NORTH SMITHFIELD – Since 2019, husband and wife team Nina Hayes and James Fortier have been serving up nutrition, selling healthy shakes, juices and teas from a space on Social Street in Woonsocket dubbed Positive Vibes.
Soon, they’ll expand their reach, with a new store set to open in neighboring North Smithfield at 585 Smithfield Road.
Soul Shine Nutrition will occupy a leased space at Kamil Sarji’s property, joining businesses Gold Door Realty and shared workspace Good Working. Sarji purchased the long-vacant .35 acre lot, which holds two commercial structures and a two-story home, last January.
Hayes and Fortier, who live in Lincoln, signed a lease in September for the remaining space, a basic, garage-style structure at the back of the property that previously lacked both heat and plumbing. Custom renovations have been underway since, with new flooring installed and walls painted, and the transformation is now in the final stages, with the new, “nutrition pub,” on track to open this spring.
“Everything was gutted out when we were first interested in it,” said Hayes. “You have to have a vision to see what you can do with a space like that – and we do have a vision. We’re so excited to be over there.”
Positive Vibes will remain open as the couple opens the new space, marking an expansion for a successful business selling Herbalife Nutrition products. The pair also offers nutrition plans and wellness evaluations for clients.
“It’s not a diet. It’s a healthy lifestyle,” said Hayes. “You can grab and go. You can call ahead. But it also works with weight loss plans and nutrition plans for athletes.”
“A majority of my clients are weight loss, but it’s also nutrition,” Hayes added. “It’s always free to come and sit down and chat.”
Hayes notes that her own weight loss journey began eight years ago after a friend introduced her to the products.
“I was leery,” she said. But soon after, “I fell in love. I started dropping weight and feeling great.”
Hayes lost 65 pounds and became a distributor of the brand, selling the products to friends online, and at home parties.
She notes that she was forced to leave her regular job while caring for a sick family member several years ago. At the time, Fortier owned a construction company but, “was getting tired of it,” she said.
Fast forward four years and, “We love what we do,” said Hayes. “We wake up with a purpose – just to help people.”
The business owners were looking for a new space when Sarji stopped in on Social Street for a shake last year – and the rest is history.
“We’re ready for the next step,” Hayes said.
The couple plans to split their time between the two locations, with slightly longer hours in North Smithfield of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at least to start. They’ve starting selecting additional health coaches to help cover any potential gaps.
Hayes notes that they’re hoping to open the new location by March, but still need to finish plumbing and inspections.
The Woonsocket nutrition bar hosts various events with yoga, vendors and customer appreciation nights, a format she notes they also plan to bring to North Smithfield.
“We’re really big to supporting the community and helping other small businesses,” Hayes said. “It’s just our purpose to spread good health, love and peace to everybody.”
