Today we’d like to introduce you to Shontice Butler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shontice. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In a nutshell, Whatchu Need? AWSJ, LLC is a byproduct of God’s (Jesus Christ) faithfulness and provision. In order to tell you about how this business formed, I have to start with a little about myself. As I’ve grown in my Christian faith in adulthood, I’ve honestly struggled with doubting God’s existence and if Jesus truly was real, as there are many religions, ideas, etc. However, in the midst of those doubts, I’ve continued to study the Bible and pray as I was raised to do. During this time of growing in my faith in adulthood, God led me to Victory Church ATL by way of a friend inviting me. During the summer of 2017 between July and August, Pastor Philip led our church through a series called “Unscripted” in which he came to church with no sermon notes and the entire experience was literally unscripted and we just let the Holy Spirit move as we prayed and worshiped. Fast forward to one afternoon while at home, I was reading and studying the word of God (the Bible) and afterwards I began to pray to close my time with Him. To this day, I wish I could remember my exact words, but upon saying “Amen”, like a flood, the ideas for this business came pouring through my mind. I grabbed my notebook and wrote down everything, from the name to the idea to have each smoothie come with a bible verse, ALL of it came from God and there’s NO DOUBT in my mind about it. In college, I studied to be a teacher (I’m currently a 6th grade science teacher in Gwinnett County), so to think I’d have a business of my own was never in my plans, but I humbly accepted the role and immediately got work researching how to even start a business because as I said, I studied to be a teacher… not business management.
After laying the foundation of the business legally, I got recipes together and turned to my friends for smoothie tastings in order for them to give me feedback. I then created a website and began looking for events to vend at. The idea to have a t-shirt that said “I’m Salty” and “Stay Lit” came to mind one day after Pastor Philip preached on Matthew 5, but I thought they would just be for me, I can’t quite remember what caused me to shift from that idea to selling them with my business name on the back. but I did and they were a hit! Although Whatchu Need? AWSJ, LLC is a mobile smoothie company, the t-shirts have helped to monetize our (God & I) brand. I’ve vended at gyms, a youth conference, pop-up shops, and have begun to deliver in the Atlanta and Metro-Atlanta area. We also are releasing our newest product called “Smoothie packs” next week on our two-year anniversary. It hasn’t been easy, owning a business has truly been a test of faith and a mental battle, but I remember back on that day in July when God gave me the idea for this business, the question of, “you know this isn’t going to be easy because you’re doing this for me, right?” came to mind. I replied, “yes”, but little did I know, the hardest part would be going up against my own inner insecurities, but nevertheless, I keep pushing because I KNOW that God has a great purpose for this business. From Georgia to the ends of the Earth, Whatchu Need? AWSJ, LLC is limitless and will aid in the salvation and physical healing of many.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting the business legally was surprisingly smooth, I did the research, found out what I needed to do and did it! The struggles came when putting the actual product together. I was worried about people not liking the name of the business, not liking the way the smoothies tasted, or any other worry one could think of. So, I turned to my friends, I asked them for their feedback on the name and the smoothies flavors. I gave away free smoothies at various tastings and had people (mostly friends) give honest feedback. By setting it up as a “smoothie tasting” prepared me mentally for potential negative reviews and allowed people to be honest. I’ve also struggled with getting a consistent following and selling of the smoothies. To help with lower sells of smoothies, I’ve expanded our merch with a new t-shirt in which the idea came from God yet again. To this point, another struggle arose, I was scared out of my mind and almost didn’t release our “Do it for the Kingdom” tee because I thought there would be push back in the black community due to the message it brought, but it was the boldness of my Pastor and one of my favorite CHH (Christian Hip-Hop) rapper and brother’s in Christ, J.Monty’s boldness in testifying and sharing the 100 proof gospel that I finally muscled up the courage to release it, and yet again, people loved it. Lastly, to help with the lull of smoothie sales. we will begin to sell smoothie packs in which customers will be able to make our smoothies at home in 3-minutes or less with half the mess of making a smoothie from scratch. and smoothie packs.
Ultimately, the biggest struggle of being a business owner has been pushing through when sells are slow and seemingly very little people are supporting, pushing past the negative thoughts that come to mind, and leaving pride at the door when people critique or give you ideas/feedback. My outlet to get past these struggles is Jesus, the Word of God (the Bible), prayer, and the community of friends and family God has blessed me with. Another struggle I’ve gone through as a budding small business is putting in more money and time than I’m seeing in profits, currently. What keeps me afloat is trusting that greater is to come, knowing that my business is more than about money, but the godly impact, and the graciousness of my parents for allowing me to still live with them as I save up and grow.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Whatchu Need? A Wholesome Smoothie Joint, LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
Whatchu Need? A Wholesome Smoothie Joint, LLC specializes in the creation of 100% natural and vegan smoothies in order to fuel the body with the nutrients it needs, while also fueling the soul with what it needs through the Word of God. Each smoothie’s name is a virtue of Christ and when a customer orders “what they need”, they also get a bible verse that aligns with that smoothie’s name. Let’s say, for instance, you order the smoothie called, “Love”, along with your smoothie you’d also get a verse card that has “John 3:16” written on it, in which we encourage all customers to look up the scripture and write it on the back. After collecting 5 verse cards and writing the scriptures on the back of them, the 6th smoothie is free. We are also known for our Christian t-shirts that say, “I’m Salty”, “Stay Lit”, and “Do it for the Kingdom”. So, ultimately what sets us apart is our faith-based foundation, business model, and rapid service.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has played no role in my life nor business. God has richly blessed me with parents who raised me in a Christian household and cultivated my creative abilities since youth. In the words of Jonathan McReynolds, “I’m not lucky, I’m loved” by God and I’m very grateful. This is not to say that I haven’t struggled, but in the midst of my falling away from God at various points in my life, I’m grateful for His faithfulness and not giving up on me. God’s sovereignty and my surrender is why I am where I am.
Pricing:
- Nutrient-packed Smoothies are $6
- Christian T-shirts range from $13-$20
- Smoothie Packs range from $11.99 – $49.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.whatchuneedsmoothies.org
- Phone: 6782214305
- Email: whatchuneedsmoothies.org
Image Credit:
Aminah Farley (@daintyhanima) for Professional Smoothie Photos
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