We recently connected with Rachelle Stewart and have shared our conversation below.

Rachelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Growing up on the farm, I was surrounded by natural foods coming from planted fruits and vegetables grown on the huge farmland. Everything was vibrant and full of color. My family is known to eat good from “soul food” to “good cooking.” Some mornings, we would wake up to the sweet aroma of the harvest greens with the turkey necks brewing on the fire stove. We’d also get our protein from cows, pigs, and chickens that were raised on the farm.

My family were big hunters as well, so they’d go out hunt, and we’d eat more deer, rabbit, and turkey.
There was no layout of what “eating healthy” meant. As time passed, I’d watch my family, for many years, struggle with obesity. Many suffered heart attacks, strokes. Diabetes, high blood pressure, all while steadily filling their pillboxes full of medications for high cholesterol only to counteract with reverse effects from the high blood pressure medications.

As I grew older, I’d find myself participating in sports to stay active. I loved everything about healthy eating and staying active. It truly allowed me to feel good about myself. Don’t get me wrong, the pork chops smothered in brown gravy tasted amazing but for some reason, after eating, I would always feel tired, sluggish, and lazy.

I continued my journey through college playing basketball and earning a degree in Exercise Science. My love for wellness grew. As a result, juicing became an alternative to health as I discovered an easier, faster, tastier way to consume fruits and vegetables in order to absorb essential nutrients in the body that I was not getting on a daily basis.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Rachelle Stewart is a 38-year old, Richmond, VA native that started her juicing business during Covid in 2020. I grew up on a farm with natural fruits and vegetables in which I at the time, knew that was the only source of food.

I graduated from LONGWOOD University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology all while playing collegiate basketball for the university. The following year, 2010, I enlisted into the United States Air Force serving, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base serving as an Aerovac Medical Technician.

Once being honorably discharged from the Air Force, I went back to school in 2018 to obtain a Masters of Business degree in which I received in September of 2020.

These three events, I would say have been the most highlights of my life and career. I currently am an associate board member for a non-non profit LGBTQ organization called Side by Side in which we are dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish.

I currently work for a non-profit organization called US Vets in which we house veterans experiencing homelessness. It has been a truly rewarding job being that I am a veteran who have experienced homelessness..

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Radest Strength, LLC has had many opportunities in which we set up events for our youth and educate them on the importance of maintaining good health and what that looks like. We get to share our juice with the youth at football games, summer camps, and other events for our youth in the community of Richmond, VA and surrounding counties.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social Media has been an amazing platform in helping expand Radest Strength, LLC. Customers are able to write and leave reviews on both Facebook and Instagram pages. These platforms have allowed our business to grow with over 2000 followers in a short period of time.

I would tell any new business owner or start up company that in order to see value from your social media platforms is to POST POST POST. Be authentic and relatable with your audience. Business will come to you. The more people see your business, the more that you share your story, success will come. Social Media will help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radeststrength.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radeststrengthjuice
• Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/radeststrength

Image Credits

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