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Ron “Six” Montgomery of Bay Shore had never juiced before. But once he started, he couldn’t stop.
“I found a love and a passion for it that I didn’t know I had,” he said.
The Central Islip native began juicing when his mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. He wanted to create something that tasted good and was healthy, all with the goal of keeping her strong and balanced.
“I wanted to help my mom and make something healthy for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “ So I started on my counter with a $40 juicer and we just kept expanding.”
Since founding The Six Juice Company nearly four years ago, Montgomery has been selling his product online, with the help of his social media presence, and in various stores on Long Island.
As of now, he’s creating his own line of healthy juices, shakes and cleanses out of a commercial kitchen in Amityville. But that’s about to change.
He told GreaterBabylon he’s working toward opening his first brick-and-mortar Six Juice bar in Sayville within the next six months.
“I sell a lot of juice to people who are sick,” he said. “I want them to come into my new shop, even for a minute, to just have fun. I want people to feel loved, taken care of and feel good.”
The Six Juice Company creates all of its products by hand.
They use all-natural, non-GMO fruits and vegetables, priding themselves on being healthy, delicious, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and 100 percent organic, with no added preservatives, Montgomery said.
As one of the only a few Black-owned juice businesses on Long Island, his vision is to help young minorities and women, in business and in life, by showing them that they can do anything they set their minds to.
“Being the only Black-owned company in the area, certain doors won’t open because of the stigma,” he said. “I want to show people from my neighborhood that you don’t need to have a jump shot, you don’t need to be a rapper… I want to help give opportunities to women, opportunities that they normally wouldn’t have.”
Right now, customers can buy Six juice at a growing list of locations across the South Shore. But starting soon, Montgomery will be bringing his products to the city as well, with the ultimate goal of being located at over 400 stores across the boroughs.
But, he still wants to keep all operations local.
“I’m from Long Island. Strong Island. I want to take care of my community. I want to build my company here on the island… There’s nothing like this around.”
Montgomery had no prior experience in creating healthy drinks prior to his mom’s diagnosis. He said if it weren’t for his family, wife and friends, this dream would have never become a reality.
“I have parents who taught me how to hustle and not quit,” he said. “I have a great team. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
He’s also planning on a line of kids’ juices to hit shelves before the end of the year. “My friends’ kids taste-test the products,” he said. “If I can get a 4- or 5-year-old to like it, then I’m doing my job. I trick them … they don’t know how healthy it is because it tastes so good.”
Montgomery’s inspiration for Six Juice, his mother, survived her bout with breast cancer. She’s also survived a massive heart attack, COVID-19, diabetes, and avoided a hip surgery.
“And she’s still here chillin’,” he said.
Photos by Julianne Mosher
