According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 631,636 American people died of heart disease in 2006; representing 26% of deaths of that year, heart disease retains its status as the leading cause of deaths among both men and women, a record held since the 1970's. With statistics so alarming, one would hope some proactive measures are being taken to aid in both awareness and prevention. Fortunately, some of the energy in combating heart disease is stemming from right here on the Kean University campus! John Vitug, a student of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College, is anticipating a May 2011 graduation with a degree in psychology concentrating in human behavior and organizational psychology; from there, Vitug plans to continue his "heart-filled" fight! Vitug is the president of a company headed by a four man team seeking to establish what Vitug calls "the original heart drink": Heart Juice.
Heart Juice is a 10 fluid ounce, 100% all-natural beverage that focuses on the heart healthy benefits of hawthorn and Resveratrol. The hawthorn berry has a long history of medical use and is still used in modern medicine throughout many countries; its primary designated used for the treatment of irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and congestive heart failure. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in the skin of red wine grapes and has been used in many recent studies to enhance and support heart health. In addition to these two main components, Heart Juice contains a blend of natural plants high in antioxidants and heart-supporting vitamins; it is also absent of any artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or preservatives.
For the Heart Juice team, "putting [their] ethics and morals into the products" is essential. Vitug, commented on the standing drive and long-term goals his team had for the company: "We want to be as transparent as possible and really create a culture of honesty, social responsibility, and giving back to society. We eventually want to give back and work with the American Heart Association in furthering their cause of a healthier America."
With Vitug is Kean University alumnus, Warren Chen, Heart Juice's vice president of operations. Chen graduated with a B.A. in sociology and a M.A. in instruction and curriculum. The CEO of Heart Juice is Ray Li, a B.A. in business candidate from Rutgers University; the CFO, Shaun Bratton, is a M.B.A. candidate at Rutgers Business School.
"We don't only want to promote a healthier heart," Vitug commented. "We want people to know the key to being healthy is a lifestyle change." According to the CDC, nine out of ten heart disease patients have at least one risk factor associated with them; some of these include: high cholesterol, diabetes, cigarette smoking, obesity, and alcohol abuse.
Vitug attributes his confidence in sustaining a business to his education. While pursuing a degree in psychology, Vitug said he found out more about himself which "better equipped" his ability to socialize with other people. Confidence is an element Vitug sets successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs apart. "I think if you concentrate on the negatives and all the things that can go wrong, it will eventually go wrong; like a self-fulfilling prophecy," Vitug noted.
The Heart Juice team will be competing in the 2011 annual Rutgers Business Plan competition; this offers the opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch business concepts and execution strategies to industry veterans and professionals. In addition to having to platform to expose their humanitarian business, Vitug commented on the additional, long-term benefits to showcasing Heart Juice. "It's a win-win situation, in that, if our business is a success, we can foster job creation and help out New Jersey's economy."
To find out more about the Heart Juice business and product, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heartjuice or follow their business venture on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/heartjuice.
