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At the Center for Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CSREI), we honor alumni who turn bold ideas into impactful ventures. This month, we spotlight Carlos M. Lopez, a proud member of WP’s Class of 2009 and one of the founding brothers behind Tropical Juice Bar — a fast-growing restaurant brand that blends tropical flavor with community purpose.
Carlos and his brothers were born in El Cedro, a small rural town in the Dominican Republic, where homes were made of wood, floors were clay, and chickens roamed the backyard. The town no longer exists. However, the memories and values they carried from there are foundational to their story. At age eight, the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Paterson, New Jersey. The transition brought its challenges: learning a new language, adapting to a new school system, and navigating unfamiliar terrain.
While in high school, the brothers took their first jobs in the restaurant industry. Carlos started as a dishwasher and worked his way up. “It was fun,” he recalls. “We met people, learned English, and dreamed of one day owning our own place.”
That dream became reality in 2010, when the brothers transformed a small barbershop into the first Tropical Juice Bar. With borrowed blenders and tiny grills, they began serving smoothies and sandwiches that honored their Dominican roots and entrepreneurial drive.
Today, Tropical Juice Bar is a thriving brand with 9 locations, over 100 team members, and several more stores in development. Their expansion is powered by a franchise model designed to give others — especially team members — the opportunity to become business owners themselves. “We want to encourage people to go for their dreams,” Carlos says. “Coming from humble beginnings, I know now that everything is possible.”
What sets Tropical Juice Bar apart is its values-driven culture. Their “Love It or Change It” customer promise reflects a deep commitment to satisfaction and transparency. Their acronym, GLOW, defines their company philosophy:
Carlos credits William Paterson University for nurturing his entrepreneurial mindset. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Health, while his brothers pursued Finance and Management. The university, he says, gave them the foundation to dream bigger, and the tools to make those dreams real.
As CSREI continues its work with entrepreneurs in Passaic County and beyond, Carlos’s journey is a reminder of what’s possible when courage, family, and community come together. A reminder that the path to entrepreneurship often begins with a leap of faith, and a whole lot of heart.
🔗 Read the full story on Tropical Juice Bar’s website
