Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaquasia Coleman and Labria Strong
Hi Shaquasia and Labria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our mother, Edna Strong, was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2017. After undergoing radiation, she had surgery to remove the tumor from her colon. However, complications prevented her from healing properly, leading to an extended hospital stay of over 40 days. During this time, we became full-time caretakers not only for her but also for our grandmother, a double amputee who had suffered her third stroke.
Despite our mother’s resilience, the battle continued as she began chemotherapy. The treatment took a toll on her, drastically reducing her appetite. Seeing this, Labria—who had studied Public Health at the University of South Carolina—came up with the idea of making fresh juices and smoothies to help nourish her. We also changed our diets as a family as well.
Tragically, in March 2018, our grandmother passed away after suffering her fourth stroke. Just two months later, in May, our mother also lost her battle with colon cancer. Fast forward to 2020, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we both found ourselves back home in Myrtle Beach. Seeking ways to boost our own health, we turned to juicing once again. Word quickly spread among family and friends, and before we knew it, what started as a personal health practice became a thriving business. We began taking orders and delivering fresh juices both locally and across the state.
As demand grew, our home kitchen could no longer keep up. In September 2021, we were invited into an incubator space at a well-known produce stand in Conway, SC. This opportunity allowed us to transform the stand into a local health hub, making fresh, nutritious juices accessible to our community. Now, nearly five years in business and four years in our brick-and-mortar location, our journey—rooted in love, loss, and resilience—continues to inspire and serve others in the pursuit of health and wellness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is often glorified, and social media has a way of making success look effortless. But behind the scenes, the journey is filled with challenges. Here are some of ours:
Lack of Funding – We take pride in building our business from our own savings, avoiding loans out of fear of debt. When we attempted to secure a bank loan, we were denied, and we took it as a sign from God. The high interest rates were intimidating, and if we ever decided to walk away, we’d rather owe only each other—not a bank. However, limited funding also means limited marketing (visibility), fewer employees, and slower access to additional commercial equipment that could help us grow.
Operating in a “Desert” Community – Being in an area with no other juice bars is both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, we have a unique opportunity to educate our community about natural healing. On the other, we face the challenge of building awareness and shifting mindsets about the benefits of juicing.
Scaling Too Fast – We learned the hard way that rapid expansion can backfire. Opening a second location in Myrtle Beach proved to be too much, too soon. While growth is exciting, it must be strategic and sustainable.
Managing With a Small Team – With only two of us running the business, it’s difficult to be everywhere at once. We’re hoping to expand our team soon to better serve our growing customer base.
Balancing Expectations – People will always want more from you than you can realistically give. One of the hardest lessons we’ve learned is that you can’t please everyone. The key is to pace yourself, set boundaries, and avoid burning out too soon.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about the wins—it’s about resilience, learning from setbacks, and staying committed to your vision, even when the journey gets tough.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Juice Crush, we are more than just a juice bar—we are a wellness hub dedicated to being your healthiest crush by providing nutrient-dense, high-quality products that nourish the body and support a healthy lifestyle. We are sister owned and operated, and we love working together for and with our community.
What We Do & Specialize In
We specialize in cold-pressed juices, smoothies, sea moss gel, infused waters, fruit bowls, wellness shots, and juice cleanses. Soon, we will be adding açaí bowls to our menu, further expanding our offerings to fuel your body with clean, wholesome ingredients. Every item we serve is thoughtfully crafted to promote overall wellness, immune support, and natural healing.
What Sets Us Apart
Unlike mass-produced options, we prioritize farm fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring the highest level of quality and nutritional value. Our juices are 100% raw, with no added water, sugars or preservatives, so you get all the benefits nature intended. You’ll love the names of our menu items, where we’ve added crush related songs or phrases to make all items memorable. Additionally, we are deeply rooted in community wellness education, helping customers understand how proper nutrition can transform their health.
What We’re Most Proud Of
Our brand is built on authenticity, passion, and resilience. We are proud to have created a space where people can access real, clean nutrition while also learning how to take control of their health naturally. From our humble beginnings juicing at home to growing into a brick-and-mortar location, we’ve stayed committed to our mission: making wellness accessible, delicious, and convenient.
What We Want You to Know
When you visit us, you’re not just purchasing a juice—you’re investing in a healthy experience. Whether you’re looking to reset with a juice cleanse, searching for vitamins and digging into our sea moss, boost immunity with wellness shots, or enjoy a refreshing smoothie or fruit bowl, we have something to support all of your wellness goals. And with açaí bowls coming soon, we’re excited to offer even more ways to nourish your body!
Come see us, let us crush on you, and join our growing community of health-conscious individuals on a journey to better living!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What We Love & What We’d Change About Myrtle Beach
We both grew up in Myrtle Beach, SC, and while we once had no plans of returning after college, life had other plans. After our mother passed and left us homes here, it made sense to come back and be surrounded by family.
What We Love:
One of the things we appreciate most about Myrtle Beach is the support from our community. The city has embraced us, and we love being able to give back through our businesses (we are also in real estate/property management), and our other endeavors from mentorship to being on the board of a scholarship committee. As entrepreneurs, we also see tremendous growth opportunities, especially with the steady influx of new residents.
What We’d Change:
While Myrtle Beach is an exciting destination for visitors, it can feel limited for locals, especially when it comes to entertainment and social spaces beyond the tourist attractions. With us moving back from bigger cities like Atlanta, GA, and Columbia, SC, where the options for entertainment and culture are endless, we sometimes feel the gap here. We’d love to see more opportunities that cater to year-round residents rather than just seasonal tourists.
That being said, we’re excited about the city’s growth and are hopeful that as more people move here, the local scene will continue to expand with more diverse experiences for both visitors and residents alike.
Pricing:
- Cold Pressed Juices: $9.50-$24
- Smoothies: $9-11
- Sea Moss: $28-$48
- Wellness Shots: $5-$7
- Infused Waters: $6
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juicecrushmb.com
- Instagram: juicecrushmb
- Facebook: juicecrushmb
- Other: TikTok/Snapchat: juicecrushmb
