I have always been fascinated to learn how business people got their start and the roads they traveled to get where they are. Most are lessons in perseverance, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Very few, I’ve found, just stumbled out of the gate and succeeded on pure luck. A positive mental attitude is a common trait.

One morning a few weeks ago, I met with an interesting fellow in Pensacola. whose name is Sam Cambron. Sam has been an innovator/entrepreneur most of his life, shaping his business outlook. He says he is more of an innovator than a creator. I like how he is always figuring out how to do things better. In Sam’s case, he’s taken the road less traveled.

Today, Sam and his wife, Jackie, own and operate Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee in downtown Pensacola's beautiful historic courtyard. Bear Fruit sells healthy Acai bowls with delicious toppings and specialty coffees from a beachy, van-looking cool food truck. 

The day I visited, people were lined up to place their orders. Small, white tables are spread out in an old brick courtyard among the lush landscape of beautiful flowers. It’s a nice place to gather for a delicious meal.

With this being my first experience, Sam ordered for me. Acai bowls are like a smoothie in a bowl. Acai is a deep purple berry native to tropical Central and South America and is packed with powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins. Considered a “superfood,” they are soaked to soften the tough outer skin and then mashed to form a dark purple paste, making them more edible. The consistency is like that of frozen yogurt.

The flavor of the acai complements your chosen toppings.   I had peanut butter, granola, and fruit, and it was delicious. I also had cold brewed coffee. The Acai bowls come in different sizes and flavor bases including Acai, Dragon Fruit, Coconut, and Blue Spirulina. Toppings options include granola, Toasted Coconut flakes, Pumpkin seeds, Cacao nibs, Chia seeds, Goji berries, Almond slices, Mango cubes, Pineapple cubes, Strawberry slices, Banana slices, or Blueberries.

As we sat down to hear Sam’s story, I enjoyed Bear Fruit’s Acai bowl and because I hadn’t eaten that morning, found it satisfyingly delicious. I asked Sam how he discovered Acai and how he arrived in Pensacola. “I discovered Acai bowls when we lived in Miami Beach. It was delicious, healthy, and I could eat it every day of my life.”

Sam is from a military family. Born on a base in Georgia, the family moved around. His parents attended the University of Alabama and later lived in Mobile, where Sam attended Faith Academy. He spent some time in Indiana at college but tells me that after working in corporate America for so long, he recognized that there is no such thing as job security. “In the blink of an eye, you can lose your job even if you are the very best at what you do.”

He goes on to say, “The difference between being an employer entrepreneur is you can see the direction you are going, even with the risk. I think the biggest thing college can do for you is build a network. It’s about who you know. A degree doesn’t guarantee you a great job.” Five years ago, Sam quickly learned that he needed a side hustle. “Side hustles can do really well, especially if you don’t have to rely on it for income. It’s an add-on.”

Sam met Jackie twelve years ago while living in Miami Beach.  After exploring other areas and looking for a better place to raise their children, they spent some time in Frisco, Texas. They have now been married for ten years and have three children; daughters Summer and Breeze, and son, Reef. One summer, they spent 4 months exploring the Gulf Coast in an RV and spent some time in Pensacola. “We put everything in storage and committed to full-time RV life. It was simple, no iPads or TV, just surfboards and bicycles.” 

When it was time for school to start, the family returned to Frisco but then decided to move to  Peru for 6-12 months, for an even bigger adventure. “It was the most incredible experience we’ve ever had with our kids, exploring culture and nature, it was a real adventure! After 6 months of missing our community and church, we knew we had to return to the U.S.” So they decided to settle and put down roots in Pensacola, living in Gulf Breeze initially. In January 2023, they moved to the East Hill area of Pensacola. “East Hill is very community-friendly. We’ve enjoyed living here so far.”

Along the way, Sam connected with Raf Simpson and his wife Lauren who own and operate Haus of Hue, an interior design and furnishings retail shop with two locations in Pensacola. They also have several other restaurant/bar ventures. Having grown up in Pensacola, Raf, and Lauren had also lived in Miami before returning home during the pandemic. 

“Raf is an entrepreneur to the nines. We instantly knew we wanted to work together.” The Simpsons disappeared for a while after finishing high school but were welcomed back to Pensacola with open arms, upon their return. “We were friends first. We had lots of conversations. The more we talked, it made sense to work together. I became the Director of Operations for Haus of Hue.”

Regarding working in the retail industry, Sam says he’s a fan of the book he wrote, The Secret to Retail. “If you capture a customer’s full attention and provide  a positive experience, you can make  an impact and create a customer for life.” 

Sam met Ryan Ford, who owned a Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee shop on the Pensacola Beach pier. Ryan asked Sam if he wanted to open a second location somewhere, allowing him the freedom to make it his own and operate as the owner. Sam and his wife Jackie decided it would be the perfect way to invest and grow in the community. 

“It’s an innovative brand, and I love the product, so I began looking around downtown Pensacola for something close but not on Palafox, to hang out, relax, and find some shade. There was a courtyard at 200 Office Complex with arched breezeways and an old brick facade allowing breezes to flow through. A guy was selling exotic plants. It was the perfect setting for a Bear Fruit.”

Sam and Jackie decided on a one-of-a-kind, all-white wood-trimmed Citroen Van-type food truck. They built it out to accommodate serving acai and coffee. Jackie, who Sam says is the creative one, began to design the look of the van, courtyard, and the merchandise they would sell. Sam was the District Manager for Quiksilver and Jackie, the Visual Merchandiser. They created the brand, Coastal Boho Studios, which she owned for 6 years. Her creativity was set free with this new project.

Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee opened one year ago in July 2023 at 260 S. Tarragona Street in Pensacola, FL. “It’s been fast, and fun, and this is a wonderful place to hang out. We have a great team running the truck and it feels like family -the kind you like hanging out with.” 

What’s it like being in Pensacola and raising a family? “It was time to put down roots, our kids needed it. It’s different from other places we’ve lived, aside from the pretty beaches, it took a little time to get used to it. Most people here seemed to have grown up here and already had their people so it’s really been hard to find our community. But we feel like we’ve found a community in our customers and our team at Bear Fruit.”

“I will also say: If you’re new to Pensacola, come hang with us at Bear Fruit! We’ve been there and will make you feel welcome in Pensacola!”

Thanks, Sam. You are an inspiration to all innovators and entrepreneurs. Best of luck!