Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla Castanon.
Hi Makayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
WHY I STARTED CRUSH (5 YEARS AGO)
5 years ago… this all started with a feeling. 💭
We had just moved here because of the military.
I was home with my first baby, far from family, and honestly… I didn’t know anyone.
It was lonely.
It was overwhelming.
And I knew I needed something more.
I didn’t just want a business…
👉 I wanted connection.
👉 I wanted purpose.
👉 I wanted a place where people could walk in and feel good.
Before this, I was a nurse and a hairstylist — and both of those careers had one thing in common:
I loved helping people feel better, inside and out.
So I took what I knew about health, energy, and positivity… and built something around it.
Crush was never just about drinks.
It was about creating:
• a space where people feel seen
• a place that brings the community together
• something positive in people’s everyday lives
What started as just me (with a baby in tow 🥹)
turned into a team… a family… a whole community.
There were days I didn’t know if it would work.
Days I was exhausted.
Days I questioned everything.
But I kept showing up.
And now 5 years later…
this little idea built from a season of loneliness has turned into something so much bigger than I ever imagined.
A place full of life, love, and people who walk through our doors not just for a drink… but for how it makes them feel.
And that right there… is my why 💖
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We definitely had our hiccups along the way moving from Texas to Georgia. The rules and regulations were not the same, and we learned that the hard way. Effingham County, especially five years ago, was known for being one of the toughest when it came to the health department. But through every obstacle, we kept pushing, overcame the challenges, and came out on top.
I will never forget the day the health department showed up at my door and told me we had to close due to certain regulations. My husband was deployed at the time, and I had no one. It was a waiting game all on its own, trying to figure it out while holding everything together.
But I didn’t give up.
And now… look at us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are best known for our famous açaí bowls, delicious energy drinks, and custom-made, locally roasted coffee. The best part is that we truly offer something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a smoothie, shake, tea, coffee, cake pop, or something completely customized just for you, we have you covered.
Recently, I was honored to win Most Fab Female Business Owner and Most Fab Woman. To even be nominated by my customers was such an incredible feeling, but to actually win was beyond anything I could have imagined. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude.
I pour my heart, soul, and then some into my business, my customers, and most importantly, my employees. I believe what sets us apart is how transparent, informative, welcoming, and genuine we are. We take pride in every single thing we do, and that love shows in every drink we make and every person who walks through our doors.
I’ve had so many customers come back and tell me it’s not just about the drinks — it’s about how they feel when they’re here. It’s about being valued, appreciated, and truly taken care of long after they leave.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
“I was raised by my dad all 18 years of my life, and what people don’t always see is how much I had to figure out on my own at a very young age… and how proud I am of that.
Nothing about me came from comfort—my work ethic, my strength, my mindset… it all came from survival. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
