Venus Williams Opens Up Her Third Jamba Juice In DC Metro Area

July 13th, 2012

Venus Williams, fresh off of her Wimbeldon doubles win, popped into town this week to open up two of her Jamba Juice franchises. Who knew! Tennis star, Washington Kastles member, and business owner! She stopped by her Dupont Circle store, albeit about 30-50 minutes late because of a train delay from New York City, which had some people grumbling because of the heat.

What is Jamba Juice? It is a leading healthy, active company and a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you, specialty beverage and food offerings.

Venus Williams signs poster

She arrived via a carvan of black SUVs. She stepped out of the van, in her jeans and a pink top, looking slim and trim, and waved to the excited crowd. She was quickly escorted onto the orange carpet media area with the Jamba Juice sign in the back. She gamely took picture with a guy dressed as a banana, the President of Stores and COO Bruce Schroder of Jamba Juice and others. I snapped some great pictures of her even though I was getting crushed by cameras on my head and my shoulder. I felt like I was at a Justin Bieber concert! Venus explained to Daily Caller’s Nick Ballasy that she was not publically supporting Barack Obama for president which I found surprising. She also repeated over and over again that for young women to be successful they have to believe in themselves. Amen!

Venus is very sweet in person, humble and surprisingly tall. I’m 5’10 and she towered over me. When I told her congratulations on all of her success coming from stark means to where she is today, she acted like she had never heard those words before and said, “Oh, thank you!”

Venus Williams cuts ribbon

After the orange carpet, Venus was whisked up to the podium. The podium had a nice picture of her swinging a tennis racket. First the COO spoke and then Venus spoke. The COO emphasized how he had met with the Department of Labor chair the other day and how Jamba Juice was hiring a lot of folks. I later gave him my card and asked him to please hire military veterans.

Venus spoke about being excited to be in DC again. She strongly believes in Jamba Juice because it is helping to fight obesity in America which is a cause close to heart. Venus also has a lot of friends here and is grateful for Jamba Juice’s support. Apparently her sister was there too. I overheard her sister talking about them going to the ESPYs later on.. wish I could go!

After the speeches, Venus then went into the store for photo ops and was making a drink with some of the staff. I kindly asked her to take her visor off because none of the media could get a clear shot. She quickly complied and the media around me, thanked me.

Lastly Venus sat down at the autograph table in the store. I was able to quickly get over there and get a great photo with her. As I left the store, I was amazed at the long line to get into see her, despite the heat. Who doesn’t love a national hero like Venus!?

Jamba Juice also puts its money where its mouth is. They have paired up with Venus Williams, National PTA, National Childhood Obesity Foundation and others to combat obesity. They have founded the Team Up for a Healthy America Campaign. People can sign up for the healthy pledge and for each pledge received they will donate $1 to schools in need for athletic equipment. Sign up here.