Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Duprey.
Susan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Im a nutrition educator, yoga teacher, entrepreneur and momma. My undergrad education is in political science and theatre and first few years of work were in creating politically conscious socially active non-profit theatre and volunteer co-ordinating staff for several presidential campaigns. I have always known I was a teacher, of sorts, but wasn’t sure how to really make the biggest difference. After moving out West and becoming completely enamored with a really healthy lifestyle and developing a more formal spiritual practice, I decided to go back to school for nutrition and counseling. I spent many years trying to figure out how to piece together all my passions and although it’s constantly evolving, I do feel I’m getting closer! And hopefully making some positive impact in the process!
Has it been a smooth road?
For sure! So many challenges… many of which were probably self-induced or even just the normal ebb and flow of life… It took me a lot of years (and Ganesha mantras) to shift my perspective and really embrace the challenges as teachings.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Radiate Apothecary opened in late 2016 at the Wynwood Yard as a means to connect the community with locally sourced fermented foods. The intention was to educate, to build a CSA-type program and work towards sustainability and localizing the food system. I decided to add in some food-based probiotic rich beauty products and kombucha on draft just for fun!
Before I knew it, the kombucha business took on a life of its own. Friends in the hospitality industry were begging me to begin bottling it and selling wholesale and after a few months of refusal, I finally got creative and decided to play with it. Within a year, I had almost 45 accounts and finally, about 2 months ago, hired my first employee!
This past winter, I expanded the apothecary space at the Wynwood Yard to include tonics, elixirs, broths, coffees, etc and these also were a huge hit!
This month, Radiate Apothecary and Tonic Bar will be opening at the new Jackson Hall, a healthy food hall in the heart of the medical district. We will have kombucha, tonics, smoothies, elixirs, cold-pressed juices, beer wine and cocktails!
My intention has always been to educate and reach as many people as possible while providing an outlet for local farmers so the community can begin to move with the seasons and improve the quality of our soil. I’m proud of the work because in the end, it’s not at all about selling kombucha. If kombucha is the door in to getting people excited about micro-bacteria and understanding the importance of sourcing, then the company is headed in the right direction!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! Right now, there is a huge wave happening in Miami. Not only in the health and wellness movement but in the entrepreneurial movement as well. I have been floored by the overwhelming support from the community and in turn, do everything in my power to support and help others on the path to building their own businesses. We are creating the culture city we want to live in and it’s completely awesome!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.radiatekombucha.com
- Email: susan@radiatemiami.com
- Instagram: @RadiateMiami
- Facebook: @RadiateMiami
Image Credit:
www.ZuraLagarde.com, www.JouleStudios.com
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