From Army Nurse to Entrepreneur: Kelly Ewart’s Journey

Kelly Ewart grew up in Texas, served as an Army nurse, and later put down roots in western South Dakota. In 2019 she took a leap from ER shifts to business ownership, investing her savings into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Spearfish so she could build something alongside her kids. She walks us through validating a rural market, leveraging a veteran franchise discount, battling through an SBA loan (and a major injury), insisting on a drive-thru, and opening… four months before COVID hit.

Kelly talks candidly about staffing during a labor crunch, why she hires and mentors teens and adults with special needs, and the community partners and resources that kept her going. Her advice is simple and powerful: ask questions, use your network, and always be honest, work hard, and be kind.

 

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