Blending Purpose with Wellness
How One Healthy Habit Sparked a Business That's Changing Lives
For Deidra Milan, wellness starts with what we put into our bodies. Through La Juicy Jars, she is helping people make healthier choices with 100% natural juices and sea moss-based refreshments designed to support overall well-being.
The business began in an unexpected way. In December 2019, Deidra's mother won a juicer at a casino and brought it home. Curious about what she could create, Deidra started experimenting with fresh juices and quickly developed a passion for natural wellness. Just a few months later, as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, she saw an opportunity to share products that could help people prioritize their health during an uncertain time, and in spring 2020, La Juicy Jars was officially launched.
From the beginning, Deidra focused on creating products made with natural ingredients that people of all ages could enjoy. A key ingredient in many of her offerings is sea moss, which has long been used as a natural source of nutrients and wellness support. Her mission is simple: provide refreshing products while educating customers about healthier lifestyle choices and the benefits of incorporating natural ingredients into their routines.
As the business has grown, so has its reach. What started with indoor markets has grown into appearances at the Beverly, Logan Square, Homewood, Bronzeville, and Pullman Farmers Markets, along with a growing presence at health and wellness events. Even more rewarding, she now experiences something every entrepreneur hopes for: customers recognizing her brand and seeking out La Juicy Jars wherever she goes.
Looking to strengthen her business knowledge, Deidra joined Sunshine Enterprises after encouragement from a fellow entrepreneur. As an educator by profession, she believed in the value of continuous learning and wanted to better understand how to grow her business. Through the Community Business Academy, she gained practical insights, built relationships with other entrepreneurs, and developed a new perspective on what it takes to build a sustainable company. Most importantly, she found encouragement during moments when entrepreneurship felt overwhelming.
Today, La Juicy Jars has grown from a one-person operation into a business with four employees. For Deidra, that growth represents more than increased sales; it represents the ability to create opportunities for others and build something larger than herself. The lessons she gained through Sunshine continue to guide her journey, especially one that has stayed with her through every challenge: never stop, just keep going. Through every pouch and jar she serves, Deidra is proving that a simple idea, combined with persistence and purpose, can grow into something that nourishes an entire community.
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