Today we’d like to introduce you to Caleb Cornelius.
Hi Caleb, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started my first brand Rune Apothecary when I was living in Los Angeles, CA. I wanted to share with others natural solutions and remedies that I had been practicing in my own self-care regimen that helped me get through a very hard time in my life. Years prior, I had a health scare and found out I had cancer and had to have invasive surgery to remove a tumor that was growing in my rib cage. It was a scary time for me, and turning to plant medicine changed my life. After my surgery, I dove into the world of plant medicines, herbal remedies, and adaptogens. I began creating blends of adaptogenic herbs that I would take every day throughout my healing journey. Looking back on that experience I learned so much and wanted to share with others the things that helped me get through that hard time. I feel like it’s my calling to pay that forward. I also get so much enjoyment and connectivity out of creating and working with plants. I truly feel so connected to each ingredient I use. After 6 years of being in Los Angeles, my partner and I decided to move back to Cincinnati where we are both from originally. Los Angeles is a hard city to exist in, and I think after the pandemic, we both needed a break from the city for a bit. It was a very hard decision because we love California, and the desert is one of our happy places. Upon moving back to Cincinnati, a dear friend, and fellow plant-based small business owner reached out and offered me an opportunity to take over the space her business was transitioning out of. This opened up a door for me to finally get a brick-and-mortar after years of searching for the perfect location. I am so thankful and humbled by this opportunity. Over the years, I had been dreaming of evolving my wellness brand into a full plant-based restaurant and juice bar concept, so that is what happened upon getting the space. Rune Juicery + Plant-Based Market was born!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It felt serendipitous and like the universe was rewarding me after years of putting in the work and striving for this opportunity, but there have definitely been hard days. I would say some of the harder things I’ve dealt with are learning the breakdown of operations when running a small business and getting procedures in place to hire staff. Also, the hours you have to put in at the beginning are definitely exhausting and can lead to burnout. I’ve just been practicing trying to keep a good work/life balance and learning to know when to shut off work mode. That can be hard for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rune Juicery + Plant-Based Market?
Rune is a one-stop shop for your health! Our offerings consist of superfood-packed smoothies, smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juice, vitality shots, vegan bagels + other bites, raw chocolates, herbal teas, supplements + plant medicines, and a selection of unique plant-based groceries. I think what sets us apart from others is our creative combinations of ingredients and the mindfulness that goes into each product. Everything is created with intention, and there is a reason each ingredient belongs in each product! We are creating healing foods. In Cincinnati, it is especially hard to find healthy food, and there definitely are not many vegan options, so I find pride in being able to offer that to customers every day!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My dear friend Megan Tysoe of Rooted Juicery has been so supportive in the process of Rune manifesting into reality. She was transitioning out of the space Rune is currently in and was the one who brought up the idea of Rune going into the space. We had brought it up in casual conversation when my partner and I were talking about moving back to Cincinnati, and then once we actually moved back, we were talking about it again, and she was like, wait…would you be interested? And within a few days, I toured the space, and she put in a good word for me which I am so thankful for! She has also helped me a lot and mentored me with any business-related questions I have had along the way. My partner Randall has also been there for me every step of the way, and I feel very supported and thankful for his help. I couldn’t have done it without him! He is also a graphic designer and made most of our labels and menu board for the shop. My dad has also been a big support in the process of opening up, which I am very thankful for.
The community of Mariemont, which is the neighborhood Rune is located in, has also been so supportive of us, and I am so humbled! It’s been so great getting to know everyone and seeing familiar faces as time has passed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runejuicery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091911866818
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rune-juicery-plant-based-market-no-title-2
- Other: https://rune-juicery-plant-based-market.square.site/
Image Credits
Caleb Cornelius
Julie M.
OCUS
