Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Barnett.
Hi Dominique, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I originally started working at a small juice bar just to fill some free time, but I ended up falling in love with it. I loved experimenting with fruits and vegetables, creating combinations that brought together both flavor and nutrition. I loved how the juices tasted, but even more, I loved how they made me feel.
That curiosity turned into something deeper. I started diving into books and podcasts, learning everything I could about the benefits of organic, cold-pressed juice.
At home, I began juicing with my mom’s Champion juicer from the 90s by making fresh orange juice for my daughter and sneaking carrots into anything I could.
About a year later, my husband, Steven, and I talked about purchasing the juice bar I had been working at. But we quickly realized we didn’t want to build under someone else’s vision. We wanted our own vibe, our own recipes, and our own story.
A couple of years later, my parents started building an RV park, The Hill. At the front of the property was a small building they fully restored—and they told me it would be mine whenever I was ready to open my juice bar. At the time, I truly thought that would be 5–10 years down the road. But then the thought hit me: if not now, when? With a lot of loving (and persistent) encouragement from my husband and family everything moved quickly. We jumped in and started building what would become Sunny Hill Juice. What began as a way to nourish my family with organic juice turned into something so much bigger than I ever imagined. With so much love, support, and encouragement from the people around me, Sunny Hill Juice was born. We officially opened our doors in September 2025—and as a Bastrop native, it means everything to me to serve the community that helped raise me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My husband really made this whole process feel like a smooth road. He helped me get everything I needed, or thought I might need, from fridges and freezers to juicers and all the little things that go into opening your doors.
My parents also gave me the opportunity to start rent-free, which was such a blessing. I’ve had so much support along the way (and still do), and I don’t take that lightly.
Even before opening, I had people reaching out, asking for juices and placing orders—I was so excited to fulfill them. September felt like the perfect time to open. Of course, business hasn’t been without its ups and downs. The holidays and a couple of freezes slowed things down, then Texas gave us that “false spring” boost… followed by more winter and rain. It’s slowly picking back up, but I’ve definitely had moments of doubt and second-guessing. I’m learning that owning a business is unpredictable, there’s no perfect pattern or formula. It’s a rollercoaster. But I’m having fun, and I’m learning so much along the way.
Imposter syndrome is real, and I’ve learned it hits all of us.
Thankfully, I have Sarah, who works with me and truly is my right hand. I would be so burnt out without her. She brings such a light energy to everything—truly, to know her is to love her. Right now, I’m at my first pop-up in Round Top, TX, and I’m so excited for the growth and lessons that will come from this experience.
At the end of the day, I genuinely love what I’m doing and that makes it all worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sunny HIll Juicee?
At Sunny Hill Juice I make organic, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, along with a few favorites like bagels from Rockstar Bagel in Austin.
We also offer Echo hydrogen water, something I truly believe is an incredible addition to your daily routine. The benefits are amazing. We serve it by the jug and incorporate it into our refreshers, like Tart Cherry Limeade and Strawberry Honey.
I’m proud to work with a local baker, Lindsey Bell of Little Bear Baked Goods. I use her sourdough for our avocado toast, and she makes the most incredible gluten-free banana bread. It’s a customer favorite, and I can barely keep it on the shelves. We also serve as a weekly pickup location for her pre-orders, which makes it even more special to support one another locally.
Sunny Hill is more than just a juice bar, it’s a place where you’ll run into a friend or make a new one. My goal has always been to create a space where people feel seen, connected, and nourished both inside and out.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is having people who wholeheartedly believe in you, especially during moments of doubt. It’s doing something you’re truly passionate about, waking up excited each day, and constantly thinking about how to grow it into something even bigger.
Pricing:
- organic cold pressed Juice $9
- Smoothies $10
- Hydrogen water
- avocado toast
- bagels
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunnyhilljuice.com
- Instagram: @sunnyhilljuice
- Facebook: @sunnyhilljuice
