Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Thompson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Baseball is my background. I was born into the game, raised around the game, and knew nothing more – than the game. My father, Robby, had a ten year Major League career with the San Francisco Giants. His rookie season, 1986, was the same year I was born. For as long as I can remember, I wanted nothing more than to follow my father’s footsteps and create an MLB career of my own. I was fortunate enough to bounce back and forth between Jupiter & San Francisco growing up. We would spend our summers out in Cali, and I would spend my summer days with my dad at the ballpark. Candlestick Park to be specific.
Back then, age wasn’t regulated near as much, and the Giant’s manager at the time was Dusty Baker. The O.G O.G. Throughout those years I basically was one of the guys, besides getting paid. Well, I did get paid, to clean the cleats of legends like Barry Bonds, Deion Sanders, Will Clark, Matt Williams, Willie McGee, Royce Clayton, Kevin Mitchell, the list goes on. I can remember vividly the days of running around the clubhouse, eating as much bubble gum as possible & dabbling into the endless amounts of sunflower seeds. I even had my own uniform, Thompson 6. Just like my dad. I would suit up and help the coaches during batting practice. Mixing in with guys like Jeff Kent at second base taking ground balls.
Jumping into rounds of BP with big leaguers as if I was one of them. Then hang out on the bench in the dugout during the game. Things only kids could dream of. I lived the dream before it was the dream. Only from a completely different perspective. After naturally being drawn toward the game and seeing what my father was able to provide for himself and his family – I knew what I would dedicate my life towards. It was my lifelong goal. My dad was a bit old school, so he didn’t allow me to attend any of the amateur showcases like a lot of the guys I was competing against, so I had to work that much harder to create a name for myself. He always said, “If you’ve got the talent, they’ll find you.” Man am I happy he did.
As time passed, I got closer and closer to achieving that goal. Fast forward to my senior year of high school when suddenly I had already committed and signed to attend the University of Florida on a baseball scholarship. Just like my dad. As the season went on, there was more and more attention from pro scouts. Halfway through my senior year, I had met with and been interviewed by every Major League Baseball team, as suddenly I was on their radar to be drafted in the top five rounds of the 2005 MLB draft. That summer I was chosen in the 2nd round, 80th overall, by the Minnesota Twins. I had done it. I was well on my way. 18 years young and on the fast track to the show. Or so I thought.
After the draft, I had spent the season in rookie ball where I had a great first year and experience in pro ball. I put up solid numbers and received a promotion at the end of the season. The following year, 2006, I spent in the Midwest League and found myself on the All-Star team. All the stars were aligning. However, something didn’t feel right. About a month before the All-Star game, I began experiencing excruciating back pain. Every day I got out of bed it was the first thing I felt and lasted until I would go to sleep later on that night. The issue was that in between that time, I was meant to perform to my utmost ability. As I mentioned they had invested some money in me, so on top of my own personal dream, I felt I owed it to the Twins to make it.
I played through the pain every day for months before waking up one morning and not being able to get out of bed. I finally agreed to see the team doctor, and that’s where it all began. The Shift. I had two stress fractures, a bulging disk, and spondylolisthesis in my low spine and was causing permanent nerve damage. From that point on, I spent 2006-2012 trying to get healthy. Trying to get right. Regain the strength & ability needed to do what I always dreamt of doing. Get back on track. After years of ups and downs. Getting so close and being ripped right back to the sidelines one occurrence after another, I was finally forced to retire. At the time I was with the Chicago White Sox organization and was given the ultimatum to either surgically fuse my spine together, avoid the surgery and risk the chance of walking with a cane by 30, or to retire.
Just like that, my life had changed forever. Back to the drawing board. During my time rehabbing my back, I also suffered an injury and was forced to have my jaw wired shut for eight weeks. It was during that time that I got deeply into meditation. In to quieting my mind and body, so I could listen to my soul speak. It was no surprise that my career may come short due to my injury, so I spent a good amount of time beforehand trying to put together a backup plan. With no college education or specific skills other than playing a game to fall back on, I was naturally drawn toward the entrepreneurial route. I had set a bit of money aside and was determined to create something back home in Jupiter. Become my own boss. I just didn’t know what that would look like yet. I only knew I wanted to help people.
I had spent years tossing some different ideas back and forth and doing a bit of due diligence, but for varying reasons, none of those materialized. It wasn’t until 2013 that things came together. I had tried acaí for the first time, heard of the benefits, and realized immediately that our community needs this. At the time the only competitor was Tropical Smoothie, so it was a no brainer. It was the platform I needed to achieve the fulfillment I desired and seeked so badly. When we had first opened, we changed the way people thought about eating healthy. We created a shift in Palm Beach County that eventually caught on like wildfire. I was suddenly helping each & every customer reach a higher vibration through fruit bowls, smoothies, cold pressed juices, salads, sandwiches, etc. While also providing a safe and comfortable work environment for not only the residents of the community but also my younger brother and close friends that I grew up with. I was once again, living the dream.
Unfortunately, again, something just did not feel right from the day we opened. I had gotten in business with the wrong people, and after roughly a year I chose to walk away from what I had created. That brings us to now. Since 2015 Rock Steady has been my new dream come true. As cliche as it may seem, everything truly does happen for a reason. It’s not always easy to see it that way at the moment, but if you trust the universe and stay on coarse, put in the work mentally & physically daily, and have the discipline needed to get to where you want to be, all the stars for you too – will align. But the most important lesson learned in my 32 years is that Health truly is the greatest Wealth.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No! But if it were easy, everyone would do it. Since the split from my original venture, things have honestly been as smooth as expected. Sure there are ups & downs, but as with life in general, it’s all about managing those highs & lows. Keeping things as consistent as possible. Rockin’ Steadily. You’ve got to have faith in yourself. You bet on yourself every day. So you have no other choice but to show up.
As an entrepreneur and a small business owner, if things go wrong, it falls on no one but yourself. If you put yourself in a position to thrive, make the right decisions daily, and get the work done even when you may not feel like it, you’ll be well on that road. But anyone who tells you it’s a smooth road isn’t being completely transparent with you. You can either let adversity define & defeat you. Or you can learn from it and continue moving forward. Allowing it only to make you stronger and more whole.
Rock Steady Juice Joint – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are happy to serve two great communities (Jupiter & North Palm Beach) the highest quality organic ingredients in a quick/casual environment, at an affordable price. We specialize in acaí & pitaya bowls, superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, sandwiches, salads, shots, smoothie bowls, coffee & tea. Our most popular menu item is the Chēbe bowl which consists of acaí, granola, banana, pineapples, strawberries, seasonal berries, shaved coconut, hemp seeds, and local honey.
The Green Medicine is our best selling and most nutritious juice. It is packed with all organic kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, pear, parsley, ginger, and lemon. I am proud to have created a brand that is/was built on integrity. Every decision, from top to bottom, is made with the customer, community, and employees in mind – rather than simply profit. All of our to-go items are from either recycled and/or plant materials. We use only one single-use plastic item in the entire operation.
It is a safe, comfortable work environment where the staff is encouraged to find their passion & pursue it. Our goal is to grow from within, but believe strongly that everybody has their calling – we are proud to present a platform for others to tap into their calling and express themselves freely. We believe in originality. We believe in going against the grain. We believe in remaining true to oneself and honest to others. We believe in unity. We believe in the team.
We believe in you. But most importantly, we believe in ourselves. It’s not about making money. That’s never been the motive. It’s about making a difference, making a positive impact, leaving this Earth better than the way it was presented to us. Believing in the message, and passing it on. Leading others in the right direction by example, not by pointing the finger. It’s the intention, in my opinion, that sets us apart from the competition.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve learned the hard way that we create our own luck. Each & every one of us gets what we deserve. Good or bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: rocksteadyjuicejoint.com
- Phone: 561 406 6242 (Jupiter); (561) 629-5188 (North Palm Beach)
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rocksteadyjuicejoint
- Facebook: Rock Steady Juice Joint
Image Credit:
Jacob Constantakos
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