Growing up watching The Food Network (while most kids watched cartoons), Khrysta Hendricks developed a deep passion for food and beverage. It permeated her soul buried deeply. After graduating from DePaul University graduate and working in a well-paying corporate gig, the persistent gnawing she felt to pursue one of her earliest loves wouldn’t go away, so she acted.
The long-time Chicagoan and native of California recently launched The Love Juice Co., a mobile juice company featuring healthy “drinks that do good” made of natural ingredients that will also serve to educate the community on nutrition and provide additional resources.
N’DIGO recently sat down with Hendricks to find out more about her exciting new business, The Love Juice Co., and her vision for it.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Khyrsta Hendricks?
Khrysta Hendricks: She is a driven and strong woman filled with a passion for exuding love whenever and wherever she can. She is determined and relentless in the pursuit of her goals. She is love.
As a child, what did you imagine you would do for work as an adult?
Almost everything at various times, I wanted to be an EMT. Then I was going to be a fashion designer. Then a singer. There were more, but I’ll spare you. I was all over the place, but Food & Beverage has always been in my life, so it’s a natural fit.
Please tell us about the Love Juice Co.?
The Love Juice Co. is my spin on providing healthy and delicious natural juices to customers. So they will get a healthy juice made of natural and nourishing ingredients. Still, we also bring nutritional information to underserved communities we serve and will employ it while fostering the youth to be a part of something impactful one drink at a time.
What was the inspiration behind the company, and how did you make it happen?
Because I’ve always been especially fond of Food & Beverage, I’d known for a while that I would start my own venture, but I didn’t quite know what or how. I also knew I was tired of working my corporate gig.
By chance, I discovered that a friend had a lot of knowledge about the world of juicing. I came up with a business plan where he’d be the face, and I would run the back end of the business. Yet he reneged on the idea, so I was back to square one. I reconfigured the plan and decided to do it myself instead of waiting on anyone. I’d had some of the ideas of the twists I could add and sprinkle here and there to make the vision stand out and was able to put it all together, and so The Love Juice Co. was born.
In addition to the business, you’re also a mom. So what’s your recipe for balancing it all?
As cliche as it sounds, I truly take it one day at a time. Scheduling is big for me. I schedule almost everything and try to keep organized. Other than that, I remember to give myself grace. No one is perfect. Some days I fall short. In those times, I make sure to start fresh and remind myself how far I’ve come. When I do forget, I start over.
And what do you do for your personal self-care?
My self-care is found in the gym. I like to hit the weights and get those endorphins going. It always makes me feel better and boosts my mood.
What is your favorite part of being a mother?
I love and honor the duty of guiding my daughter from a baby into her womanhood. She’s the best thing ever, and I really enjoy watching her blossom and grow.
Any thoughts on the recent confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court?
On the one hand, there is a sense of pride as a black woman. And being the mother of a little black girl, I am happy she gets to see it happen and knows there are no ceilings. There isn’t anything we can’t achieve. But, on the other hand, it’s like, what took so long? God bless her. Those confirmation hearings were rough, and she handled it all with such grace.
Best advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?
You have to be able to find your niche. Find your thing that will make you stand out. Then plan and execute. And make sure to stay tenacious and stay after your goals. You’ll need those things more and more with every new level you reach.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
I recently saw a post that said, “I don’t want to be popular. I want to be purposeful,” and that really hits home for me.
What’s next for Khrysta Hendricks and The Love Juice Co.?
We want to get better every day. Of course, I want to grow the business. Soon, people will be able to order on food apps and find us in stores and restaurants, and somewhere down the road, I do see a storefront as well.
For more information on The Love Juice Co., please visit them at www.thelovejuiceco.com and follow them on social media at @thelovejuiceco.
