We recently connected with Brendan Fung and have shared our conversation below.

Brendan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.

It’s incorrectly assumed by both consumers and businesses that large corporations are the only ones who can make meaningful change. And while they hold the lion’s share of wealth and ability, these are certainly not the only organizations that can work towards a better world. For Squeeze, this comes in the form of our Juice of the Month. Each month, a newly crafted cold-pressed juice is put on the menu, alongside a nonprofit partner, who receives 50% of the proceeds from sales of said juice. For us, it’s about connecting to small, local charities who are doing boots-on-the-ground work in our neighborhoods. We look to empower them with not just financial provisions, but also increased community awareness. In our first year, we donated over $1,000 of profits to our monthly partners and are on track to double that in 2022. Sure, this may not seem like a massive sum, but even if we can help affect change in one person, we have succeeded in our mission.

Brendan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In 2020, I started an LLC called Six Red Envelopes, whose primary goal is to create the places and experiences that foster exciting and unique communities. As an avid traveller and adventurer, I have had the privilege of encountering myriad astounding cultures, people, and food across the globe. After a trip to Sayulita, Mexico, I was entranced with the prominence of fresh, affordable, and pure cold-pressed juice. Having come back to Colorado, I recognized a void in the market for a service that represented product at its core. Not as a dietary supplement or symbol of status, but as a centrifuge for a community of people who value their health, their earth, and each other. Thus, Squeeze Juicery was born as Six Red Envelope’s first venture.

Squeeze is Denver’s first and only made-to-order, beautifully crafted, immensely nutritious, and accessible cold-pressed-juice. Served from a window on the street, our space and experience focus on our community and bringing them together under a shared belief in the power of nutrition.

In late 2021, Loon Hill came to fruition as Six Red Envelope’s second venture, this time shifting the perspective of herbal tea from a secondary afterthought to centerstage. Our variety of loose-leaf tea is specifically curated to focus on a series of benefits from deeper sleep to more acute energy.

As time goes on, our goal at Six Red Envelopes is to continue sharing the beauties of the world with our local communities.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

As Squeeze settles into the natural ebb and flow of business, we looked to proactively bring more to our community, beyond cold-pressed juice. Not only did we expand out menu to include food and wellness shots, but we also brought on small-business partners to create a newly conceptualized health market.

From a business perspective, there are the obvious financial rewards of commission structures. More importantly, is that Squeeze not only supports other small local businesses, but we solidify our grounding in the space. A multitude of offerings, services, and stories has drawn in larger consumer bases, bringing visibility to our brand and increased brand loyalty. More than the obvious revenue from the supplemental product, these variations has tremendously strengthened our own business.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Authenticity. Ownership. Community. These are the three words that have carried Squeeze through the highs and lows from day one until today, and hopefully well into the future. In an industry that touts health and wellness about all else, the need to be transparent, knowledgeable, and honest holds essential weight in the overall success of the business.

Coming into food and beverage with absolutely zero prior experience or network, it was difficult to gain the foothold and create loyalty between Squeeze and the market. I focused on each individual interaction, treating it with gravitas and importance, ensuring that Squeeze left a positive mark on those I interacted with. Once consumers started to trust me, it was a quick transition to other entrepreneurs, business owners, and heavy-hitters in the industry.

My advice? Start small. Build your reputation with one person at a time and by practicing authenticity, ownership, and community,  the rest will come naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.squeezejuicery.co
• Instagram: @squeezejuiceryco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanfung/