Meet Jo-Anne Barr

We were lucky to catch up with Jo-Anne Barr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jo-Anne, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from knowing that I’m building something that matters. I see optimism as holding on to your vision, even when things feel uncertain. It’s believing in that vision fully, while learning to let go of how you’ll get there. Negative thoughts will always show up, but I try not to let them drain my energy. I’ve learned that positivity has to be paired with action, otherwise it’s just a feeling that fades.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a Registered Nurse and the founder of GrassJoy, a clean-label refrigerated gelatin snack made with grass-fed gelatin and organic fruit juice. I started GrassJoy after seeing what’s served in hospitals every day and realizing it could be so much better. Many food options are filled with artificial ingredients that don’t truly support health. I wanted to bring back something classic, even a hospital staple, and make it better using simple, better-for-you ingredients that people can feel good about.

After validating GrassJoy at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, we’re now preparing to launch in retail, starting with natural grocery stores. This month, we were honored to receive a $25k EmpowHer Grant from the Boundless Futures Foundation, which supports women founders creating businesses that make social impact. This grant will be instrumental in helping us move toward commercialization and bring GrassJoy to more families.

The vision is to inspire change toward cleaner and more nourishing food options in homes, schools, and hospitals.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

For me, the three most important qualities are mindset, courage, and service. Everything starts and ends within us, and having the right mindset is key. Building a brand, to me, isn’t about what I’ll get but about the value I can give. I’ve learned that stepping into uncertainty and discomfort is how we grow and expand. And as a nurse, I’ve seen how service means helping others, solving problems, and making an impact. Entrepreneurship is the same.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents showed me what it truly means to serve others. In the Philippines, they have a yearly tradition of helping the community, such as hosting a Christmas party for over a hundred less fortunate kids, feeding them and giving them presents. They’re also entrepreneurs, and I’ve seen how failure never stops them. They always rebuild, rise again, and start something new. I didn’t realize it back then, but their resilience and courage are traits I carry with me today as I build GrassJoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.grassjoygelatin.com/
• Instagram: @grassjoygelatin
• Facebook: @grassjoygelatin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-anne-barr-5b75a8157/

Image Credits

Jen Rocha