nj biz celebrates business leader icons who are:
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Over 60 years of age
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Innovative and successful industry leaders
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Contributions to their respective communities
By: NJBIZ STAFF
On May 28, 2022 our team will celebrate Enrique Wegel, co-founder of juice basin in the company of this year’s New Jersey Business honorees from at The Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Ave., NJ from 8-10am.
The 2022 NJBIZ ICON Awards recognize leaders over the age of 60 from New Jersey industries such as manufacturing, health care, financial services, commercial real estate etc. One nominee from each respective market segment will receive the ICON award for their contribution New Jersey’s larger business community.
ICON Nominee Q&A
Who is The Gentleman of Juice and why should he receive the NJBIZ Icon Award? He’s a 73-year young legend. Enrique Wegel is real and has nothing to prove.
How does he give the best of life to employees of the juice basin? First, he's bi-lingual so he advocates for Latino Americans associated with the juice basin. Aids them to access health care services, assists them with credit challenges and even purchased a home to secure their residency in Asbury Park knowing that it would only be a matter of time before his team would not be able to afford modest rents in the city by the Atlantic. By purchasing a home for his employees years ago in Asbury Park, NJ, Enrique assured his team that they and their families would succeed in Asbury Park.
He advocates for his company's employees representing them in legal issues which often arise within underserved communities thus ensuring fair representation in the local courts should a team member accidentally get involved in an improper situation. He aids their vision of betterment by spending time and discussing their dreams and aspirations while stepping in whenever possible to confirm success.
After employment with juice basin he often writes persuasive letters of recommendation to universities for program acceptance or potential employers for opportunity employment and prior to COVID hosted an annual party for all who are or were employed by juice basin in his home to reconnect.
The Gentleman of Juice:
The Gentleman of Juice shares his secrets to a life worth the squeeze by establishing the juice basin as the first USDA organic certified, fresh cold press company in the Garden State. juice basin today is the only FDA compliant wholesale artisan fresh juice company in the state. Competitors go to co-packers to press, mix, and bottle juices. Not juice basin. Instead, juice basin employs a team of hard-working folks to press, mix and bottle fresh juices. It was necessary for the team to attend Cornell University juice HACCP certification; after which Enrique committed additional finances to adhere to FDA compliance in the manufacturing process. It took close to two years and about $75,000 in resources to comply. He does not give up. As well, and more important, Enrique commits to USDA organic certification annually which again, costs time, knowledge, and constant oversight to maintain the credential. He believes the field workers should not die from carcinogenic sprayed on fruits and vegetables, as well, his employees deserve to handle only the best produce while his product is the best known to many customers. You would be hard pressed to find another juice basin type of business in NJ because they simply do not exist. Last, Enrique perfected the layout of future stores so there is another juice basin in Jersey City (there was a third in Montclair until the landlord died and the son decided to sell to a developer, a wrecking ball moment for Montclair citizens).
The Gentleman of Juice confidently manages expectations and executes goals while never forgetting his most important role: the head of the household. He has four children, two grandchildren and is married to the love of his life. He manages his wellness by swimming a mile a day and tinkering with his son on mechanical passions. He is iconic and one of a kind in business and in his community. Upon retirement he will run for City Council in Asbury Park. As an immigrant he knows the challenges of the underserved while teaching through example, "Life is hard, you work hard, you play hard, and you give more".