Daisy Alvarenga’s Journey

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What began as a side business in the Bronx while working full-time in the medical field would eventually grow into something much bigger for Daisy — a mission rooted in family, community, and care.

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While managing her laundry business and healthcare career, Daisy faced one of the hardest moments of her life when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. As a healthcare professional, she understood how critical nutrition is during recovery. But when she searched for healthy, organic food options in her own Bronx neighborhood, she found very few available.

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That realization stayed with her.

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Daisy loves the Bronx and believes deeply in its potential, but she also knows too many communities are often overlooked when it comes to access to healthy living options. Instead of accepting that reality, she decided to do something about it.

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When a storefront became available in her neighborhood, Daisy — with the support of her family — took a leap of faith and brought her vision to life: Daisy’s Juice Bar & Café, a welcoming community café offering fresh organic juices, smoothies, and food options free of GMOs and inspired by the diverse cultures of the Bronx.
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Today, the café is more than just a place to grab a healthy drink. It has become a vibrant community gathering space where neighbors connect through arts and crafts groups, poetry readings, art exhibits, and shared conversation. Daisy intentionally created a place where everyone feels welcome.
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Like many entrepreneurs, the journey was not without challenges. Daisy learned as she went, adapting through every obstacle with determination and resilience. One of the biggest lessons she embraced was understanding that asking for help is not weakness — it is part of growth.

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Recognizing she needed additional operational support, she brought on Valentin, an experienced manager who helped strengthen the business. Around the same time, she connected with Renaissance Small Business Services, which provided financial guidance and support throughout her journey.

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With Renaissance’s help, Daisy secured a working capital loan that allowed her to expand into the neighboring storefront, hire a part-time employee, and pay off high-interest debt — giving her breathing room to continue growing and serving the community.

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Through passion, perseverance, and the willingness to seek support when it mattered most, Daisy transformed a personal challenge into a thriving business with lasting community impact. She remains hopeful and energized about the future of both her business and the Bronx community she proudly serves.

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Daisy's Juice Bar & Cafe