Business Spotlight: Little Bee Juice

It all started out as a pursuit for better health.  Natalie and Alex Mara had been juicing in their home since 2019 and fresh pressed juice quickly became a staple in their daily diet.  In 2024 Little Bee Juice was formed and started selling at local farmers markets using as much local fresh produce as they can from Mountain Bluebird Farms right here in Hayden.

Little Bee Juice creates an assortment of fresh pressed juices and juice shots using all organic ingredients and is not pasteurized to maintain all the beneficial probiotics and nutrients, likely making Little Bee Juice the healthiest juice in the Yampa Valley.  Fresh pressed is not only a great tasting beverage, but also comes with a variety of health benefits; enzymes, vital nutrients, detox benefits, anti-inflammatory, gut health, quick energy boost, and so much more.  Any waste they might have, is given to Hayden Fresh Farms for the pigs to snack on and Mountain Bluebird Farms for compost.

After a very successful 2024 farmers market season the concept of a full-time juice business became less of an idea and more of a realistic possibility.  Alex and Natalie entered the Hayden Business Pitch Competition in November, winning the first-place prize and bringing $10,000 for their business, helping make their dream become a reality.  The Hayden Business Pitch Competition aims to empower local entrepreneurs to start or expand their business in Hayden.  After winning first place, a great business plan and a successful 2024 season, Little Bee Juice looked back and realized they had everything they needed to make it a full-time business. 

They both quit their full-time jobs in March 2025 and used the prize money to purchase new equipment and take over the space at 118 Walnut Street for their new manufacturing space.  As it is just the two of them at the moment, they will not be open for retail, but hope to down the road.  However, you can find Little Bee Juice at Farmers Markets in Hayden, Steamboat, Dillon, and Vail, Community Ag Alliance, and many other store shelves as they build up their production and distribution networks.  Natalie still works as a birth doula and yoga teacher on the side with her business Wise Baby Bee.

Between the Hayden Business Pitch, and the many business to business interactions Little Bee Juice utilizes, this is just one story of the entrepreneurial prowess Hayden provides.

Be sure to follow Little Bee Juice on Instagram (@littlebeejuice) & their website to stay up to date. 

www.littlebeejuice.com