Your Name: Luisa Alberto

Business Name: Sōw, an artisan juice bar

Type of Business: Food & Beverage

Business Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Website www.sowsf.com
Twitter @sowsf
Facebook sowingsf

Reason for starting
I started Sōw because I saw a lack of fresh juice options in my community. Living in Northern California, we are fortunate to be surrounded by organic produce. I wanted to showcase the beauty and simplicity of nature’s bounty and exalt it in the same way we do specialty coffee and artisanal cocktails. Why not gather around something natural that makes you feel just as good, if not better?

How do you define success?
To me, success is making a living by living your life. Work shouldn’t feel like work, it should feel like a contribution that adds value to your life and the lives of others.

Biggest Success
We launched with a Kickstarter campaign and not only raised $12,500 but also gained support and encouragement from friends, family and our community to take the leap and begin our morning fresh juice pop up inside a friend’s wine bar on Market street in San Francisco.

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Our top challenge is distinguishing ourselves in the marketplace. We have addressed this by offering unique combinations such as hosui pear, celery, orach spinach, borage, lemon, tarragon. we also offer a seasonal juice flight; 4oz tastes of three different varieties of one particular fruit or vegetable such as cucumbers and stone fruit.