We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Villegas Shanahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, how does your business help the community?
Our business gives the community a healthy alternative for breakfast, lunch, snack, energy, and hydration. In a world where sugar, fat and calories are high, and nutrient dense choices are low, we are so happy to offer items that are high in nutrition and protein, low in fat, sugar and calories. With type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity at an all time high, this makes our mission of good nutrition so valuable to the community. We also have a community walking group and have offered free yoga, boxing, HIIT workouts and dance classes so that our customers and community may connect in a fun and active way.

What should our readers know about your business?
I believe one of the things that sets us a part from other businesses is the welcoming vibe and community we are creating. People may come in as strangers, but our hope is they leave feeling like family. We want people to always leave feeling better than when they came in. We like to learn our customers names, and if it’s their first visit you can be sure they’ll be welcomed with a smile and an option for us to review all we offer. We hand write an encouraging word on every cup and have a prayer jar on the counter for those that want or need prayer. The thing I’m most proud of is the community we have created and the positive impact we are making. I love being here. I love that people want to start their day with us and our healthy alternatives!

A few lessons learned along the way would be hard work, consistent grass roots marketing, patience and keeping the faith do work. When we first opened I was so excited and thought for sure there would be a line out the door with everyone wanting to try what we had. But that’s not what happened at all! It was such a test of our faith. I thought people just don’t know we’re here. We must find a way to let them know. We had limited resources so we chose social media, grass roots marketing, sampling and networking as a way to get the word out. We did this not just for a couple months but for 18 months and are still doing it! The great news is it has worked and more and more people are becoming aware of what we offer. The lesson is don’t give up too soon. Put in the work, keep the faith, do your part. If God put the dream in you, he will meet you along your path to help bring it to fruition.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ok! My best friend is visiting and I’m so excited to share with her my favorite spots. Of course we would stop at Healthy Start Nutrition every morning to kick off our day feeling our best. From there I’d have a few places planed to visit for the week. I would have a day trip to Galveston planned for sun and relaxation, or an over night stay in Gruene Texas for river tubing, shopping and dining. I would also have a handful of dining out on the calendar for fun. I would have Sal & Pimienta Cuisine, Postino’s, and Seasons 52 on the schedule for sure. I would also have a special evening of a wine and food pairing experience at Nice Winery and cooking class at Sur la Table. It would also be fun to go downtown and see a show at the theatre and dine nearby. While we’re there, we’ll stop for a glass of wine at one the oldest buildings in Houston, La Carafe, and play a song on the jukebox. If there are here on a Sunday, I would also be sure to take them to Lakewood Church.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been blessed with many supportive and encouraging people in my life and I am so grateful for each of them at the different stages of my growth. With the nutrition cafe I could not have done it without the support of my husband Dan, my daughter and business partner Isabel, my contractor Shoa, and my friend Kendra. I am also super grateful to Debbie, Anthony, Amber, Heather, Kelly & Katie that supported me and gave me great advice and guidance when I needed it. I am also deeply grateful to the Houston Equity Fund for their support at a critical time in our business.

Website: https://healthystartnutrition.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthystartnutritionhtx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthystartnutritionhtx

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/healthy-start-nutrition-houston

Image Credits
@bojaywhoelse

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.