
Press On Juice
Initial Situation
Kris Rockwood was struggling with health issues that were effecting her ability to do activities with her daughters. The medication could potentially cause more issues, so Kris explored other options to handle the pain. She discovered juicing and it had such a great impact, she decided to share it with others.
How the SBDC helped
Kris began working with the Michigan SBDC a few years ago to help grow her business. Specifically, the MI-SBDC has assisted in the marketing aspects of Press on Juice. Press on Juice received an Search Engine Optimization Report from the MI-SBDC to increase the traffic flow to their website.
Success
Press on Juice continues to grow in the Traverse city area. They are adding new products that are healthy and enjoyable to eat. In the future, there might even be more Press on Juice locations.
About five years ago, Kris Rockwood was searching for a solution to her ongoing health problem. Her rheumatoid arthritis was to the point that she could no longer play with her daughters.
After researching different methods to cope with her pain, she discovered that her medication had a number of dangerous side effects, so she began searching for another answer.
Kris began consuming a raw-based diet and added juicing. After six weeks of being on her diet, her rheumatoid arthritis symptoms essentially disappeared. As a result, she had enough energy to play with her daughters again. It was then Kris knew that she had to share this lifestyle with the public.
“I was traveling a great amount because I was working in Chicago at the time,” Rockwood said. “I was hardly seeing my girls and to add to that, when I was able, I didn’t feel well enough to play with them. Thankfully I discovered juicing and it has had such a positive impact on my life.”
Kris turned her life-changing passion into a business by opening ‘Press on Juice,’ a health-enthused raw juice store that serves the Traverse City area. Essentially, Kris’ hope of helping people live a healthy lifestyle was met with the opening of the store.
“There is a good amount of people in the area that are health-conscious, and I wanted to provide an outlet for those who share my passion,” Rockwood said. “Press On Juice helps accomplish that.”
‘Press On Juice,’ opened its doors in the Spring of 2014 in Traverse City, and serves a community of all ages who are seeking a healthier lifestyle. Currently, Press On Juice houses nine employees, and an additional 10 employees during the summer months.
“Every employee at Press On Juice plays a vital role to the success of the company,” Rockwood said. “In addition to everyone who works at Press On Juice, I also consult with a women’s business group that a number of women and myself formed to help one another with typical business ventures.”
According to Kristin, the ‘women’s business group’ consists of an artist, author, farmer, and a number of small business leaders, whom meet monthly to help each other with various issues. In addition to the women’s business group, Kristin has received a helping hand from Northwest Michigan Small Business Development Center’s (MI-SBDC).
“My MI-SBDC has assisted me with my business for the past two years,” Rockwood said. “They are very instrumental with marketing and demographics. They have played such a large part in the evolution of Press On Juice. I don’t know what the business would look like today without the MI-SBDC’s guidance.”
As of now, Press On Juice’s menu includes 25 different juice varieties, a collection of salads, and various smoothies, sandwiches, cashew cheese, kale chips and flax seed crackers. As for what’s next for Press On Juice, Kristin hints that soups may be in the works and new locations.
“We want to continue to diversify Press On Juice, and really create an assortment of healthy options for our customers,” Rockwood said. “Soups are currently in the works. We would like to feature six different soups, which will include mushroom, squash, bean, and red pepper.
Learn more about Press on Juice by visiting their website at: www.pressonjuice.com/
- All
- Advanced Tech Companies
- Growing Companies
- New Ventures

The Craft Loft of St. Clair
Read More
Bar Down Creations
Read More
Sunrise Bliss
Read More
Landmark Taphouse & Grille
Read More
OCBA Landscape Architects
Read More
Golden Choice, Inc.
Read More
Fortitude Children’s Therapy
Read More
Ty Gray-El
Read More
Blue Fish Early Learning Center
Read More
White Pine Furniture
Read More
Clicktivated
Read More
IndividuALLytics
Read More
Micro-Lam
Read More
Intecells, Inc.
Read More
Mackinac Technology Company
Read More
Life Magnetics
Read More
Greenmark Biomedical
Read More
Global ET
Read More
Esperovax Inc.
Read More
Celant
Read More
ATLAS Space Operations
Read More
AKTV8
Read More
Bedestrian
Read More
House of Pariah
Read More
Kelly Osborn
Read More
The Butters Hygienics Co.
Read More
Commonwealth Sewing
Read More
Presidential Brewing Co.
Read More
Ed Rehmann & Sons
Read More
INTVO
Read More
Tetra Therapeutics
Read More
Root Functional Medicine
Read More
Bob’s Butcher Shop
Read More
ellembee
Read More
Guided Life, LLC
Read More
Barrel + Beam
Read More
Growing Years Christian School & Child Care
Read More
Heart of Michigan Cafe
Read More
Akervall Technologies, Inc.
Read More
Inhabitect, LLC
Read More
Massman Trucking, Inc.
Read More
Midtown Fresh Market
Read More
Feast Gourmet Kitchen
Read More
Saddleback BBQ
Read More
K-Tec Systems
Read More
Chateau Chantal
Read More
Mid Michigan Upholstery & Awning
Read More
Our Family Friend
Read More
Trenary Home Bakery
Read More
Bark Busters
Read More
Kiss Me Specialty Coffee Shoppe
Read More
Legacy Metal Services
Read More
Ogemaw Pharmacy
Read More
Care Granted, LLC
Read More
Sandlot Sports
Read More
Soil Friends
Read More
Piper & Gold
Read More
Press on Juice
Read More
Roz’s Diner
Read More
Balance Massage Therapy
Read More
Chiquitos Bilingual Montessori
Read More
Cheryl Stevens Studio
Read More
All Dogs Can
Read More
Blarney Stone Broadcasting
Read More
Morris Lawn Care & Snow Removal
Read More
Green Glove Dryer
Read More
Supermercado Mexico
Read More
AureoGen Biosciences
Read More
Flint Podcasting Company
Read More
Witch’s Hat Brewing
Read More
Bon Bon Bon
Read More
Smart Bottoms
Read More
Detroit Kid City
Read More
Mountain Town Brewing Company
Read More