On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Caris Mitchell ‘27 held a soft launch for Studio Smoothie, her student-owned and operated smoothie business.
Mitchell shares that her idea for an on-campus smoothie option developed during her time working at another smoothie shop throughout high school and her freshman year at Wofford. During that time, she ran into so many Wofford students, which showed her that there was a clear demand for smoothies and fresh fruit options among the student body.
When Mitchell joined Wofford’s Launch Program, she decided to tap into the smoothie market, creating the beginning concepts for what is now Studio Smoothie. When Mitchell took her idea to the Terrier Startup Challenge this past spring, she walked away with the prize for audience choice, an accomplishment that spurred her business further.
“(Winning the audience choice award) really just inspired me to keep going and to not give up on the idea,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell, an accounting major and studio art minor, conveys that she is able to do all of the accounting for Studio Smoothie, as well as incorporate much of the business knowledge she has gained from her classes.
“I feel like this business is a perfect combination of (my major and minor) because I’m able to be creative with my menu and my flavors. The business is called Studio Smoothie because the kitchen is like my studio. I’m cooking up recipes and really being creative in the kitchen,” Mitchell said.
This summer, she continued developing Studio Smoothie with the help of Keith Tyger, the resident director of culinary services. In the spring, she made a proposal to Campus Union for funding for equipment like blenders and a card terminal. Mitchell also reached out to a Wofford Trustee, who gifted her $1000 for startup costs.
Mitchell announced the soft launch event on social media, advertising five Wofford-themed flavors: Main Street Mango, Greene Machine, Dragon Dawg Delight and Samhat Classic. One flavor name stuck with students the most, a blend Mitchell named “Burwell Blast,” which she said began as a joke among her friends.
Although Studio Smoothie does not accept Terrier Bucks, students were lined up as early as 7:45am for the 8am soft launch. Studio Smoothie sold around 70 smoothies on its opening day.
“This was kind of a test for how my operations needed to run, to see if I needed to hire more help,” Mitchell said. “As things progress I do want to hire student workers.”
The weekend after the soft launch, she continued to workshop flavors and recipe combinations, proving that although open, Studio Smoothie would continue to develop.
“My menu is rotating. I want to add things if I see that this is something that people really like, and maybe seasonal flavors. I am very open to feedback and I just want to serve the student body,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell added that running a business as a full-time student is no easy feat, but with encouragement from those in the Wofford community and the Launch program, she was inspired to keep working to create Studio Smoothie.
She shares the importance of staying organized when it comes to practical matters.
“You really have to pitch yourself and be confident in your abilities,” Mitchell said.
After an undoubtedly successful soft launch, Mitchell is excited for what the future holds for her business. Studio Smoothie’s current hours are 7:30 to 10:30am in the Galleria on Mondays and Wednesdays.
