Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Baldini.
Laura, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So, in 2012, I had been thinking of opening a cold-pressed juice shop here in Boston as we didn’t have them here yet, and I was ordering from juice companies in NYC 🙈. One day, I was on Facebook and saw that Eater posted about “some girl” doing Kickstarter for a cold-pressed juice truck!!! Long story short, I met with Ellen (my now biz partner) and became a partner in our juice truck… fast forward to February 2014 when Ellen and I had a meeting and she said “so what do you think of doing a brick and mortar mother juice? There’s this great spot I saw “ and that was it… mother juice Kendal was born and we learned so much that was amazing and hilarious and those were the 16 hours a day days. Now, we have a location at Boston Public Market (another spring 2019 at BPM terminal c Logan airport) and our super pretty Newbury Street location. I’m so proud of what Ellen and I and our whole team have done to create the vibe and following we have. Once upon a time, Ellen and I left our real jobs (and we both have MBA’s and ZERO restaurant experience at the time) and just did it. The worst-case scenario was it wouldn’t work out but instead, the community kinda worked with us working out the kinks and now we have over 45 amazingly talented employees. Dream come true, yet so much more to come.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
That’s a good question. With mother juice, I think we learned a lot, the takeaways that come to mind are 1, permitting, 1010mass ave, codes all that takes longer than you think. Prepare yourself. Also, get creative as there is always a solution. Do not ever ever ever ever ever give up!!! The worst thing that can happen is you’ve got this idea and you don’t try. It’s ok to fail but I promise… you won’t if you believe in what you are doing.
My life wasn’t always a smooth road, it kind of got turned upside down and all I thought my life was going to be all of the sudden was no longer and I sort of decided that I was just going to reinvent myself. Coincidently, it was all during the time when we started Mother Juice and it oddly gave me the best space to channel my energy into So, ultimately, I took my frustrations, and uncertainty and made something beautiful out of it. And I’m very proud of how much I grew as a person then and even more proud of who we have become as a company.
What should we know about Mother Juice? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Aside from Co-Founding Mother Juice I also do a few other things, I have been part of a team at L Brands for about 6 years ( parent company to Victoria’s Secret, Pink, La Scenza, Henri Bendel and Bath and Body Works) that does something called strategic patterning… kinda like a trend scout. I have been in real estate in all capacities for 20 years, I also executive produced an indie film called “The Dust Storm” right before we opened our first Mother Juice. That was pretty cool.
I have a new company I’m launching soon which I am very excited about, it’s different from what I usually do, but again I just keep reminding myself that I have nothing to lose, maybe it fails but maybe I’ll learn something and at least I tried. And if you don’t visualize it succeeding, it won’t, so try to stay centered.
I think I’m most known for my love of fairy lights and many little plants at mother juice for sure. Mother juice is my proudest accomplishment that I’ve been a part of as of yet). Our innovative staff kills it with new recipes and I think that plays a big part in differentiated ourselves a lot from other juice bars making Moju the coolest Boston cafes in my eyes at least.
If you really love your brand. Like with all your HEART that translates to the consumer and sets you apart
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I use google a lot as my ADD brain constantly wants to look up new things. I end up going down Pinterest and Instagram rabbit holes often just finding things that inspire me… favorite apps I love my Apple Watch… I track everything am amazed by the time I spend walking… hanging out… driving… I find time management fascinating.
Contact Info:
- Address: Newbury St, Kendal Square, Boston Public Market, Terminal C Logan Airport (Coming Soon)
- Website: Motherjuice.com
- Email: Info@motherjuiceboston.com, Baldini@motherjuiceboston.com
- Instagram: Motherjuice, Lalabaldini
- Facebook: Mother Juice, Laura Baldini
- Twitter: mother_juice
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