How Jerri Evans Took Her Business Online During the Pandemic

WP headshot (17)

When Jerri was a teenager, her life turned upside once her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Her mother completely transformed the family’s way of living through food. After Jerri’s mom passed, Jerri left a stable career to go back home. That’s when she decided to continue her mother’s legacy, and forge her own. 

Today, we sit down with Jerri Evans, owner of Turning Natural, a juice bar that provides fresh and natural food to urban communities in the DC area, as well as online. She shares her advice for starting a store, why she had trouble getting funding, how she found her team, and so much more. 

“I wanted to be able to provide something that was cool, fun and accessible to people. And so that’s how I birthed the idea of juicing, but I want you to have something good that you’re putting in.” – Jerri Evans


If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

This week’s takeaways from Entreprenista:

  • Jerri shares when she knew it was time to start Turning Natural (2:42)
  • Jerri talks about the first steps she took in business (9:27)
  • Jerri gives advice for brick and mortar businesses (15:15)
  • Jerri explains why she didn’t get funding (20:31)
  • Jerri shares why she actually opened multiple locations (22:31)
  • Jerri talks about finding her team (27:59)
  • Jerri discusses figuring out the process of working with investors (38:51)
  • What being an Entreprenista means to Jerri (46:09)

Resources Mentioned:

Our Favorite Quotes:

  • “That’s not just your mother, it’s your best friend, it’s your gossip buddy. She’s a little bit of everything to you.” – Jerri Evans 
  • “I quit my job, right? But I had to go back to work, because you have to finance this thing.” – Jerri Evans
  • “You’re tasked with being the visionary. And being the visionary, sometimes it’s a very isolating space.” – Jerri Evans

This episode was made possible by our friends at Square, who are passionate about empowering women to Just Get Started with their business idea. Square is offering Entreprenista listeners 20% off your first POS hardware device. Click here for more.

Connect with Jerri Evans:

If you’re looking to take your business to the next level:

Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and MORE!

Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate your every step, and with whom you can share the candid reality of building a business from scratch.

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Become An Entreprenista!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast – the most fun business meeting for female founders, by female founders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and for more exclusive content, tips, and insight, join the Entreprenistas Facebook group and visit the SocialFly website.

Share it!

Posted in
Tags

Leave a Comment





Rita Richa Helps Businesses Tell Their Stories Through Podcasting

A brief introduction about Rita and her business: Rita Richa is the founder and executive Producer of Reignite Media. Rita has an extensive background in developing B2B podcasts, content-based networking, and brand strength capitalization. Her clients have been known to classify her as an innovator/visionary, passionate about developing podcasts, scripts, storyboards, social media content, and…

Courtney Todd’s Marketing Agency Increases Brand’s Visibility

Hi, Courtney! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Courtney, Fractional CMO + Creative Director of Umlaut Agency. I help brands drive top-line growth and reduce cost per customer by increasing brand visibility and building stronger customer relationships. I also run a creative agency that focuses on branding and website…

Amy Rees Inspires Women Through Art With Personality Plates

“Find somebody to work with as a small business owner. I’m not taking out loans. I don’t have big funding. You really have to pick and choose where you want to invest in your business, but you do have to invest somewhere.” Struggling with feelings of neglect and loneliness in an unhappy marriage, Amy Rees…

Ramy Brook Sharp’s Journey to Building and Scaling a Fashion Empire

“As the leader, it all starts at the top. If you want a culture where people are kind to each other and people are understanding, you have to be that person.” Ramy Brook Sharp is the founder and CEO of Ramy Brook, a contemporary women’s fashion brand known for its chic and versatile designs. Launched…

Sharon Ringier’s Magazine is Curated Exclusively for Women Entrepreneurs

A brief introduction about Sharon and her business: Sharon Ringier is a highly accomplished and influential entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and philanthropist who has dedicated her life to empowering and supporting women in their personal and professional pursuits. With over 20 years of experience in the events planning industry, Sharon has become widely known for her…

Beth Nydick Amplifies Media Exposure Into Profitable Opportunities for Businesses

A brief introduction about Beth and her business: Beth Nydick, the founder of The F.A.M.E. LAB, is the go-to media expert for coaches, experts, and authors seeking to amplify their brand presence. Known for her strategic approach and media expertise, Beth transforms media exposure into lucrative opportunities, ensuring her clients don’t just shine in the…

Michelle Hsiao’s Consultancy Firm Helps Product-Based Businesses Thrive

A brief introduction about Michelle and her business: Michelle Hsiao is the CEO/Founder of Revenue Growth Advisors, a consultancy for product-based businesses in retail, e-commerce, and wholesale/DTC brands. Previously she led merchandising teams as a Senior Vice President with Boscov’s Department Store, Group Vice President for Macy’s and Chief Merchant/Head of E-commerce for an online…

Networking Without the Nerves: Tips for Authentic Connections

“The power of networking, you never know. There could be just that one person that you connect with who then has somebody else that they know and it’s a snowball effect.”- Richelle Pena  Today’s Startups in Stilettos has a very special minisode dedicated to the power of networking. Tune in to hear Carlyn Bushman and…

Mary Seats Fosters Community With Her Co-Working Space for Women, The Bakery CoWork

“I needed support, community, someone to reach their hand down and pull me up. And now I’m always reaching my hand down to pull someone else up.” Mary Seats is the founder of The Icing Agency and The Bakery CoWork, a co-working space designed for women entrepreneurs. From a young age, Mary showcased her entrepreneurial…

Masi Chukwuemeka’s Businesses Are All About Social Media Management and Storytelling

Hi, Masi! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: My name is Nmasichi Chinenye Chukwuemeka, but I go by Masi. I am the founder of Masi Brands and TribesAndHistory. Masi Brands is a digital branding agency located in Atlanta and our services include web design, social media management, and graphics design. Our…

Elizabeth Milian’s Legal Services Help Entrepreneurs Protect Their Brands

Hi, Elizabeth! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Elizabeth! I am a first generation professional and passionate trademark attorney, entrepreneur, and above all else, a devoted mother, who is actively shaping the world she wants her children to inherit through her work and advocacy. I am the Founder and…

Kira La Forgia Provides HR Services for Businesses Without the Corporate Feel

Hi, Kira! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Kira. With a decade of experience in People Operations in the corporate world, I am no stranger to the sensitive issues involved in the human side of running a business. There’s a lot to learn from hiring, onboarding, training, and managing…

How Dr. Sophia Yen is Changing the Landscape of Women’s Healthcare

“One in five women with menopause have considered dropping out of work, have foregone promotion. And we are just at the top of our game and to take us out at 50 is not okay. It’s about empowering women to be the best that we can possibly be.” When Dr. Sophia Yen co-founded Pandia Health,…

Sherry Saeedi is Transforming the Music Industry With Her VC Startup

“Anything is possible. It’s just about believing in yourself, because that will lead everything.” Sherry Saeedi is the founder and CEO of Verswire, a venture capital music startup. Growing up on welfare, Sherry’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. At just six years old, she was selling coupon booklets to her neighbors and it was that determination…

Danielle Laurent’s Business Offers HR Expertise for Tech Startups

Hi, Danielle! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Danielle. Founder’s HR Lab offers Fractional CHRO services and HR consulting designed specifically for tech startups. We provide flexible, executive-level HR expertise without the cost or commitment of hiring a full-time executive. More than just an HR service provider — we…