Today we’d like to introduce you to Penny Seabolt.
Hi Penny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. My name is Penny Seabolt, I own Lyfe Acai & Smoothie Bar, formerly The Lyfe Cafe.
My journey started with taking my health seriously. I was gaining weight in my mid-thirties and had boy/girl twins that we were raising. It took a full year to lose the weight and regain my health. I went on to study and become a nutritionist and personal trainer. For the next few years, I trained for my first figure competition. I entered and won. I went on for the next 13 years and competed in every federation; OCB, WNBF, INBF, USBF, and finally NPC, and onto winning a double Pro Card with the IFBB in Pittsburgh in 2017. I have never placed third in all the years I competed and have a pro card in every organization.
My absolute love for health and the power of food lead me to become a restaurateur. Initially, my husband and I bought a very young franchise. We lost our initial investment, and I opened a healthy fast causal in The Kenilworth Mall in Towson. I just told my son the other day, “the toughest job I’ve ever had was owning a restaurant.”
Anyone can tell you being a restaurateur is a tremendous task, and having revenue taken because of Covid-19 was devastating. I had been in business at this time for over a year, into our second year when Covid-19 hit the globe. Kenilworth had shut down the entire mall (Governer’s mandate) for almost three months. Despite all my due diligence in applying for grants or loans, I did not receive any help with funding. I was forced to close the restaurant. But we still had bills from the restaurant to a tune of $300,000.
Competing for years and years has given me discipline, GRIT, consistency, patience, and mental toughness that no other “thing or event” in my life could. I took another leap of faith during Covid, in July of 2020, and opened a portion of my restaurant, the acai and smoothie bar, and made it mobile.
I will forever believe in the absolute power of food. I love people, helping people; everyone can #Liveyourbestlyfe. And that is my job, to continue to help people through health and wellness. This is my third attempt, and I will continue with my goals and dreams for Lyfe Cafe, now Lyfe Acai & Smoothie Bar. I cannot thank my customers enough for supporting us and continuing to support us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road! Anything BUT! Struggles there are so many! Opening a restaurant/food truck in and of itself is a giant task.
Struggles:
-Employee challenges (this is the toughest part about being a business owner)
-Fluctuating Revenue (up and down)
-Covid-19
-Not having products
-Paying higher prices because the size of my business
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Lyfe is known for its creamy, silky, perfect every time acai sorbet. We have three bowls; All Berry, Tropical Breeze, and our Peanut Butter Lovers. We also make these three bowls into shakes!
What sets me apart from others, number one, is I live the lifestyle daily, every day for the last 21 years. I believe in the power of healthy food. I know what it can do for the body and ailments.
At Lyfe, we Pride ourselves on EXCELLENT customer service. I made sure this was number 1, PRIORITY. I, am too, a customer, and want to be treated with respect. At Lyfe, you will get respect and be greeted with a warm friendly smile. The world has too much hate. All I want to bring is a positive work environment, teach my baristas hard lessons for when they enter the workforce, and be a positive role model for my employees as well as my customers and clients.
There is nothing like a GREAT ATTITUDE.
Lyfe is looking to expand its brand. Our acai is like no other; we do not mix our acai with sugary juices, plant or animal milks. The acai is in its pure state. Living this lifestyle for over 20 years, I am extremely conscious of what goes into my foods, I wanted to create products without adding more calories. This will forever be my GOAL.
We offer online ordering, very recently launched GrubHub at our Timonium location. We share space with Hightopps on York Road in Timonium. This is where our truck is parked. We do private events, PTA fundraisers, school fundraisers, church events, some neighborhoods, sporting events, corporate events, and many more. Our new website is www.lyfeacai.com. You can also find us on social media IG @thelyfecafe and FB @thelyfecafe.
We have exciting news!! Next month we will open another carryout/pick-up location on November 3rd at 6036A Rossville Blvd. We will be open Wednesday through Friday 4 pm to 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday 11-5 pm.
What are your plans for the future?
We would love to be able to service our customers in different locations and would like to expand the Lyfe brand! Stay tuned!!
Pricing:
- 4.99 Wellness Shots
- 5.99 Kids Smoothie
- 7.99 Protein Shakes
- 8.99/9.99 Acai Shakes
- 10.99 Acai Bowls
Contact Info:
- Email: lyfeacai@gmail.com
- Website: www.lyfeacai.com
- Instagram: @thelyfecafe
- Facebook: @thelyfecafe
Image Credits
@midatlanticphotography
@mikecadotte
@npcnewsonline
@midatlanticphotography
@midatlanticphotography
Sharon Rabinovitz
October 7, 2021 at 11:09 pm
Penny, I loved reading your story & so glad to see all your entrepreneurial skills. Long way from court reporting. I will definitely stop by your store when I am in Timonium. Good luck with everything!! I am still selling court reporting! Crazy life. Might need a new gig!