What began as one family’s exploration of health through juicing has become so much more. In 2017, Janae Barnett’s mother was diagnosed with stage-three carcinoma breast cancer. Hesitating to speak for her, Barnett simply says, “One day, she did some research, started doing more and more reading, and began implementing that fruit and vegetable-based diet into her everyday wellness routine.” Thankfully, her mother recovered, but Barnett was forever changed. “I became inspired,” she says. And the journey to Eve Beverages began.
Like many modern-day entrepreneurs, Barnett can trace her beginnings back to a vlog. While juggling days as a stay-at-home mom, she experimented with fruits and flavors. “I started to look at some of the benefits, and paired those with specific fruits,” she says. When Covid hit, Barnett blogged the process and sparked community interest. “People would ask if I could make juice for them, and I’d say okay,” she says. “Over time, they just started placing orders. And we were in this small kitchen just working, chopping, cutting, and filling juices every day. It was amazing.”
After word spread, the interest overwhelmed Barnett’s small kitchen. “We were like, ‘Okay, let’s shut this down and make a legitimate business.’” They branched out to the Kansas City Farmers Market. “We wanted to inspire people and explain how to change their lifestyle,” she says. “It was a big hit.” As they expanded further, partnering with local wellness centers, Barnett realized a potential roadblock. “The shelf-life on cold-pressed juices is two to three, maybe five days. It’s super difficult to manage.” So, back to the drawing board.
“I wanted to create a commercial beverage that bridges the gap between cold-pressed and functional beverages,” she says. Eve found its footing with their current line of body beverages, Blossom Punch and Tropical Breeze, both mineral-enriched, all-natural juices, and designed shelf-stable (but best served chilled). “We call them body beverages because of the overall health benefits—everything from cognitive support to joint support to skin health, supporting blood glucose levels—I could go on.”
As a business owner and entrepreneur, Barnett relies on her support system through transitional periods and moments of doubt, including her long-time business partner, Craig Scott. “He has been with me from the very beginning—in the kitchen, prepping orders with me, staying up until three o’clock, killing it. He’s incredible.” Scott has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur. “He’s had such a crucial role in the journey, and I’m very grateful to have him by my side,” she says. Barnett’s mother also has an important presence in the business and was the inspiration behind the name.
Health is important to Barnett, not only for her family, but for the community, and her body beverages promote whole-body wellness. “The climate we’re in today, the foods we consume, instead of nourishing our bodies they take away from them,” she says. “We try to focus on overall health.” She’s grateful for the opportunity to connect with others who have similar stories. “So many people can resonate. So many women have battled cancer or have lost a loved one to cancer,” she says. “They share their stories, and we connect. It’s beautiful.”
Despite the twists and turns the business has taken, Barnett is all smiles about the future. “I like to appreciate the journey,” she says. “Shifts are part of the human experience—whether it be the environment or life circumstances, you have to adapt to evolve.” Her first real-world experience as an entrepreneur hasn’t always been easy. “There’s so much work to do,” she says. “I cannot emphasize that enough. But I’m always choosing to be inspired instead of defeated. And I’m learning the power of vulnerability. When you’re vulnerable, great things happen.”