Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sondra King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sondra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Taking a risk is doing something that’s not in your favor. Overcoming fear, obstacles, having faith, trusting your gut instinct, confidence in yourself, and fighting through your own thoughts or insecurities. When I started my smoothie business, I took a risk in my own vision. I decided to share my passion and love of nutrition, health, and wellness with no prior entrepreneurship background. I simply believed in my vision and knew that I had a purpose to be fulfilled.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Sondra King. I’m a small local black-owned woman business, I have about 11 years of leadership, administrative, and educational background within the MCSC system. I’m also a best selling author with 2 solo books that are currently placed in a few of the largest local bookstores in my city. I was also a co-author in an anthology under the direction of well renowned author Dr. Paulette Harper. This particular book gave me recognition, press release, billboard feature, and was also endorsed by motivational speaker Les Brown.

My smoothie business, K& B’s Smooth Nutrition came about for my love of nutrition, health, and wellness. I’ve always loved smoothies, but once I started to experience my own personal health struggles, smoothies became my lifeline. I had a history of migranes, intense acid reflux, and elevated hypertension. My physician decided to place me on medication to treat all of my symptoms. Medication made me groggy, I felt lethargic, and impossible to stay focused on a high demand job. Shortly after taking meds for a few weeks, I participated in a 7 day fast that eliminated certain foods from my diet. I started to notice a difference in how I began to feel within that timeframe. I also implemented drinking smoothies on a daily basis. I followed up with my physician and informed him to allow me time to try a more holisitc approach. In that period, I became a bit overwhelmed with portion control and varations of ingredients that I knew I needed to help improve my diagnosis. One thing I enjoyed were smoothies. I loved the endless possibilites of throwing in various fruits, veggies, protein, and supplements in a blender and making it taste great. I started researching foods and how it impacted your body. I did this close to 10 years. I was so fascinated of the healing powers. Once I maintained my smoothie regimen and made some changes to my diet, along with exercising my doctor was in disbelief. My diagnosis shifted. I realized in that moment that you truly are what you eat!

My educational background definitely helped provide me with the skillset to run my own business. It takes hard work and discipline. You work twice as hard as being on a full time corporate job. You become the CEO, insurance provider, marketer, brand, and everything in between. You have to see things creatively that others don’t.

K&B’S Smooth Nutrition is not your typical every day smoothie. They are freshly made superfood smoothies that include organic local farm grown ingredients and contain no sugars. My mother and sister still have a garden that I get some of my ingredients from as well. I implement ingredients such as seamoss, collagen, mushroom powder, superfood honey, turmeric, flaxseed, chia seeds, spirulina powder, hemp seeds, and much more. I use them because I know they work. I’ve lived it and I can relate. I’m not out here just trying to earn a buck. I want to help heal people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We ALL need hope and we all need authentic people, products, and ingredients. Smoothies gave me my life back and I simply want to help heal others and share what I’ve learned and experienced in my journey. This is what sets K&B’s apart.

My years of research in nutrition helps me to answer client questions and provide them with honest feedback. I’m most proud of my hard work and overcoming fear. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure. Discipline, dedication, drive, and determination. Hard work comes with consistency, commitment of yourself, your time, your brand, and your vision.

I want my followers and fans to know that K&B’s literally came in my moment of grief and sorrow. Grief from the death of my father but courage to execute change. If I could describe my brand in one word, it would simply be “humility.” Some people may not know that “K” represents my middle name (Kaye) and “B” represents Bond (my late fathers middle name), Smooth is short for smoothies, and Nutrition covers it all.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’ve learned that it’s ok to unlearn “learned” behavior. Things that applied several years ago, doesn’t always apply to your current situation in life. It’s not applicable. Life is about change and growth. Time moves on whether you want to accept it or not. The world is steadily evolving with technology and more. Even as a mother, I’ve had to learn that every experience is different with each child. You don’t love any of your children any less, but the same level of discipline, communcation, and rules may not apply to the same one. They each have their own personalities, understanding, and level of growth. You have to listen and be willing to have an open mind for change. You spend time with them and learn what works best for each of them. I’ve learned this even with my business and with nutrition. Some clients may not be willing to change their way of food, or fitness, but I still have to provide them with the benefits of maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Growing up my parents didn’t always have the healthier version of food. They were given what was provided to them at the time and they taught my sister and I the same. As times changed they changed. When you know better, you simply do better. Once you realize what works best for you, it opens your level of understanding. For me, maintaining a healthier lifestyle benefited my body and my life.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes. I would encourage anyone to have some level of business background. It teaches you the skillsets needed in some shape, form, or fashion.      

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kbssmoothnutrition.com
• Instagram: @kbssmoothnutrit
• Linkedin: Sondra King
• Twitter: @kbssmoothnutrit
• Yelp: K&B’s Smooth Nutrition

Image Credits
image credits: Refuge Images image credits: Grace Sammarco