Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcy Olsen.
Hi Marcy , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
15 years ago this month I co-founded Genuine Fresche with a simple but powerful vision: to create a space where people could access clean, nourishing food that actually tasted good. At the time, there weren’t many options for truly gluten-free, plant-based offerings, and my spouse and I saw an opportunity to serve our community in a meaningful way. What started as a small, local juice and açaí bowl shop has grown into a trusted staple in Arizona, known for our delicious blended acai bowls, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and a fully gluten-free menu where everything can be made vegan.
But my path hasn’t just been about building a business—it’s also been about personal transformation.
In my late 40s, I went through a major life shift due to a faith transition leaving a high-demand religion that had been a huge part of my entire life. That experience, while incredibly painful, became a turning point. It forced me to reconnect with myself, question everything, and ultimately step into a much more authentic version of who I am.
Out of that awakening, Starting Fresche was born. It’s an extension of everything I’ve lived and learned—blending my experience in entrepreneurship with my work in Human Design, coaching, and intuitive healing. Through Starting Fresche, I now support women who are navigating their own transitions, helping them reconnect to their truth, their bodies, and their purpose.
Today, I see both businesses as deeply connected. Genuine Fresche nourishes the physical body, while Starting Fresche supports emotional, energetic, and spiritual alignment. Together, they represent my life’s work: helping people come back to themselves and start fresh—on their own terms.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth wouldn’t be the word I’d use. Rewarding—yes. But it’s definitely been a path with a lot of real challenges.
When we first opened Genuine Fresche, we were one of the original açaí bowl shops in Arizona. There wasn’t a blueprint—we were introducing something new to the market, educating customers, and building it from the ground up. Now, 15 years later, the landscape looks very different. There are multiple chains and competitors on what feels like every corner, which naturally changes the dynamics of growth, visibility, and customer loyalty.
Then COVID hit, and like so many small businesses, we felt it. Our revenue has never fully or consistently returned to pre-COVID levels, and that’s been an ongoing reality we’ve had to adapt to. Consumer habits shifted, costs increased, and the margin for error in food service got even tighter.
And the truth is—running a small food business is hard, even in the best circumstances. You’re managing highly perishable inventory, staffing, rising costs, and the day-to-day unpredictability that comes with serving the public. It requires constant problem-solving, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when things feel uncertain.
At the same time, those challenges have shaped who I am as a business owner. They’ve forced me to get creative, stay connected to our community, and continually come back to why we started in the first place. It hasn’t been easy—but it has been meaningful, and that’s what’s kept me going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Genuine Fresche is known as one of Arizona’s original açaí bowl shops. We’ve built our reputation on quality and intention from the very beginning. Everything we serve is 100% gluten-free so naturally we have become a hub for the local gluten free community. We host monthly Gluten Free Vendor markets to support local gf bakers and makers.
Every menu item can be made vegan, which is still surprisingly rare in the food space. We specialize in blended açaí bowls, smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, and protein shakes—but what really sets us apart is the consistency and care behind the ingredients. Our customers trust us because they know they’re getting clean, nourishing food that supports their lifestyle without compromise. Being a local, independently owned business for 15 years is something I’m incredibly proud of, especially in an industry that’s become increasingly saturated with chains.
Starting Fresche is the evolution of my personal journey. It’s where I take everything I’ve lived, studied, and embodied—Human Design, intuitive guidance, holistic healing and real-life transformation—then use it to support others. I offer Human Design readings, coaching, and intuitive sessions designed to help women reconnect with who they truly are and navigate major life transitions with more clarity and confidence.
What sets both brands apart is the depth of intention behind them. This isn’t just about selling food or offering sessions—it’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to make changes that actually last. I think people can feel that when they walk into our shops or work with me one-on-one.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that we’ve stayed true to who we are. We didn’t follow trends—we helped start one. And even as the market has changed, we’ve continued to evolve without losing our core values.
What I want readers to know is that Fresche is more than a brand—it’s an invitation. Whether you’re coming in for a smoothie or stepping into deeper personal work, it’s about starting fresh in whatever way your life is calling for.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that may surprise people is that behind all the entrepreneurship, personal growth work, and public-facing roles, my greatest accomplishment and deepest source of fulfillment is my family.
My husband, Brad Olsen, and I have been together for 39 years, which feels incredibly rare and special these days. He has been my biggest supporter through every season of life—from building businesses and raising children to navigating some very difficult personal transitions. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without his love and steady support.
Together, we’ve raised seven children and now have 13 grandchildren, and they are absolutely my “why.” No matter how much I pour into my businesses or my work helping others, family is what matters most to me. At the end of the day, the people I love are the greatest richness in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://genuinefresche.com
- Instagram: @genuine_fresche @marcyolsen_startingfresche
- Facebook: @Genuine Fresche @Marcy Olsen Starting Fresche
