Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Harty.
Hi Lisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Enjoy a bowl became a real business because I have a son who is a professional athlete, and he was introduced to açaí bowls by his trainer. They became a daily part of his workout routine while he was home in Baltimore working out during the off-season. When it was time to report back to the camp, he couldn’t find exactly what he was used to at home, and since I spent the season with him, I began to play around with the recipes and came up with something he loved. I would post pictures on my Instagram and FB stories, and I had a neighbor who messaged me and asked do I sell them. I told her no because my home-based business was selling cakes, candy apples, and chocolate-covered treats at the time. Every time I posted a bowl, she would ask again are you selling them. I continued to say no, and then one day in February 2021, I gave in and said sure, I’ll make you a bowl. Selling her one bowl led to me posting on my personal and community neighborhood page and asking if anyone else was interested. Much to my surprise, the response was overwhelming. I worked from my home from February until June, when I filed for a legal business entity and began searching for retail space. Never did I think that selling a neighbor one açaí bowl that would lead to me opening an açaí bowl and smoothie shop, but here we are a little over a year later.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Surprisingly the road hasn’t been too rough. I have had a steady stream of customers, and when it came to the build-out process, the property management team did most of the hard work. The biggest hurdle was the waiting period we experienced when it came to permits and licensing because of the limitations of Covid. Another struggle would have to be ensuring I had the finances and faith that my business could be successful. Learning to keep up with the supply and demand and knowing the right time to order supplies has been interesting. The biggest adjustment in owning your own business is that you don’t realize that it is a 24-hour job. You are always thinking about business ideas and must fill all the roles because it’s your business.
We’ve been impressed with Enjoy A Bowl, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are an açaí and smoothie shop that will also offer fresh-pressed juices down the line. The 2 primary bowls are called the Taynation, named after my son. It is a traditional açaí base topped with granola, fresh strawberries, bananas, blueberries, shredded coconut, and honey. The Mama Lisa is named after me and is a dragon fruit base topped the same as the traditional bowl. I was most proud that I had created a recipe that customers have complimented as being one of the best bowls they have tasted, and for me, that means everything because it brings me joy when people enjoy my food.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is doing something I love so that those late nights and early mornings aren’t that bad because I’m doing what makes me happy. It also means being able to employ my children and give them a sense of what it means to work hard for your family and create generational wealth for my children and future grandchildren.
Pricing:
- bowls are between $10.50-$11
- smoothies start at $8
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _Enjoyabowl
