Ruby Jean’s founder juices up STL small biz accelerator as entrepreneur in residence

Chris Goode is sharing the fruits of his business success as the Ruby Jean’s Juicery founder takes on the apron of “entrepreneur in residence” for a Missouri program aimed at supporting Black and Latinx small businesses in St. Louis.

In his role with the WEPower All-Industry Accelerator, Goode will guide 10 small businesses through a 10-week program using a practical, real-world approach. He plans to combine his successes, failures, and ongoing entrepreneurial journey with Ruby Jean’s Juicery into a no-nonsense methodology within the curriculum.

“We will focus on key topics that small-scale businesses and businesses of a marginalized representation have to hone in on in order to build a healthy foundation that has the bandwidth to not only grow, but also collaborate with larger entities,” he said. 

The connection between Goode and WEPower developed organically. Charli Cooksey, WEPower’s founder, found herself at Ruby Jean’s Juicery when on a trip to Kansas City and connected with Goode’s mission of mindful eating.

“She really resonated with the space and eventually reached out several months ago to explore my interest in this opportunity,” he said.

The application to apply for the next cohort is Aug. 21. The accelerator program begins Aug. 24.

Click here to apply.

Healthier bodies, healthier businesses

Goode’s contribution to the accelerator goes beyond traditional business mentorship. He sees the benefits of a holistic approach to his curriculum, focusing on the entrepreneurs wellbeing before shifting their focus on their businesses. 

Chris Goode, owner of Ruby Jean’s Kitchen & Juicery; photo courtesy of Ruby Jean’s

“A big part of this will be mindfulness, making sure these entrepreneurs look at building their businesses like reinforcing the foundations of themselves,” he said.

To have the entrepreneurs practice mindfulness, Goode plans to promote his agenda with water consumption check-ins, sleeping habit logs, and mindful eating habit logs.

He believes the approach is crucial, drawing from his own experience as a business owner. 

“Being more centered, more connected with my faith, more gentle with myself — it’s really opened my eyes to how important it is to be mindful of my own well-being and mental health,” said Goode.

Workshops, 1+1 coaching, marketing and accounting services, plus access to a $5,000 equity free grant are some of the benefits of the program available to the selected entrepreneurs.

Goode is now familiarizing himself with the specific challenges faced by St. Louis entrepreneurs, noting that they are more isolated and spread out, compared to what he called Kansas City’s “more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

He hopes to share some of the experiences he learned in Kansas City to help better connect the entrepreneurial landscape in St. Louis, he added. 

Success measured authentically

Success in the accelerator will be measured by completion and engagement. Entrepreneurs will submit videos and surveys at the beginning and end of the program, detailing the purpose of their ventures and reflecting on their growth.

“I’m looking for breakthroughs — new discoveries in enterprise creation and collaboration,” he said.

The program also includes practical case studies that will require participants to navigate complex stakeholder scenarios to better prepare themselves for future situations.

“They’ll be breaking down variables and stakeholders to understand the landscape they’re operating in, whether it’s community, fellow business owners, or local government,” said Goode. “It’s about viewing their business as part of a larger ecosystem, not just an isolated entity.”

As the deadline for applications approaches, Goode advised potential participants to be “honest and transparent” in their submissions, particularly with the required video component.

“There are only a few days left, so being vulnerable in their application can really make a difference,” he added.