A story of real and raw entrepreneurship
It is always easier to veer on the safe side rather than take a risk. Amanda Hehr knew entrepreneurship was in her blood but always seemed to find an excuse any time a new business opportunity presented itself. Amanda was starting a family, working on her MBA and had an amazing job with a wearable medical tech company (Orpyx). Amanda’s co-workers and friends saw no clear reason for her to leave the life she knew, but Amanda wanted more. She was working for Orpyx part-time while completing her MBA. At work Amanda had become so inspired by her boss who essentially founded a company and created something out of nothing. Working under her boss, drew out Amanda’s entrepreneurial spirit. Amanda knew it was time to stop making excuses and take a risk regardless of what others thought.
“Everyone thought I was a big idiot.” *
Amanda had thought of the idea of cold pressed juice while travelling with Orpyx Medical Technologies. Amanda noticed a juice trend forming overseas but realized it had not yet come to her home back in Calgary. Amanda was already an avid juice presser and thought that perhaps juicing would be her big entrepreneurial break. Amanda promptly quit her job and her co-workers couldn’t understand why. Many though she was crazy but it was her boss who offered nothing but support and best wishes.
Her first step in creating her business was to find a good partner. Amanda was looking for someone to hold her accountable and essentially stop her from backing out. She knew the perfect match for the business would be Naomi Le Bihan. Although the two new business owners had complimentary skills, neither had any background in food service or handling. It was quite a learning curve for Naomi and Amanda but after much hard work Cru Cold-Pressed Juice was formed. Cru means “raw” in french and this business has shown nothing but real and raw entrepreneurship. They value their customers and work around the clock to ensure only the best ingredients are used.
Why should juice cost me $12?
For those who have gone to buy cold pressed juice it is no secret that this stuff does not come cheap. The reason these juices are priced from $7-$12 is because there are essentially 2–5 pounds of produce in each bottle. Cold pressed juice does not use heat in the production process and therefore has lower sugar contents. The juices have a shelf life of 5–7 days whereas juice from the supermarket has an average shelf life of 4–6 months! It may seem pricey, but Amanda explains that for clients who juice at home and buy the ingredients they never complain about the price.
It seems there is quite a trend with cold pressed juices evolving. What does this mean for Cru? Amanda and Naomi are excited for the new competition. They believe that the more awareness brought to cold press juice will inevitably lift the entire product category as a whole.
Do good, feel good
“I just want to look back and say I tried it, I did it and if I failed, I failed.” Amanda encompasses a true entrepreneurial spirit. She never believed Cru juice would take off the way it did but she is so happy with the result. Cru has never paid for marketing or advertising. Users generate their marketing material and this speaks to the product segment they have created. Rather than planning ridged timelines Amanda and Naomi are giving up control and following their brands organic path.
Things to consider
If you are an entrepreneur here are some things to consider:
- Find a partner with complimentary skills to your own
- Allow customers to become brand ambassadors (this will save your advertising budget)
- Look for trends evolving in other countries that have not yet been brought to market in your home country or city
Here is how you can learn more about Cru Cold Pressed Juice:
