Today we’d like to introduce you to Catiesha Pierson.
Hi Catiesha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in about 2013 I found my first juicer at a second hand store , I was on this whole journey of becoming a better version of myself . The way that certain foods (
Fruits, veggies & herbs ) can have such a huge effect on the mind body & soul was so intriguing to me. Being a visual artist and creative my brain started seeing flavor combinations as art. Smoothie bowls as art , chia seed pudding as art , the food is the paint for the canvas creating beautiful masterpieces that are not only gorgeous but original , tasty & beneficial . my creativity always gave me a way to be expressive & my brain is always craving more knowledge so reading & research is always at a constant. I started posting my juice on social media ( Facebook ) & it instantly started to peek people’s interest , wanting to know what it was , the ingredients , the benefits benefits. Long story short eventually people started wanting the juice . The first thing I ever sold was a 32oz bottle of ginger . I started off with plastic cups that I got on Amazon & a handheld label maker to put each ingredient on the cup so people knew what they were drinking. Word of mouth is a real thing and everything just started to become really big really fast . I was working a full time job at the time and a single mother. The moment someone said they wanted an order I would clock out go make the juice reliever it and clock back in . As long as I got my 40 hours in per week I was good. Cold pressed juice started to consume me , I loved it , I loved people’s love for it , people’s interest for wanting to indulge & learn about a healthier lifestyle. while sitting at work ( although I wasn’t supposed to be doing this ) I would do research , I would read books , my job at the time was not at the forefront of my dreams ,everything in my cubicle was a reflection of the things I wanted for my future . Kind of like a vision board & there was one quote in particular that I wrote down from a book ( you are a badass at making money : master the mindset of wealth” by Jen Sincero ) “ you can have excuses or you can have success, but you can’t have both “ very similar to what Arnold Schwarzenegger said “ You can have excuses or results, but you can’t have both” I stuck this on my wall and looked at it and read it daily ! I came up with a list of names for what I would call my business, I designed a logo based on the name I chose , designed branding & purchased stickers for the cups . Ordered my first round of bottles designed a label , created an instagram account and from there things really started taking off cleanses , NFL players reaching out for orders , news reaching out to talk on their shows , at this point I was still making juice out of my kitchen at home I never knew things would take off so fast ! One day I woke up and decided if I don’t go all in , if I don’t give this dream my everything , if I don’t see this through I will never see what can come of it . That morning I didn’t even clock in to work , I just told them it was my last day . Of course there were people who thought I was absolutely crazy , thought my dream of opening a juice bar or selling juice wasn’t going to be successful, kind of saw it as a joke .but me , I had this unexplainable feeling that I just knew deep down that everything was going to work out . I’m a risk taker & I decided to risk it all & honestly I had a product and a brand the rest I was figuring out along the way . . I have a kid , no job , no backup plan , no cushion of money to save me& still have bills to pay . I was making juice posting it & delivering it all around town. You couldn’t go on Facebook without seeing something about the dripping root . I knew I needed a storefront . I Looked at 3 places & the 3rd space was the space of my dreams . Brick building , big windows for great sunlight , tall ceilings , I already had this vision in my head and this was it . I lived just down the street at the time , drove by it for years & one day in perfect timing for me , the previous business was no longer there. I took a photo of it and immediately sent it to my mom like I NEED THIS SPOT! It wasn’t for lease yet and I didn’t even know if it ever would be but then one day I drove by there was a phone number in the window , I called it and there couldn’t have been a more perfect person on the other side of that phone Suzie ! I told Suzie all about my idea & NOT ONCE did she ever display any disbelief in this vision I had , instead she was encouraging , supportive & gave me a chance ! The building had nothing , no walls no bathroom no ceiling no kitchen. I mean this was going to be a very big costly job & here I am a dream , a brand a product , a vision & NO MONEY lol at least not enough for everything I was going to need . I signed the lease not even knowing how I was going to pay the next months rent after rent let alone whole entire buildout of a store front. I used every penny I had to my name cashed out my 401k, my mom quit her job to help support me in starting the business, basically put everything she could into it financially & I got some money from my grandma . Still , not enough . I had my mom start a go fund me & that’s when everything took of , it spread like wild being shared all over socials , people raising money out of their own small local businesses to help support the dream the dripping root , money opening collected by community folk , people with hundred of thousands of followers were sharing it , famous people & before you know it The Dripping Root was fully funded within 30 days & I owe it all to those who believed in seeing this dream
come true & to those who are no longer here with us today . I believe I am where I am today because I remain authentic in everything I do , I remain human , open and honest and tell constantly share the story of the journey . The ups , the downs , not everything is sunshine & rainbows & im not afraid to be open about personal things , I think sharing bits of you & sharing the journey publicly just makes you more you . Makes dreams for others more obtainable and inspires others to go after their own dreams , nothing is linear & no one is perfect but if you never try you will never find out . When you feel good , you glow different & that’s my moto for life !
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?
I don’t think I’ve ever driven on a smooth road & if it was smooth eventually that road gets a little bumpy , maybe rocky , maybe even start to crack . We started off with broken rocky roads to be in with , meaning we dove in head first & started figuring everything out along the way . The pandemic . The civil unrest with the 5th precinct just blocks away. The break ins, the car thefts, the signing the lease on the space next door o my months we opened , because we wanted to expand , the trying to juggle raising a kid while being a single parent & also giving my full attention to the juice bar , the mental toll , the wanting to give up . The unexpected things that just happen. Life
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Dripping Root ?
The Dripping Root is a cold pressed juice bar in south Minneapolis serving original recipes using top of the line cold pressed juicers . , the most vibrant and delicious smoothie bowls , chia seed pudding , overnight oats , the best darn avocado bagel you’ll get & more . The juice bar was created because I felt there was no place like what I was trying to bring to MN . Not only was The Dripping Root the first black owned juice bar in the state , the energy , the vibrancy , the vibe , was also something I felt lacked & I wanted to be the one to create it. Providing a healthier alternative to other options in the area The Dripping Root is a place of community , of non judgment , of love , of art , wellness , plant life , color , design, inspiration, motivation , & so much more . Every single person that walks through the door gets a smile , a should always feel a sense of belonging . Currently we are just a mom & daughter duo making the magic happen
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We have had the chance to work with a ton of places , hotels , yoga studios , private events , catering , really the best way to collaborate or work with us is to shoot us an email or instagram message, if the stars align and our missions are on the same track , if the idea inspires or challenges me , I’m all for it . I love being able to see others visions come true through something we are able to offer.
The best way to support The Dripping Root is by following us on Instagram ( that’s where we post all of our fun events , limited edition items & just stuff ) & the biggest , come show us some love & tell all of your friends family & everyone you know about us. Word of mouth is the best form of marketing .
Pricing:
- • smoothie bowls range from $13 / $17
- • juice ranges from $5 / $15
- Nothing above $20 per item
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thedrippingrootjuicebar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrippingroot?igsh=Ynp5Mzh3cmN2emZ2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheDrippingRoot/
