SOMETIMES goodness and growth can emerge from adversity.
This rings true for Margaret Johns who transformed her personal health struggles into a flourishing natural juice business.
Known as Crimson Horizon, the enterprise now sells both locally and abroad.
“The business name, Crimson Horizon, comes from my love of sunsets,” she said.
“I am fascinated by the orange and purple hues, which often resemble blood or crimson. That’s where I got the name for my business.”
As a mother of seven, the Bilolo, Ba resident embarked on this venture after she and her husband grappled with several health problems.
“My husband and I were frequently under the weather, a common experience with age. We were dealing with various ailments, including diabetes, heart issues, and high blood pressure, among others.”
Turning to organic remedies, Ms Johns began experimenting with fruit and vegetable juices to make homemade antibiotics.
“I decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle, opting for an alternative, natural, and organic approach to medication, with the aim of feeling better and becoming healthier.
“This led to the creation of jungle juice. I’ve noticed that since I started using it, my blood pressure and sugar levels have decreased. I’ve also shed some weight, and it has positively impacted my husband’s health as well.”
Her juice is concocted from twelve unique ingredients suggested to her by relatives who were members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church.
The dozen ingredients include lemon juice, layalaya (wild ginger), turmeric, garlic, black pepper, cane pepper, honey, dates, carrots and moringa (saijan).
“I believe in supporting local businesses and I source all my ingredients, even the dates and carrots, from the Ba market.”
Ms Johns said Crimson Horizon officially launched in 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“This year, the business has picked up drastically.”
Despite launching her juice line only four months ago, business has expanded rapidly.
“The jungle juice is now enjoyed in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and even within Fiji, including Vanua Levu, Suva, Sigatoka, and the highlands of Navosa.”
Priced at $20 per 1.5-litre bottle, her product is prepared fresh and mostly natural.
She currently produces 20 bottles per batch, selling approximately 40 to 60 bottles per week.
In addition to her juice line, Ms Johns said the business offered value-added products like dried ginger and turmeric powder, as well as chili vinegar, hand-printed sulu and hand fans.
Ms Johns credits her business success to her family’s undying support.
“My husband has been incredibly supportive, my children are also a great help. They assist me in gathering ingredients, such as the mother of all herbs and saijan.
Ms Johns’ advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is basic: “Don’t be afraid to take that first step and have confidence in yourself.
“If you encounter a setback, don’t be discouraged. Learn from it and move forward. If I can do it, any woman can.”
