Meet Jo-Anne Barr of GrassJoy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo-Anne Barr.

Hi Jo-Anne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. in my early 20s to pursue more opportunities. Since then, I’ve built a career in healthcare and have been a registered nurse for about a decade. Before I had my first child, I became really passionate about health, wellness, and clean eating. And over the years, I’ve seen firsthand through my patients in the hospital how much diet can impact chronic illness and healing.

One day, I had a post-surgery patient who refused to eat the Jell-O we offered. She was concerned about the artificial additives and how they might affect her recovery. That moment stuck with me.

At home, I was already making my own gelatin snacks using simple ingredients like grass-fed gelatin and organic fruit juice. There was nothing out there like what I was making at home, especially not something convenient and made with clean ingredients.

That’s how GrassJoy was born. I want this product to land in the hands of families who are trying to find better alternatives and give them a treat that still brings the same joy and nostalgia, just made better.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a food business from scratch has definitely come with a big learning curve. From production to packaging to marketing, I’m doing all of it right now. I’m still in the very early stages, so every step is a learning opportunity.

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing everything — being a mom to two young kids, working as a nurse, and building a business. It can be overwhelming, but seeing repeat customers come back week after week has been such strong validation. It reminds me that I’m building something that resonates and keeps me motivated to keep going.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GrassJoy is a clean-label gelatin snack made with grass-fed gelatin and organic fruit juice — no artificial flavors, dyes, or sweeteners.

What sets us apart is our focus on simplicity and quality. Our snacks are inspired by the classics but made better for families who care about what goes into their bodies.

We’re currently at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market in the Greenery Shed most Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’re building proof of concept with a vision to grow step by step and make GrassJoy available to more families who are looking for better options.

We’re also excited to be coming soon to Fagan’s Farm in Ellenboro, NC—a family-owned farm store that sells organic produce and supports local products like ours.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I’m still in the very beginning stages myself, but one thing I’ve learned quickly is the importance of just starting and taking small steps consistently.

And if what you’re building aligns with your values, it won’t feel like just a job, it’ll energize you to keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://grassjoygelatin.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/grassjoygelatin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grassjoygelatin