Desario Turner did not have the classic Take-This-Job-And-Shove-IT Moment – No dramatic dismissal, no sudden business closure. In fact, she had a successful, stable career at Harley-Davidson, where she had a leading role that achieved online e-commerce activities in the US and Canada. She could have stayed comfortably in the business world for an indefinite period of time.
But Turner had other plans. She wanted ownership, autonomy and the chance to build something meaningful in her hometown of Racine, Wisconsin. So in 2023 she opened a smoothie king franchise and hit the ground. “I knew that if I wanted freedom and life to wish, just a salary was not enough for me,” she says.
Related: Consider franchise -ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
Image Credit: Desario Turner | Smoothie King
Cycling for blenders
Turner spent almost 18 years at Harley-Davidson, in various customer-oriented roles that varied from dealer support to the management of North American e-commerce. During that time, she also investigated various side disguises from rental properties to vending machines-as part of a larger vision for long-term financial independence.
Turner wanted to go all-in on a company that matches its values and offered a product in which she believed. When she discovered Smoothie King, the concept clicked. It combined health and well -being, community impact and a scalable franchise model – all the things she felt passionate about bringing to her hometown.
After she had settled on the brand, she started the application process of the franchise at the end of 2021 and still worked full -time and juggled both responsibilities for almost two years. “That is when it really started; it was definitely a busy time,” she recalls. “But I had to let it happen.”
Related: she was a lawyer without a restoration of the restoration. Now she puts new life into an iconic restaurant chain.
Record -breaking opening
Turner’s Smoothie King location in Racine broke out the expectations immediately and broke the record of the franchise for the first week selling when it was opened in 2023. Although he was in a market that was not familiar with the brand, her store generated more than $ 38,000 in the opening week and quickly became a go-to-to-destination for health-related locations.
In addition to building a flourishing company, Turner made it a priority to give back. She regularly works with local schools, gyms and youth programs and donates smoothies for events, supports fundraisers and offers healthy catering options for student athletes.
“She believed in herself, did the work and chose a location that gave her company the best chance to thrive,” says Katherine Meeariman, VP of training and training at Smoothie King. “She understood from the start that there is no better way to introduce Smoothie King to a new community than through an authentic connection.”
By the end of her first year, the Turner location had already crossed $ 1 million at the net turnover – a milestone that placed her store in the top 50 at more than 1,200 locations in the system.
Related: 70 ideas for small companies to start in 2025
Build for the future
Now Turner is noticing the future. Her 19-year-old daughter stepped into the store in an important leadership role, managing daily activities and learning every aspect of the business company. But this is not only a job-it is a long-term investment in its future. Turner deliberately guides her daughter to take full ownership one day, by not only passing on a company, but also a blueprint for independence, responsibility and generation. “In the end this is her business,” she says. “I now show her everything, so she understands what is needed – because it is for her future.”
And the vision does not stop there. Turner has just started with plans to expand and a second location. Her advice to others who consider the leap in business property as she did is simple. “Invest that current and energy in yourself and build something for you and your family in the future,” she says. “Go for it.”
Related: I ran away from a business career to start my own small company – this is why you should do the same
Desario Turner did not have the classic Take-This-Job-And-Shove-IT Moment – No dramatic dismissal, no sudden business closure. In fact, she had a successful, stable career at Harley-Davidson, where she had a leading role that achieved online e-commerce activities in the US and Canada. She could have stayed comfortably in the business world for an indefinite period of time.
But Turner had other plans. She wanted ownership, autonomy and the chance to build something meaningful in her hometown of Racine, Wisconsin. So in 2023 she opened a smoothie king franchise and hit the ground. “I knew that if I wanted freedom and life to wish, just a salary was not enough for me,” she says.
Related: Consider franchise -ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
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