Meet Allison Castillo | Entrepreneur, Housing Case Manager & Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I created drinkjuiceLA in my mind, I knew I wanted to share my infinite love for the sun, LA, positive affirmations and fruits and veggies combined all in one. I not only wanted to start something where I could use my creativity but also I wanted to start a business where I could share the wealth of health with as many people as possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am so excited to be able to share various ways to not only consume water but also fruits and veggies. I whole heartedly believe in the natural power that not only the sun holds but also the natural power that organic fruits and vegetables hold. I believe our communities lack awareness and access to freshly made organic juices due to pricing or to lack of enjoyable taste. I know consuming vegetables can be intimidating due to their strong taste, but at drinkjuiceLA the goal is to make your intake as easy and satisfactory as possible while also providing various tasty options. We want you to crave a freshly made juice or detox water everyday but in a natural way! We also believe in the energy put into the juices being juiced. Energy is everywhere! Our shots and juices are named on purpose in hopes that you will in fact feel replenished after drinking REPLENISH for example. Every fruit and vegetable hold benefits that can be consumed through a drinkjuiceLA juice!

Juggling my business, my workload as a student and my job as a housing case manager has not been easy. However, living in the moment/fully being present in each moment makes everything manageable. I like to start my mornings with positive affirmations such as, “I am divinely guided.” Starting my morning with positive or loving affirmations really sets the tone for my journey every day. Being honest with myself and my expectations has also helped me navigate my busy schedule. The hardest part has been asking for help and accepting that there are times when I need help. The idea of asking someone else for help with something that I chose to do can be difficult. This difficulty is always overcome with the love and support of my loved ones. On days where my motivation is low, I let my emotions be and give myself a moment to slow down. Grounding my feet on the grass, sipping on my detox water and taking mindful breaths with my eyes closed really heals me and prepares me to execute all my plans(dreams). Another way I have learned to manage my busy life is by making sure I make any change necessary! Adapting to or being flexible is important as not all methods will work the same. I have learned through trial and error that it is okay to start all over whenever needed. It is okay to make changes to your methods as it can make your effort really go a long way.

I am proud to be a product of East Hollywood. I am so excited to be proof that anything really is possible! The sky is not the limit. The challenges in our past do not define us forever and we are capable of becoming whatever we want to be. Ultimately being a first-generation college student and business owner really drives me forward. The outcomes I manifest through my hard work just continues to motivate me to keep going until the finish lines of each goal. drinkjuiceLA is truly homemade. I hope you will soon drink a juice with us LA!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week in LA would include a trip to Dodger Stadium if its baseball season. We would go on a mindful hike up to the Griffith Observatory (hikes with drinkjuiceLA coming soon) and we would order a woodfire pizza from Bella Luna Pizza on Hillhurst in Los Feliz. We would then go on another hike up to the Hollywood Sign and then enjoy lunch with some yummy and saucy chilaquiles from Lupita’s Tamales on San Fernando and Glendale. If it’s during the summer, we would go to Malibu or Zuma Beach and enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the warmth of the sun on our skin. After our trip to the beach we would have some thai food from either Torung or Palm’s Thai Restaurant both located in Hollywood. Before leaving LA we would stop by Fukurou Ramen also located in Hollywood.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I sit in gratitude and reflect back on how far I’ve come I always think about the adults in my life that gave me impeccable training or endless support throughout my journey up until this day. Since a young age my mom taught me that anything truly is possible and all it takes is going for it. Gracias mom, nada es impossible. I think back and remember my high school cheer coaches, Kristy King and Calvin Shorts. Both coaches taught me to be fearless and to approach any situation without fear. Thank you, Coach Kristy, for instilling this unshakable confidence in me. I try to carry this confidence with me in any situation especially when taking risks. Psychology Professor, David Sedghi at Los Angeles City College made me realize I could fail but still keep going. Thank you for believing in me and my ability to keep going academically and professionally. Lastly, a warm shoutout to my partner Daniel, thank you for your endless support! And to all my friends and family that have asked about drinkjuiceLA. There have been moments where I have questioned if I am capable of keeping the business going. During these challenging times, I have received messages of encouragement that I keep in my heart and mind and always go back to! Thank you all for believing in me during the times where I have difficulty believing in myself.

Website: https://www.drinkjuicela.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkjuice.la/

Image Credits
Irwin Ochoa Cortez