Kris Risch, owner of multiple Smoothie King franchises in our area, met with Nease’s Hospitality Academy students before winter break to share his story. A self-described hard worker and goal-setter, Mr. Risch shared how he was introduced to Smoothie King in Gainesville, and started his business ownership journey simply by getting a part time job and working his hardest, doing any and every task that needed completion. By the time he was 21, after rising to management level at a store owned by other franchisees, Mr. Risch was able to open his own store. He set goals to open multiple shops in a very short time span, and told the students that he worked open-to-close at his first location for weeks, every day, as he got the business going. He discussed the impacts that 9/11, the economic crash in 2008, and COVID had on his business, and how building resilience is so important to finding success. We truly appreciate Mr. Risch coming in to share his story, and the students were thrilled that he also came with smoothies for everyone!
