We were lucky to catch up with Camila Franco recently and have shared our conversation below.

Camila, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

This idea was born 6 years ago, with zero experience nor guidance on how to execute, it was in the back of my mind for 5 years. I thought it was just an idea but never envisioned it bringing it to life. I graduated college and got a corporate job in finance. I was there for 3 years until I was unexpectedly terminated. During these years, I would always daydream and even built a pinterest board. But i never verbally shared this with anyone. I got a canva account and designed a quick and low quality logo after researching for days on what I would call my “someday” acai shop. My termination was my little push, I started focusing and doing a bit more research. I ended up enrolling in a 10-week business plan course, before the end of this course I signed a lease to our first store front. I had very minimal savings and funding, but I knew I would find a way.
After signing the lease, it was game on. Our plan was to do very minimal remodeling, but the city and codes required much more. Our expected opening was January 2024 and it ended up being September 2024. From signing the lease to opening, it was a total of 11 months. It was the most challenging months I have lived through, but I wouldn’t have the knowledge that I do now and I would 10000% do it again. I had to learn codes, read plans, make uncomfortable phone calls, negotiate with the city and my landlord and even stand my ground with contractors. I had to figure out and learn the unknown, but without doing this I wouldn’t have my business now.

Camila, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am in the Healthy Food Industry, I have always been passionate with using food as medicine and fueling our body with the best ingredients. My business is known for our smoothie bowls full of fresh and high quality ingredients. Including our housemade granola. We also offer a full colombian espresso bar bringing our coffee from farm to your cup (getting it locally roasted). Our vision is to educate our community on whole foods, eating healthier and making everyone feel welcomed when they walk in through our doors.
Our customer service definitely sets us apart from others, we treat everyone with love and kindness regardless of your background, gender, ethnicity, religion.. etc. We are human beings, before we are business owners.
I am most proud of our full menu, we make every single order with so much love and care that you can taste the difference.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

If you were to ask my close family and friends how they would describe me in one word, it would be resilience.

From getting fired to signing a lease and taking a risk upon my dream. I faced SO many no’s before getting to where I wanted to be. I was told no to many other locations, property owners telling me I wouldn’t be able to afford the rent selling acai and many others wouldn’t even call me back.

The first loan I applied to was in underwriting for 2 months, I already had the keys to our storefront and I was denied. I had to pivot and find a plan B within 24 hours. I’m a big believer that if there’s a will, there’s always a way. I had a solution within 10 hours.

Past the funding point, our biggest set back and challenge was bringing the property up to code. Without any prior experience, I had no idea what I was about to deal with. I was required numerous building plans, for plumbing, electrical, walls, alterations and so many more. I pushed through, asked, learned and got all of these done and approved. Our toughest battle was dealing with our front sidewalk that needed major alterations. Costing about 35k and having a timeline of about 8 months. I never thought about throwing in the towel, but opening day seemed so far away!

We got past all the struggles, requirements and legal side of things and when we were finally able to start soft opening, my heart was full of gratitude for the journey. I can’t imagine telling a different story, it definitely always works out better than ever imagined

Any advice for managing a team?

I think that the most challenging area of being a business owner is managing people. I live by “hire slow, fire fast”
I was very afraid of hiring one of my close friends to help me manage the shop, but I took the risk and gave her the chance and it was the best business decision I have made thus far. I trusted her before hiring and we complement each other almost perfectly. I think they key to managing is learning how the person learns, works and thinks, learning their personality and love language is also crucial. I have been very blessed to have the team that I do, their work ethic is a reflection of myself and everyone brings something very unique to our team.
In order to maintain high morale, motivation and everyone on the same page is by having the uncomfortable conversations. You have to know when things have to be said and we also do quarterly evaluations with each team member along with our quarterly team meetings. This is a great time to check in with each individual, give them feedback and also receive feedback from their point of view. It’s always a two way street and you want to make sure that your employees are also being heard.

When it comes to firing, it is extremely necessary once someone on the team is negatively impacting the environment, culture and work ethics. It may feel comfortable the first few times but it always gets easier and you’ll be able to get better at hiriing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ukibowlzgvl.square.site/
• Instagram: @ukibowlzllc
• Facebook: Uki Bowlz LLC