Playa Bowls: Your slice of summer, anytime
Abby Taylor
Playa Bowls serves up their energizing, nutritious, and delicious bowls across the country. These bowls offer a healthy and nutritious alternative to fast food with a focus on superfruits acai and pitaya. In response to COVID-19, Playa Bowls locations nationwide launched the "Help Our Heroes" Initiative, delivering bowls to frontline workers at hospitals, nursing homes, police, and EMT stations, and encouraging customers at their stores to do the same.
What was the inspiration to start this business?
I did a ton of traveling and surfing to a list of destinations I had dreamed up after graduating college including Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, California, and Hawaii. All along the way, I was trying acai bowls and got hooked on the taste, the health benefits, and the unique flavors highlighted in each country. I came home, and couldn't stop thinking about them.
I began making them for my family and friends - I wanted to share my passion for these bowls with everyone at the Jersey Shore. My partner Rob and I started with a cart on the side of the road in Belmar, NJ in 2014. We had a patio table, a blender, and an umbrella. Playa Bowls has grown exponentially since then - we now have 94 stores in the Continental US and Puerto Rico!
When you started your business, did you ever envision that you would be where you are now?
Never! Every day I have to pinch myself. It's crazy!
Soon we'll be opening our 95th store! It's incredible how far we've come.
Was there ever a time that things didn't fall into place, struggles, or challenges? What were they and how did you get past it and grow from the experience?
Yes, all the time. At first, I had no clue what I was doing, and admittedly am still learning new things every day. In the beginning, we used to go to the grocery store to get our supplies for the bowls, and run electricity from the pizza place next door! It's laughable thinking back to that time, but there's so much we just didn't know.
Over time, we developed relationships with distributors, and have implemented systems, supply chains, and processes. We brought in an amazingly talented team that ensures that everything runs smoothly.
What was the biggest lesson you learned while starting and growing this business?
If starting a business was easy, everyone would do it! You really have to have the ability to put your head down and dedicate your life to your vision, and trust in yourself. Being a female boss in this industry really exposes you to people's true colors.
Unfortunately, I've learned that a lot of people along the way are really out to take advantage of you somehow. You have to have thick skin, and be able to stand up for yourself and your company.
What would you tell a FEM that is struggling in her business and feel like it's too difficult?
It's not easy, but it will be worth it in the end. If you truly are passionate about your business, you can and will succeed. I can honestly say, I never thought about what failure might look like. It just wasn't an option.
The biggest lesson I can pass on is to make sure your day includes some time to focus on yourself. Go for a surf! Get a workout in! It will help you reset and recharge so you can tackle the business of the day.
What continues to inspire you to keep on growing your business?
It's so humbling to think about how many people rely on Playa Bowls to provide for themselves and their families. It feels great to promote people and be able to provide so much opportunity.
I love seeing employees begin their journey and work their way up to Shift Leaders, Store Managers, and Upper Management positions. I feel inspired by our team and have a duty every day to keep Playa Bowls a fun and exciting environment so everyone in "Pineappleland" is committed to what we're trying to accomplish, and enjoys being a part of the team.
Final advice for those thinking of starting a business or looking to grow their current business?
Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Along the way, there were so many people in my ear telling me what we were building wasn't going to work. There were definitely a few times where I was exhausted and thought about quitting - I'm not ashamed of that fact.
Keep at it, and keep pushing! Surround yourself with smart people who are good and what they do, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I'm so lucky to have such knowledgeable people all around me and wouldn't be where I am without my team.
To connect: IG:@PlayaBowls