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

Telesha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How has Covid changed your business model?

When Covid hit, I had to temporarily close my Smoothie bar due to safety concerns and restrictions. During that time, I received an email from 1800flowers suggesting the idea of selling fruit bouquets as a safer and more appealing option for customers looking for a healthy and beautiful gift. This inspired me to pivot my business model to sell both smoothies and fruit bouquets.

Selling both smoothies and fruit bouquets turned out to be a game-changer for my business. Not only did it help me stay afloat during a difficult time, but it also allowed me to cater to a wider range of customer preferences and needs.

Making the change was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I had to rebrand, redesign my menu, and reach out to a new customer base interested in both products. But seeing the positive response from customers and the growth of my business made it all worth it.

Overall, the experience taught me the importance of being adaptable and open to new ideas. Sometimes unexpected challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities, and it’s up to us to embrace them and make the most of them.

Telesha, 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?

Hello, I’m Telesha Christopher, the founder of a unique business that started as a smoothie bar and has evolved into offering a variety of products and services. My background includes a culinary degree and over 30 years of experience running a daycare where I provided nutritious smoothies to children. This experience inspired me to enter the school system and offer delicious and healthy beverages, but with the pandemic disrupting those plans, I decided to open a brick-and-mortar Smoothie Joint in 2019.

The journey to opening my smoothie bar was filled with challenges, including dealing with contractors, architects, and plumbers who weren’t reliable. Despite facing obstacles and delays, I persevered for almost two and a half years to finally open the business. The location near a train line added to the complications, but I saw it as an opportunity to provide commuters with convenient and nutritious beverages.

While the original plan to cater to commuters didn’t materialize due to ongoing construction, we pivoted during the pandemic to offer fruit bouquets alongside our smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and cleanses. Our cleanse programs have been particularly popular, offering clients a healthy and natural way to detox and rejuvenate their bodies.

What sets us apart is our commitment to providing high-quality, natural products with no added sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Our focus on using fresh fruits and vegetables in our smoothies and juices has resonated with our customers, and our subscription-based cleanse service has helped many achieve their health goals.

I’m most proud of how we’ve been able to adapt and grow our business, offering innovative products that not only taste great but also promote health and wellness. I want potential clients to know that we are dedicated to providing them with the best possible products and services, and we are always looking for new ways to help them live healthier and happier lives.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Throughout my entrepreneurial journey with my Smoothie bar, I have faced numerous obstacles that tested my resilience and determination. From being scammed by unreliable contractors during the initial stages of opening my brick-and-mortar business to dealing with unexpected setbacks like the cancellation of a planned train stop and the sudden onset of the pandemic, I have encountered challenges that could have easily derailed my dreams.

Despite running out of money for marketing and facing the uncertainty of a changing business landscape, I refused to give up. When the pandemic hit in April 2020 and forced me to close my business, I was faced with the daunting task of figuring out how to survive and keep my dream alive. With no clear roadmap ahead and financial struggles looming, I took on multiple jobs to make ends meet, all while continuing to show up at the Smoothie bar every day, determined to find a way forward.

Transforming my business into a CDC-approved restaurant with walk-in and curbside services was just one example of the many creative solutions I implemented to adapt to the new circumstances. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, I persevered, driven by the desire to leave a lasting legacy for my grandchildren and to fulfill my passion for providing healthy and delicious products to my community.

Receiving an email from 1800 Flowers during this tumultuous time felt like a sign from a higher power, providing me with a glimmer of hope and a new direction to explore. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, I could find opportunities for growth and innovation.

Through it all, I have learned the importance of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering determination. My journey is a testament to the power of staying true to your vision, adapting to challenges, and never giving up on your dreams, no matter how difficult the path may seem.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn was to blindly trust individuals based on personal connections or surface-level information. The backstory behind this realization is a cautionary tale of being scammed by individuals who misrepresented their credentials and qualifications, leading to significant financial losses and setbacks in my business endeavors.

I had hired an architect based on a high school connection and his online portfolio, assuming he was a licensed professional. However, it turned out that he was not a licensed architect in my city, despite his claims. This discovery came to light when the permitting process was delayed, causing me to question his legitimacy.

Subsequently, I was introduced to a contractor through the architect who also lacked the necessary licenses and insurance. It became apparent that the entire chain of individuals I had hired was built on falsehoods and deceit. The realization hit me hard when I visited the plumber’s office and learned that the work was subpar due to the use of unqualified personnel.

This experience taught me the importance of thorough vetting and verification when hiring contractors or professionals for any project. I now make it a point to ask for verifiable referrals, check credentials independently, and ensure that all individuals involved in my business have the necessary qualifications and licenses. Trusting blindly based on personal connections or surface appearances can lead to costly mistakes, and it is crucial to prioritize due diligence and verification in all business dealings.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.thesmoothiejoint.com
• Instagram: Thesmoothiejoint
• Facebook: The smoothie joint