights and sacrifices will be worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cranky Carrot Juice Co. . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We offer cold-pressed juices, shots, nut milk & cold brew lattes as well as nutritional counseling services.
We sell our juices at farmer’s markets and events but, most importantly, we strive to provide our community with vital education on nutrition and the power it has over our health and wellness. Through unique recipes, we teach our customers that eating healthy does not have to be boring and it does not mean giving up your favorite or cultural foods but rather modifying and using real, whole-food ingredients.
I believe what sets us apart is my experience and knowledge in the nutritional field. We are able to apply this knowledge to create delicious “better for you” food options and are able to tailor recipes and products to specific health goals and concerns. I am proud to run a business that isn’t just focused on selling a product but makes a positive difference in the community by helping others achieve a healthier lifestyle through nutrition education.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe there is no opportunity without risk! When I moved to Texas, I left behind a six-figure job, a fancy car, and an apartment on the beach. Most importantly, I left behind my family and friends. When I got here, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in life and felt pretty depleted from the toxic work environments I had left behind.
The thought of continuing down that road made me miserable. I rediscovered my passion for nutrition and decided to enter a new field. I enrolled back in school, spent my entire savings to launch our business, and took on a job that paid 50% less of what I was used to making. The outcome? Our business made six figures in the first full year.
Although we are nowhere close to where we want to be, we can finally see a path and future that feels rewarding.
Pricing:
- Cold Pressed Juice $8
- 6 Packs $44
- Juice Cleanses $98-$145
- Nutritional Counseling Session $60
- Delivery Fees $5-$15
Contact Info:
- Email: info@crankycarrotjuice.co
- Website: https://msha.ke/crankycarrotjuiceco/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/crankycarrotjuiceco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/crankycarrotjuiceco
