“Get used to being uncomfortable. You have to feel uncomfortable to get to new levels, because it’s something you haven’t done before. It’s ok to feel uncomfortable. That means you’re doing something right.” (Labria Strong)
Sisters Shaquasia Coleman and Labria Strong are co-owners of Juice Crush juice bar in Conway. They are both from Myrtle Beach and attended the University of South Carolina (USC). Shaquasia earned a degree in public relations, and later, two masters of business administration degrees, and Labria earned a degree in public health. Labria is also a real estate agent on the Grand Strand.
Shaquasia Coleman and Labria Strong originally began mixing juices and smoothies for their mother when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. As a result of chemo treatments, their mother had little appetite. “She would drink, but not eat. And we wanted to make sure she was getting her nutrients somehow,” Strong said. After their mother transitioned in 2018, the sisters continued juicing because of all they benefits they had learned about in researching for their mother’s needs.
When the COVID pandemic began in 2020, “all our family and friends decided they also wanted our juices and smoothies, so we went from there,” said Strong. The sisters consulted with a sorority sister who is a doctor of internal medicine about how to adapt the recipes so each juice offers specific benefits. Coleman and Strong opened Juice Crush in May 2020 and moved into their Conway storefront September 2021.
The sisters’ background in property management, which began when they were attending University of South Carolina, was a foundation for their careers as entrepreneurs. “I worked my way up throughout undergrad from a maintenance girl outside, to a leasing manager, to assistant property manager, to working at the corporate level,” said Coleman.
Strong worked for her sister at the property management company as well, which was the origin of her real estate career. “We were managing million-dollar assets and making sure everything was running smoothly on the property side, so that’s helped us tremendously in business,” said Coleman.
Coleman and Strong said customer service and time management are key to success as an entrepreneur. “People buy people,” said Strong. “People will come back to you if you make them feel good, like you are being attentive to their needs. We make sure we speak to everyone who comes in. We make sure that if they decide to spend their money here, they feel it’s worth it.” Coleman said time management is also essential. “We know that time is valuable not only for the customer but for us as well. Make sure you’re getting things done in an orderly fashion.”
Their advice? “Being a creative, you can’t worry about anyone judging you,” said Coleman. “You have to push the envelope and continue to do it until it sticks. And extend yourself grace. Lots of grace.”
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Shaquasia Coleman and Labria Strong Interview
