Community Highlights: Meet Stephanie Diehl of The Wellness Rock Cafe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Diehl

Stephanie , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Wellness Rock Cafe, formerly known as Garden City Nutrition, first opened its doors on March 1st, 2022. The cafe was founded by me, Stephanie Diehl. I initially sought to expand my multi-level marketing business, Herbalife, by creating a physical space to connect with customers, grow my network & build my multi-level marketing business. However, about a year into the business, I felt as if God was calling me to do more, which led to a complete re-branding of the cafe. I renamed the business, The Wellness Rock Cafe, redesigned the menu, and redefined its mission, shifting from just promoting products and building a business, to fostering community and supporting others’ well-being.

Located at 30020 Ford Rd in Garden City, Michigan, The Wellness Rock Cafe is now a thriving cafe that offers a variety of nourishing options, including smoothies, smoothie bowls, variety of toast, protein coffee, protein balls, and so much more! I am 100% owner of the LLC and I have built a business focused on more than just food and drinks; it’s a space where the body, mind, and spirit are nurtured, not just for my customers but for my employees as well.

Before starting my company, I always imagined leading a strong team of women and that is what I get to do every single day. We are a women-owned and operated company, so sometimes our personalities can clash, but at the end of the day, we are all family! Since we are family focused, many of my employees are mothers and I allow them to bring their kids to work, which eliminates the need for day-care. I also focus on my employees’ strengths and place them where I know their strengths will be nourished, and they will have an opportunity to learn and grow. We, as a team, are always encouraging each other to be better, stronger, and healthier.

The decision to re-brand just one year after opening was a major turning point for me and my business. It involved not only a new name but also a new mission: “To cultivate a vibrant and thriving community by nourishing the body, mind, and spirit.” The cafe now regularly hosts community-focused, family-friendly events, nearly once a month, as part of its commitment to building connections and supporting the local area.

With 90% of our customers being regulars, The Wellness Rock Cafe has become a familiar and trusted place in the community. We track our growth through metrics like daily sales, new customer visits, and the popularity of combo purchases. Despite competition from other nutrition shops in the area, Tropical Smoothie, and Beyond Juice, our main focus is on community and holistic wellness, which sets us apart.

I continue to operate the cafe, not only to see how far I can take my vision, but to also be the light of Jesus for those who walk through my doors.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel like all businesses have their ups and downs but the valleys make mountains!

Some of the struggles we have faced along the way is the struggle within the economy. With us not being a necessity in most peoples eyes, we are the first thing many people cut out of their budget. Fortunately for us, we consistently host community events and provide new specials monthly and quarterly to keep people intrigued!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Wellness Rock Cafe, formerly known as Garden City Nutrition, first opened its doors on March 1st, 2022. The cafe was founded by me, Stephanie Diehl. I initially sought to expand my multi-level marketing business, Herbalife, by creating a physical space to connect with customers, grow my network & build my multi-level marketing business. However, about a year into the business, I felt as if God was calling me to do more, which led to a complete re-branding of the cafe. I renamed the business, The Wellness Rock Cafe, redesigned the menu, and redefined its mission, shifting from just promoting products and building a business, to fostering community and supporting others’ well-being.

Located at 30020 Ford Rd in Garden City, Michigan, The Wellness Rock Cafe is now a thriving cafe that offers a variety of nourishing options, including smoothies, smoothie bowls, variety of toast, protein coffee, protein balls, and so much more! I am 100% owner of the LLC and I have built a business focused on more than just food and drinks; it’s a space where the body, mind, and spirit are nurtured, not just for my customers but for my employees as well.

Before starting my company, I always imagined leading a strong team of women and that is what I get to do every single day. We are a women-owned and operated company, so sometimes our personalities can clash, but at the end of the day, we are all family! Since we are family focused, many of my employees are mothers and I allow them to bring their kids to work, which eliminates the need for day-care. I also focus on my employees’ strengths and place them where I know their strengths will be nourished, and they will have an opportunity to learn and grow. We, as a team, are always encouraging each other to be better, stronger, and healthier.

The decision to re-brand just one year after opening was a major turning point for me and my business. It involved not only a new name but also a new mission: “To cultivate a vibrant and thriving community by nourishing the body, mind, and spirit.” The cafe now regularly hosts community-focused, family-friendly events, nearly once a month, as part of its commitment to building connections and supporting the local area.

With 90% of our customers being regulars, The Wellness Rock Cafe has become a familiar and trusted place in the community. We track our growth through metrics like daily sales, new customer visits, and the popularity of combo purchases. Despite competition from other nutrition shops in the area, Tropical Smoothie, and Beyond Juice, our main focus is on community and holistic wellness, which sets us apart.

I continue to operate the cafe, not only to see how far I can take my vision, but to also be the light of Jesus for those who walk through my doors.

What does success mean to you?
This is a question that I actually asked myself earlier this year! I would say I used to define success based on the amount of money you had in your bank account but I personally define success by the amount of people you impact!

Just because I may not have the most money in my bank account, the amount of people I have impacted since opening my business is something money cannot buy!

Pricing:

• $9-$20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pensight.com/x/thewellnessrock
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessrockcafe/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellnessrockcafe
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewellnessrockpodcast