Exploring Life & Business with Tahesha and Joseph Evans of Kwench Juice Cafe Raleigh

We have always talked about establishing a legacy for our family and one facet of that legacy is wealth creation through the ownership of businesses. In 2015 we entered the entrepreneurial world by buying a franchise that focuses on delivering STEM concepts to children through workshops, camps, and after-school programs. Owning and operating that business taught us many things about the world of entrepreneurship, creating partnerships, and building a brand. It also created a thirst to try more.

Over the last few years, we focused on improving our health by working out and eating healthier, and through these activities noticed there was a gap in healthy nutrition offerings in our community. In our daily path from the gym to carpool to work and to sports practices, we didn’t have many options to grab something quick and healthy. Our backgrounds in human resources, engineering, process improvement, and market intelligence, along with our passion for entrepreneurship inspired us to fill the gap. We spent about a year doing research on different smoothie companies to determine which had the healthiest options and a good business model.

At Kwench, we share our passion for nutrition, vibrant health, and happiness every day, in every way. Fresh fruits and vegetables are prepped every day in order to ensure optimal taste and health benefits. We do not use sugars or artificial sweeteners in our products. Our responsibility is to provide top-quality fresh products and excellent customer service. The effect of our product on the health and well-being of our customers is the key. A major goal of ours is to serve and be active in the community while making a difference every day. The impact of our business practices and choices are great rewards for the environment and our community.

In our cafe, you will find good food, good music, and good vibes.

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?
We opened in August 2019, not too long before the pandemic started, During the time when our business was supposed to be ramping up the shutdown happened. We did not want to close and lose our momentum, so we pivoted quickly. We got an App developed so we could take online orders and started offering curbside pickup. During this time, we also began doing group neighborhood deliveries and drop-offs to Dr. offices. We focused on marketing the health benefits to the body and immune system during this critical time. We’ve dealt with delivery delays and shortages due to supply chain issues and limited staff. Through all of this, it has made us stronger as a business and as owners. We know now more than ever that believing in yourself and being passionate about what you do is a strong force that will excel you toward your goals.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our Cafe is bright, upbeat and the smell of fresh fruit hits you when walking in the door. Our difference is the made-to-order freshness. The fresh fruits and vegetables we use to make our drinks are displayed on the wall as colorful art. Customers see us grab the fruit/vegetable and make their drink right in front of them. We are dairy-free and do not add any sugars or artificial sweeteners. Our store is very clean and we sanitize everything after each use so there is no cross-contamination or possibility of allergen spread. Everything is made fresh, so anything can be customized; additional ingredients can be added at no additional charge.

Our customer service sets us apart from others. After the first visit, we know most of our customers’ names and/or orders. We talk to them and get to know them and their preferences so we can make recommendations based on their taste profile or needs for the day. Our staff is very knowledgeable about our menu and the benefits of each fruit, vegetable, and superfood. We love what we do and it shows. We have a unique, custom playlist with a large variety of songs so there isn’t a repeat within a week. You will often find staff and customers singing, dancing and enjoying the throwbacks. We like to say “come for the drink, stay for the vibe”.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
We are in the business of keeping people healthy by providing good nutrition, so we will continue to grow and do more. People are focusing on keeping their immune systems’ strong and take in healthier food options from a trusted source. We have created something that people rely on and we have a responsibility to continue to serve. We plan to expand the Kwench brand in our area soon.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kwenchraleigh.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kwenchjuiceraleigh
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kwenchjuiceraleigh
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kwenchjuiceraleigh