Strong foundations are the building blocks of new business success
BY ALTHEA ENGMAN Journal Staff
Located at the KG Plaza in Tamuning, Solid Grounds Coffee Shop held its grand opening on Feb. 24.
The cafe’s name comes from a parable in the Bible about a man who built his house on solid ground and another man who built his house on the sand. When the winds and the waves came, the house on the sand washed away but the house with a solid foundation stayed strong.
Ronny Espina, team member, Solid Grounds Coffee Shop; Jon Ramos, team member, Solid Grounds Coffee Shop Photo Courtesy of Solid Grounds Coffee Shop Ronny Espina, team member for Solid Ground, said, “We hope others would build their lives on solid grounds and our coffee too.”
Solid Ground Coffee Shop serves a small variety of pastries, sandwiches, and fruit bowls.
For drinks, Solid Ground offers most espresso-based drinks, cold brew, a variety of tea options, and specialty frappes. These items range from $6 to $9.
With a total of 11 employees, Espina said, “We wanted to create a place that is dedicated to growing that community of hard-working individuals to allow them take a quick break and enjoy the little moments of the day with a safe environment and some great coffee at our shop.”
Additionally, the idea of the coffee shop “came from the idea that our community is rooted by the daily lives of all the people working each day for our island to grow,” he said.
Solid Grounds Coffee shops bring in coffee beans from Olympia Coffee Roasters in Washington. According to Espina, “We opted for one of their medium roasts and hope to get people to try it with honey and cinnamon in our signature Solid Ground Latte.”
This beachside themed coffee shop hopes to expand its menu in the next few months.
Solid Grounds Coffee Shop is open Monday to Friday from 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
For more updates and additional information visit its Instagram page @solidgroundscoffeeshop.
Naturally Nourished, located on the first floor of the Micronesia Mall, recently opened its doors in February. Jade Vy, owner; told the Journal that she “is passionate about clean and healthy living.”
Naturally Nourished is a fresh juice and smoothie bar. All drink items are made with raw fruits and fresh veggies. “Every item on our menu is made from scratch for you on the spot, no shortcuts, no junk, no artificial sweeteners, purées or powders,” Vy said.
Naturally Nourished is located on the first floor of the Micronesia Mall. Photo by Althea Engman
“We stand by the famous quote ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’ by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often considered the father of Western medicine,” she said, Customers can expect fresh juices and smoothies priced at $9, lemonades at $7, matcha lattes at $8, ginger shots at $4 and acai bowls at $12.
Vy said her reason for opening is “to give the residents and visitors of Guam a healthy and convenient way to get their daily dose of nutrients, whether you’re taking your first steps to healthier living or continuing down that path, Naturally Nourished will help you transform your lifestyle. The journey is yours for the taking.”
The juce bar will be setting up specials, a rewards system as well as updating its menu to reflect seasonal produce. Additionally, Vy said the juice bar “plans to be more proactive in the community and provide workshops and participate in local events to spread awareness of living a healthier lifestyle.”
For more updates and more information visit its Instagram page @naturallynourishedguam.
Starsand Technologies will be bringing in Mudbot’s 3D Concrete Printer as a way to solve Guam’s current affordable housing shortage.
Concrete printers can build tiny homes, customs homes and industrial buildings at reduced rates.
Ann Dela CruzThis idea came about when Ann Dela Cruz, co-founder of Starsand Technologies who is also an Army veteran, came back to the island only to see veterans like herself struggling to find affordable housing.
Dela Cruz says Starsand will partner with Got Your 671, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping island veterans. The partnership will be the pilot program in creating these tiny homes for homeless veterans.
According to Dela Cruz, as a company, Starsand can only “build the exterior of the home” using the concrete printer. She said during a University of Guam roundtable in November, Starsand presented the technology with the goal to show the design and reach out to companies in support of this cause for things such as doors, windows, plumbing, and electricity.
Starsand Technologies has committed to creating one tiny home with a groundbreaking to take place in November. Dela Cruz “this tiny home will act as a transitional home till further assistance is provided to the veteran.” She adds that “although Starsand is creating this home, GY 671 will own and manage the tiny homes with a goal of creating a community filled with them.”
The desire of Starsands is to “stay in the realm of affordable housing, meaning creating houses for the low and middle class,” Dela Cruz said.
Blue Ocean Behavioral Health Clinic — formerly the IHP Behavioral Team — announced late March its opening on the third level of Pacific Place in Tumon.
Dr. Alan Butler, a clinical psychologist, has joined the Blue Ocean Behavioral Health Clinic. Photo courtesy of Blue Ocean Behavioral Health ClinicAccording to Eveline Campus, co-founder and vice president of business development at Blue Ocean Medical Group; the group has “expanded its services that adopt a multi-level approach to mental wellness, including individual, marriage, and family therapy; specialized behavioral health diagnostic evaluations; dynamic group therapy sessions, and treatment modalities as well as Behavioral Health Corporate Service.”
Corporate services include training and workshops for teachers, physicians, and other professionals to assist with successfully interacting with their clients, patients, and students.
Dr. Alan Butler has also joined the Blue Ocean Team.
He is a clinical psychologist who provides individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and psychological evaluations to diagnose various conditions such as Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, and PTSD.
Joleen Baza, director of Behavioral Health Services at Blue Ocean Behavioral Health said, “The opening of BOBH marks a new chapter in the journey towards mental wellness for our community.”
Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and. Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For appointments and inquiries, call (671) 633-4447 option 1 or WhatsApp (671) 480-3833, or email [email protected] for inquiries. mbj
