Arielle Cassidy grew up knowing that “body-image pressure on girls and women is destructive,” she says. She opened her first Juice House location at age 24, and a decade later continues to churn out nutritious yet delicious juices, smoothies, bowls and more—all mostly made with local fruit and greens delivered the same day.
How did she succeed in building her ever-expanding business? It’s a tale of fearlessness, know-how and Jersey grit.
NJM: The Juice House, now in numerous towns, are go-to places for top-quality juices, smoothies and more. How did this happen so fast?
Arielle Cassidy: I dove into this business concept right after college. It took two years of planning for my first opening, in my hometown of Garwood, in 2014. Now there are Juice Houses in New Providence and Montclair as well, with more in the works. I’m happy to say that the Juice House is so popular, I’m now franchising locations.
The Juice’s House’s fruity treats are tasty and very healthy. Photo: Lauren Anzevino
That’s impressive. But what made you so sure that a new juice and smoothie brand would succeed?
Any business is a gamble. But I think the Juice House, which has a colorful and fun vibe, has a special appeal for women. I wanted that. My three older sisters and I watched our mom, who was widowed when I was 14, struggle with her weight. And then my sisters dealt with the bad influences on teenage body image, like crash diets and scary-thin celebrities. The skinny message that’s drummed into teen girls is extremely damaging. I think it’s even worse today due to social media.
Did your sisters manage OK?
They got themselves off that diet yo-yo and became very nutrition-oriented. I absorbed that. I remember being only 7 and deciding that natural food was great, and junk food was horrible. Later, when I swam competitively, I learned firsthand how crucial my diet was to my performance in the pool and in school and with my mood. I discovered that food truly fuels your body and mind.
Did your nutrition studies confirm that you are what you eat?
Yes! My senior year of high school, I took nutrition classes at Union County Community College. Then I majored in exercise physiology and minored in nutrition in college. When I graduated, I felt that the best way for me to make a difference in people’s lives was to own a business that provided totally delicious, good-for-you food.
A strawberry smoothie from the Juice House. Photo: Lauren Anzevino
How did the Juice House take shape?
I opted for a bank loan instead of investors who’d own part of the business. I found a bank that believed in young female entrepreneurs and got my loan. It took two years to open the Juice House, in 2014. And I was able to repay the loan three years later.
Were your business hunches correct?
Yes, the Juice House was immediately busy. At that time, juices were used mainly as so-called cleanses. But ours were a pleasure, not a chore, to drink. Our juices and smoothies, all made with mainly New Jersey fruit and greens delivered that day, are naturally yummy. Customers told us they supplied tons of energy, too. We opened at 8 in the morning, and people would stop in for a liquid power breakfast. A lot of young women came in, which I loved. They still do, and they try everything—all our flavors of juices, smoothies, bowls, and our energy bites that we make fresh with oats, nut butter, coconut, and vanilla or chocolate. They’re so good.
Is it breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or a snack? Your call. Photo: Lauren Anzevino
Sounds very appealing!
The vibe at the Juice House is fun and the look is colorful. The experience is uplifting. From the beginning, young women customers would ask me for advice on nutrition and fitness—I’m also a certified personal trainer. Still, I felt I needed to know more for my customers. I got a master’s degree in clinical nutrition while running the business. I don’t have private clients; I call them my Juice House customers!
You’re good at time management.
It’s a skill an entrepreneur needs. It helps that my husband, Ryne Boyle, my college sweetheart that I married in 2021, runs the business with me—and he cooks dinner, too. And now I have a real challenge to my—let’s call it demanding—schedule. Her name is Pia, and she was born on August 29. As in two weeks ago. While expecting, I thought a lot about how I’d handle a baby and a business. My mom and sisters are helping a lot with sitting, but I plan on keeping Pia with me as much as I can. She will grow up in the business and be a very healthy and social little girl.
The Juice House family: Arielle Cassidy, Ryne Boyle and baby Pia. Photo: Bella Baby
I bet she will. How about a one-minute mentoring session for women who dream of starting a business?
Believe in yourself and don’t get sidetracked by negativity. Work harder. Bring all your passion and ingenuity to your idea. Know the market inside-out—product, trends, competition, finance, tech, customers. This is your vision. Nurture it!
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