Today we’d like to introduce you to Ang VonEbers.
Hi Ang, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up a ballet dancer, so fitness and nutrition were second nature to me from a young age. In South Africa, we lived close to our food: bread came from the baker, meat from the butcher, and milk was delivered to our doorstep. So when I immigrated to the U.S., walking down a grocery store’s bread aisle felt like stepping into a nutritional twilight zone. Ingredient lists were filled with unfamiliar chemicals, and I found myself both hyperaware and deeply cautious.
10 Years later I became a mom.
My daughter was born with a rare birth defect and underwent her first medical procedure at just four weeks old. Hospital stays became a regular part of our lives. During those long days and nights by her side, one truth became painfully clear: fresh, whole, nutrient-dense food was nearly impossible to find in hospitals—for patients or their families. What they did offer? Packaged meals loaded with additives, sugars, and preservatives. It gnawed at me. I wanted to make a change. I just didn’t know how—yet.
Fast forward seven years. My daughter was rushed to the ER with a severe flare-up of her condition, which began a grueling 40-day ordeal. Her airway was compromised. She was intubated and placed in an induced coma. Every moment of those 40 days, I stayed by her side—researching, questioning, and desperately searching for answers.
She was rapidly losing weight via a feeding tube. I asked to see the nutritional label on the formula being used—and was horrified. It was mostly sugar. I asked for better-quality alternatives, but was told they weren’t covered by insurance. I didn’t care—I paid out of pocket. But even those options weren’t much better.
Soon, the doctors mentioned a G-tube. For me, that wasn’t a solution. It was just one more invasive intervention layered on top of a crumbling foundation. I refused to accept it. I began collaborating with speech pathologists and outside nutritionists to make incremental changes. Our goal? To get her off the feeding tube, out of the bed, and eating solid food—before day 40.
She took her first steps and had her first solid meal on Day 36.
Then, heartbreak again—she contracted food poisoning from that meal. On Day 40, she was discharged.
That experience changed everything.
I knew I wanted to do something—something that could bring real, nourishing food to people who need it most. Whether it’s a hospitalized child, a time-strapped working mom, a young athlete constantly on the go, or anyone struggling to access balanced nutrition—I wanted to be part of the solution.
So, I dove in. I started growing my own vegetables, learned how to ferment and preserve food, devoured every book I could find about gut health, and studied while working as a graphic designer. I explored every possible outlet—school lunch programs, snack ideas for kids, meal prep for busy families. And then came the moment of clarity.
In 2023, after being part of a company-wide layoff, I finally had space to reflect. I realized that smoothies had been my nutritional lifeline for years—as a dancer, fitness instructor, full-time working mom. Smoothies were my “fast food,” packed with fiber, fats, vitamins, protein, electrolytes, and superfoods. And they were accessible to almost everyone—young or old, sick or healthy, picky or adventurous.
That was it.
I had found my calling: to open a smoothie and juice bar rooted in real nutrition—no added sugar, no toxic ingredients, no BS, just pure ingredients. I wanted to make healthy, delicious, functional food fast and accessible.
I knew I couldn’t do it alone. As an immigrant, I needed the support and structure of a franchise. But finding one that aligned with my values was a challenge—until I discovered Pure Green, a Florida-based company that checked every one of my boxes.
The final hurdle? Becoming the first Pure Green in California—and securing a loan to do it.
Today, Pure Green Carlsbad has been open for six months. Nestled in the North County Plaza between the 5 and 78, it’s a dream brought to life. I work 14 hours a day, 7 days a week—but I’m driven by passion, faith, and a mission to nourish my community.
Every smoothie I serve is a step toward changing how we think about food, healing, and health. And this is just the beginning. You could say I went from Ballet to Blenders.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting this kind of business feels a lot like riding a never-ending rollercoaster — full of highs, lows, and unexpected turns. Opening the first Pure Green in California was no easy feat. At the time, I was unemployed, raising a teenager on my own, far from family, and facing the intense challenges of running a small business in this state.
Now, just six months in, the ride hasn’t slowed down — but I keep pushing forward. Why? Because the mission remains unchanged: to empower people to make healthier choices. I believe that consuming real, nutritional ingredients doesn’t just transform your body — it transforms your life, your present, and your future.
And if I can support my community through that transformation, then every twist and turn of this journey is worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pure Green Carlsbad?
Pure Green Carlsbad is a hidden gem tucked between Orange theory Fitness and Sonus in the Marshalls center. We are the first Pure Green franchise in California and only the second on the West Coast. Owned and operated by a determined immigrant woman, this location brings a fresh, handcrafted approach to wellness. Every smoothie, juice, and açaí bowl is made with organic ingredients—free from sugar, gums, binders, and seed oils—because we believe clean, nourishing food should never compromise on quality.
What truly sets us apart? Our lack of toxic ingredients. Each smoothie is packed with a full 20 oz of fruit and vegetables, with no ice—meaning no dilution, just pure nutrition. We also offer a wide variety of boosters, allowing our guests to customize their drinks and bowls to fit their unique health goals. At Pure Green Carlsbad, we’re passionate about supporting every step of your wellness journey. Welcome to your new favorite smoothie spot!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Doing meaningful work that aligns with my values whilst building an unknown brand as an immigrant woman—that alone is a huge win. Showing my child what resilience, ambition, and adaptability look like and celebrating small wins everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.puregreenfranchise.com/california/carlsbad/
- Instagram: puregreen_carlsbad
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PureGreenCarlsbad-e6y
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pure-green-carlsbad
