‘Blended’ Mixes Fruit, Skills, Work And Inclusion
[Written by Patrick Bean]
Blended is a purposeful social enterprise founded by Jasmine Zuill that pairs no sugar added, dairy-free bowls and juices that offer nourishing, fruit-filled fun for the palate along with meaningful employment and workplace training for young people with intellectual disabilities.
Launched just before this summer as a pop-up vendor, the business has proven a hit at various local sporting and social events.
Marked by a fluorescent tent, Blended is hard to miss, especially as Zuill often engages passersby with free samples and her bubbly, infectious effervescence.
Zuill explained that the company’s mission is twofold: providing clean fuel for her own longevity, while also helping young people with disabilities develop life skills.
Staff members are placed in an environment that uses consistent, repeatable, measurable recipes, leading to greater efficiency in product delivery.
Additionally, they receive fair pay, direct-deposit paychecks, and communication training while learning workplace norms.
“We’re called Blended; we sell acai, we sell papaya, and we sell fresh juices,” explained Zuill during a recent Western Counties event. “Our slogan is “Fruit Reimagined.’”
“I came up with this idea because I wanted to find my young people employment that compensated them well.
“I also noticed that similar struggles existed with persons in high school, where they were mainly getting jobs, packing groceries, or a favourable opportunity through a family friend. And I think it’s very important that we start teaching that to them as they grow up.
“We teach workplace skills—things like communication. We have experts come in and talk about working with people with disabilities and cognitive differences, and then we teach them the basics, like how to send a proper email.
“We get them used to receiving paychecks through transfers, and also teaching them about what a paycheck slip should look like, just teaching them how to integrate themselves into dealing with persons with differences because the rest of the world is doing so, because Bermuda is very behind in that way.
“So we’re ‘blending’ in many ways. Also, I’m on a personal journey, trying to live longer for my own children.”
Zuill added that her crew arrives excited and willing to work every day, with many coming in on unscheduled days.
Serenity, a team member, explained that Blended has been a godsend, helping her move beyond her shyness and become more communicative.
“I like working with Blended because Jasmine’s a nice person,” said Serenity. “She’s very flexible with our schedules. I really enjoy what we do.
“It’s just so fun, and I like it. Especially when I make a mistake and make too much for a customer, I get to eat it.”
For 18-year-old Shaisa Sampson, Blended represents a welcome venture into the workforce, and she’s grateful.
“Working at Blended is my first customer service job and my second job ever, and it’s going really well,” explained Sampson. “I would say it’s hectic sometimes because it’s so hot most of the time.
“It’s really good experience, and we’re learning a lot from Jasmine.”
Zuill has high hopes for the business, envisioning one day being able to procure a trailer as a base of operations.
“My goal and aspiration for the business is not necessarily to have a building, but definitely a trailer because we do like to take advantage of the different views that Bermuda has,” she added. “And I think it’s very nice to be able to sit by the water and have something healthy and nourishing for your body.
“So we definitely are looking to have a trailer. We are looking to get more young people and form partnerships with different companies that my employees are interested in being a part of, so they can start to do that networking and build those relationships.”
“We hope that we can establish a standard whereby when they hear that they came through Blended, potential employers would know the individual is well- trained, has professional skills, knows how to handle themselves in the workplace, and therefore are viable for positions.”
Awesome!