Today we’d like to introduce you to Nissa Buth.
Nissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My career has varied, starting with news and ESPN production in Honolulu, media relations in the sports industry in Colorado Springs, and teaching high school English and Journalism. In 2011 I decided I wanted to start a juice bar and healthy food establishment since we didn’t have anything of the sort in Colorado Springs. Our nation’s healthcare crisis, obesity rates, and chronic disease are really concerning, and I wanted to provide a healthy option for locals and visitors.
I researched, built a business plan and tested concoctions for two years, then opened Ola in 2013. I started in a tiny space in downtown Colorado Springs to see if this thing I dreamed up would work. My first employees were my two daughters, and my husband would help out on the weekends (and many late-night repairs). Two years later, my new challenge was keeping up with demand; we grew our staff to 14, and I started looking for a second location and hub, but so far haven’t expanded.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road, as everything was new for me. Learning labor and tax laws, doing mountains of paperwork at night while working open to close, seven days per week. Late-night Costco runs when selling out of food. Finding excellent employees. Figuring out margins so I could eventually earn a paycheck. Reviews! While the vast majority of them are wonderful, that occasional negative review really knocks the wind out of me. Fortunately, I have an incredibly supportive family and community who have all helped immensely.
Please tell us about Ola Juice Bar.
Ola is a Hawaiian word meaning “health” and “life”. It is also an acronym that is commonly used in Hawaii: ‘Olu’olu, Lokahi, Aloha, which is essentially a very welcoming, kind, non-domineering spirit. This is essential to our business — that we welcome people and are non-judgmental, that we offer healthy food and beverages but understand that everybody’s “healthy” may look slightly different. I believe it is important to be informed about what is healthy, but we’ve all seen that the research can be contradictory and confusing. It is therefore essential to listen to your own body and figure out what makes YOUR body feel good.
We are a plant-based restaurant, meaning we don’t use any animal products. My husband and I believe plant-based eating is good for health, the environment, and animals.
We are known for our açai bowls, which are energizing, delicious thick smoothies in a bowl (kind of like ice cream) that is topped with granola (or paleo granola) and a variety of toppings. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, healthy carbs and protein. We also serve a variety of juices, smoothies, quinoa and rice bowls, salads, wraps and soups. Everything is house-made.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is always being outside. I grew up in Colorado Springs in the 70’s, and there was always something to do. My parents let my brothers and me explore and roam the neighborhood, and we had to be creative. I jumped out of a lot of trees, had dozens of speer grass fights, and sometimes fished in the gutter.
Contact Info:
- Address: 27 E. Kiowa Street
Colorado Springs, CO
80903 - Website: OlaJuiceBar.com
- Phone: 719-633-3111
Image Credit:
Mariana Ziegler Photography (head shot)
Emma Buth (Pumpkin Carrot Spice smoothie with leaves)
Jennifer Farnham (everything else)
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