Today we’d like to introduce you to Alecia Petroze.
Hi Alecia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I founded Juniper Seed in 2022. I started with plant-based eating in 2019 to lessen my carbon footprint. What began as a small change to impact the environment has now become a lifestyle. In the early months of 2022, I was prompted by a family member to meal prep for her, as she had just moved back to the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area and realized how few vegan options the city had to offer. After a few weeks, I started to gain traction by providing plant-based meal prep to the public, and I realized the impact I could have on the community. Juniper Seed was officially born. I have been a member of Findlay Kitchen, an incubator kitchen in OTR, since May of 2023. I recently completed the Findlay Learn Program, a 9-week cohort to help build a stronger foundation for my business. I plan on opening a brunch restaurant in the future that is 100% vegan.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I have traveled a reasonably smooth road on my start-up journey. That being said, there are always bumps along the way- some small that can be solved immediately, others that take outside resources and time! When I decided to go for this thing, I had to walk away from a stable, salaried position. That wasn’t easy. There were (and still are) a lot of unknowns, but I have had a fantastic support system on this adventure!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Juniper Seed?
Juniper Seed is a plant-based meal service that offers accessible, affordable, and sustainable meal options that nourish the minds and bodies of our community. We collaborate with local businesses and support local farmers, doing our part to contribute to a growing and thriving ecosystem of small businesses within our community. We are a safe space in our community and personalize each experience. We are fueled by passion and integrity and provide unmatched hospitality. Currently, we offer weekly meal delivery (that is exclusively vegan) and brunch pop-ups at Findlay Market; in achieving our future vision, we plan to be the first full-service, fully vegan brunch restaurant in the greater Cincinnati area.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Taking risks when starting a business is the only way that we can truly step out of our comfort zone and overcome the fears we’re faced with. There have been a lot of risks that I have taken since starting Juniper Seed – quitting my full-time job, selling my new car, self-funding all of my start-up expenses, and the biggest one: having the confidence in myself to believe I could start something that will last and be impactful. It can be scary. If it’s not frightening, the vision isn’t big enough. It’s hard work and plenty of days you will question yourself. Just remember, you have to be your biggest cheerleader and show up for yourself and your business every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: juniperseed.net
- Instagram: @juniper.seed
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552373481668&mibextid=uzlsIk
Image Credits
Erin Matulis
