Mark Choo
In this interview, Mark Choo explains how Shake Smoothie Bar was founded and her goals for the brand.
What do you do, and how did you get into the industry?
Currently, I’m one of the co-founders for both Tribe Boxing Studio & Shake Smoothie Bar brand, alongside my partner Christian Lee. When I first graduated from university in America, I returned to KL. I started a health tech startup focused on telemedicine. Thus started my journey to create offerings that provide a healthier and better alternative than what is already available in the market.
For Tribe, it started out with wanting to create a community of fitness-goers who genuinely wanted a fulfilling workout in a comfortable and welcoming environment and, more importantly, making fitness enjoyable and accessible to anyone who wants to make a positive change. Shake Smoothie Bar was born a few years later when we realised that good health and wellness are majorly dependent on what we consume and because our members enjoyed hanging out at our studio after classes. We then took the next step by offering consumers only high-quality, nutritious and dairy-free beverages and bowls suitable for both pre and post-workouts, a quick nutrition boost, or even a daily healthy ‘thirst-quencher.
Share with us an interesting story from behind the scenes.
Shake Smoothie Bar first started operations in June 2020. However, our original launch date was meant to be a few months earlier, in February 2020. After seeing that MCO extended multiple times, we decided to no longer prolong our opening and to just start off with deliveries. As we did not have a full-fledge team or happen to be on any apps, most of the things we did were manual and through word of mouth – starting from the ordering experience; in which we used Google Forms and IG messages, down to the delivery of smoothies and bowls, where most of us, including myself and Chris, became part-time smoothie delivery drivers!
What’s a food memory from your childhood or travels that stands out?
As a teenager, I spent my school summer holidays working my way up at the family restaurant. I started in the kitchen and then went on to being a waiter and even a junior bartender. The best part of being a waiter was looking at and smell all the delicious food coming from the kitchen. There was also a specific instance where we had to upsell one of the new dishes on the menu that looked particularly unique, so I walked around the restaurant a couple of times with the new dish. Sure enough, a couple of customers asked me what dish I was holding and proceeded to order it. That taught me an important lesson with food – that we first eat with our ‘eyes’.
Mark Choo’s favourite food and beverage pairing?
A good glass of white wine with seafood spaghetti aglio olio or vongole is normally my go-to.
What’s something you’d like guests to know about your brand?
Shake is a smoothie bar brand that aims to be a healthier alternative specialising in delicious dairy-free, blended-to-order real fruit and vegetable smoothies and nutrient-rich options such as handcrafted acai and fruit-based smoothie bowls. Shake’s food approach is simple — creating accessible healthy food that our body needs. Healthy does not mean having to sacrifice taste. The menu has been revamped across all categories for continued innovation, which will take a modern spin on traditional smoothies and give customers greater flavour and more nutrient-rich health benefits. The new menu will appeal to customers, especially millennials, looking for convenience as they live a fast-paced yet healthy lifestyle.
What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?
Besides the menu revamp that will be taking place before the end of February, Shake will also be rebranding to ensure our brand remains connected and engaged with our primary target market of working-class millennials who have fast-paced lifestyles and hectic schedules. Our revamped menu offerings aim to cater for any occasion, whether it be a product to consume before or after a workout, a mid-day snack to boost your energy levels and focus or even as a form of meal replacement.
Shake aims to expand to other locations and stores around the Klang Valley to make healthier eating and drinking accessible to all Malaysians in the mid to long-run.
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These things are very trendy nowadays – I’ve yet to give any of them a try.
A person who has incredible drive and knows how to stay current and remain competitive. Great interview!