Daily Inspiration: Meet Andre Gomez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Gomez.

Hi Andre, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The owners of FreeDuhGreens! came from neighborhoods and cities that were (and still are) underserved, overpopulated, and saturated with malnutrition. We experienced fast food chains, liquor stores, and gas stations on every corner without knowledge of healthy nutrition. In inner-city ghettos, you don’t see many health-conscious choices such as Trader Joe’s or Wholes Foods. Health food stores won’t even touch these areas. Seeming as though they won’t make enough profit from an already impoverished population- who only have enough funds to eat the systemically placed grease traps.

So FDG has devoted itself to spreading our message of healthiness to rural and exploited communities who lack access to alternative options. We want to show that being plant-based or caring for your nutrition should be accessible and uncomplicated.

In turn, my partner and I created a new way of supporting ourselves and breaking out of the typical “worker-bee” system based on our passion for helping others heal. FDG is not just a smoothie bar- we are a holistic hub, mending the community through education, connections, and our 100 % plant-based deliciousness.

Alright, 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?
Following your passions is the easy part. Getting funds from the centralized banking system is another thing. Have your ducks in a row on paper, as people would say. Business credit is one area, yet an LLC and establishing yourself with your local banks will get you into the door to begin to build your business credit. There’s more free information out there than you believe. Aside from YouTube University and podcast, FreeDuhGreens! benefited from our local business workshops and courses available to our town.

Another challenge was working while working. We had to find the balance between labor for our commercial jobs while building the foundation of our company. Many times, it wasn’t easy applying the same energy to someone else, as our own due to social conditioning. Yet, we were able to complete our starting goals and our grand opening through dedication.

Our best advice? Make investing in yourself, and your true passions, your top priority. Work towards having an exit plan for your success. There is great reward in ownership and being able to fly towards creating profit and change on your own. It’s YOUR journey.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Both of the owners of FreeDuhGreens! are passionate about a variety of music, arts, crafts, and natural and agricultural activities. Aside from becoming a specialist in fitness and holistic nutrition, Andre is an alchemist in tantric sound healing. Whether it’s djing as the artist Sinsaysays, using steel hand pans, or teaching Afrikan drumming, our CEO truly is a master of many musical endeavors. You can also catch him creating one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry and manifestation oils for healing events and retreats.

Dede specializes in teaching digital art, herbology, gardening, natural sciences, and resin crafts. She spends her time connecting to the Earth and her artistry by creating eclectic designs, logos, and handmade Earth pieces that feature ethically sourced flowers, bones, and insects. She also has credentials in child development and education, where she inspires students through natural healing and SEL.

Our artistic adventures and crafts guide us toward becoming authentic and innovative in our work and connecting to others. We enjoy learning so much from our journey of freedom while simply spreading love and inspiration to everyone around us.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Just be yourself! FreeDuhGreens! loves to collab with local businesses, network with others with similar goals, and create crafts and events with the town.

Or just by supporting the owner’s work! We have several small shops and farms that we also support and team with to provide healing services to everyone. This journey is about connecting and sharing our love through the human experience in as many ways as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: freeduhgreensllc.squarespace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freeduhgreenssmoothiebar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeDuhGreensLLC
• SoundCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/sinsaysays/ 

Image Credits
SoCo Photography