The COVID-19 pandemic has completely reshaped the way Americans—especially those in the service industry—view job security. When Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered that bars and restaurants needed to temporarily shut down and gradually begin limited dine-in service, many were left jobless for months. Taylor Bush was in that boat. You may remember Bush from Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 2019 Cocktail Issue cover story about the sober bartender who pours craft cocktails at Sonder Social Club in Dunedin.
Once coronavirus put Bush out of work, she decided to pivot from behind the bar to launching her cold press juice business, The Beet Cycle.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own business, and after I stopped drinking I slowly started realizing how much I didn’t want to be in a bar atmosphere anymore,” Bush told CL. “I started thinking about how I should start investing more in myself and see where it would take me.”
Bush said once things started to heat up with the pandemic, she packed up and went down south to learn the basics of juicing from her childhood friend, who owns a cold press juicing business.
“I applied my bartending knowledge of mixing ingredients and came up with not only healthy juices but ones that tasted good as well. They’re alcohol approved meaning they all go great with booze,” Bush said. Sounds like a prime pandemic mixer.
Bush hopes to help in the process of staying healthy while coronavirus cases are still popping up,by creating juices packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants that boost immunity.
“Since there is no vaccine for COVID-19 currently, our best defense is our bodies,” Bush explained.
Bush even refurbished a tricycle, fashioned with a basket to transport her lineup of juices adorned with quirky names. You’ve got “It’s Healthy B*tch,” “Watermelawn Remix,” “Sweet Load,” and “The Big ‘O’”. You can also opt for the biz’s signature elixir, “Beet It,” made up of beet, carrot, cucumber, lemon, apple, ginger and jalapeno. Each bottle will cost you $10.
After launching earlier this summer, The Beet Cycle has already had a few pop-ups around Tampa Bay.
“We have gained so much support from the community it honestly has blown me away. I would like to thank The Bricks, Ichicoro, Bandit [Coffee Co.] and Black Radish for all their support and allowing me to set up at their businesses,” Bush said.
Want to hop on The Beet Cycle? Follow @thebeetcycle on Instagram to see where Bush will be located next, or to place a specialty juice order.
Support your immune system, local business and beet it.
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This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2020.