Charlayne Redmon and her husband Dwayne first started their business when they launched CFO to Small Business providing financial consulting services to small business owners. Along with their four children, they began entertaining the idea of expanding into the healthy food industry and becoming franchise owners. They now own 20 Jamba Juice franchises in San Francisco Bay Area.
Dwayne initially acquired a contract with the freshly-squeezed juice brand through CFO to Small Business. He expressed his family’s interest in ownership when Jamba Juice made the decision to sell off 16 corporate locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dwayne made an offer to purchase all 16, bought additional two locations from private individuals, and built two more from the scratch.
The Redmons created Valley Juice Co., LLC to protect their financial backers, their investments, business partners and the Director of Operations. Like every business, there are initial setbacks before it begins to blossom.
RELATED STORIES
“None of us had ever worked at a Jamba Juice. In addition, the Director of Operations was coming from an extensive background at a top hamburger franchise brand which was very different,” Charlayne told Black Enterprise.
She said because the locations they purchased were corporate-run locations, those working at such locations didn’t have much experience. At a point, Charlayne said they had to “clean house” and bring in people that would perform to their satisfaction.
The pandemic also affected business operations, resulting in the shutdown of some corporate locations. The Redmons also contemplated signing up for the paycheck protection program. Fortunately, all of their locations are now back up and running, the couple’s youngest child, Philip, said.
They are hoping to spread their business but within the healthy food industry and are optimistic that more opportunities will become available. Philip and his mom Charlayne credit the family’s close ties for the success of the business. Philip said they always learn from each other which helps in the growth of the business.
“I’m so happy because I always wanted to have something for the family. We wanted to build something the children could take over. We wanted to open a world of possibilities for them. Seeing something other than just getting a traditional 9-5 and a pension,” Charlayne said.
