Meet Carol! Carol is the owner/operator of the Smoothie King on Towne Lake Parkway, and she treats everyone who walks into her store like family. Carol goes above and beyond for her guests every single time and has made it her mission to invest in her employees both inside and out of the workplace. Carol is a mother of four, passionate about PEOPLE, and is truly committed to leading by example. Carol is caring in word and in action and has involved her store in many fundraising opportunities around the community. It was so fun to hear about Carol’s family, business ventures, and perspective on our community!

Thank you so much, Carol, for sharing your time and your story with us; it was such a pleasure to meet you and I can’t wait to come by for a smoothie!

Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: Smoothie King was really an afterthought for me, but I’ve always had a very entrepreneurial mind. I grew up in New York and began my marketing career there, but eventually, we moved down to Atlanta so I could take a position with a firm here that pursued me. The company went through a few buyouts and in 2003 after going public the company filed for bankruptcy. I made the decision that I was going to take everything that I had learned and start my own business. So in 2003, I started C.A.B Marketing, and I operated that for about 10 years.
Throughout the years we had invested in some real estate and purchased our first Smoothie King in Alpharetta. We really loved the Towne Lake area and had our sights set on the Smoothie King location on Towne lake Pkwy. After some negotiations, we bought the Woodstock Smoothie King store, however, it was still just an investment for us. We moved to Florida for a short time for my husband’s job, and when we came back to the area in 2013, C.A.B. Marketing closed its doors, I retired from marketing, and we sold our Alpharetta Smoothie King location. In search of a new career, I threw myself into our Towne Lake Smoothie King. I quickly found out how passionate I was about the area that we serve. I just absolutely loved it. The store allowed me to connect to the community on a much deeper level. I made the commitment that our little store would not only be a place to get a great smoothie in a clean environment but to get awesome service from people that care and appreciate their business. The people who come through the doors, that’s what drives me. We are truly a family-owned business, even though we are part of a franchise. I am all about the family feel, whether that be to my guests or my team. Most of my team members are really young, and I want to invest in them and teach them things that go beyond the basic elements of the job and to see the big picture!

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Woodstock, and what do you love there?
A: You’re gonna laugh because I’m very laid back, but GameDay is my absolute favorite.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Woodstock?
A: In 1994 we moved to Towne Lake!

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Woodstock? Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Woodstock?
A: Keith Norman– he is the pastor of The Factory Church and has been a guest at my store for years. He is an incredible spirit and a light.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I am a creature of water and sand, so Fiji is my next destination to get to.

Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: The first movie I remember seeing was ‘Gone with The Wind,’ but ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is my absolute favorite movie!

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: Don’t be afraid to be yourself- be the authentic you. God has created us all special and unique, and embracing that uniqueness is a freeing experience.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I am entrepreneurial by nature, so we have started the business plans for a Sweets and Treats Party Truck for events! The concept is to be the exclamation point to your next event, with totally customizable snack and drink selections. So that is my next big adventure!

Q: What is your favorite music/3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I am into your typical rock and roll- everything from the Beatles to the Eagles to Pat Benatar. I am all about classic 80s rock!

Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Woodstock?
A: Bogey’s- It had just opened when I moved here. It’s very similar to Game Day- it was so neighborhood-oriented and laid back, always with families going there after their child’s sports game—it was just so family-friendly and relaxed!

Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Woodstock would you have lunch?
A: I’d love to have lunch with Justin Timberlake- he’s super funny and super talented, and of course I’d take him to Smoothie King!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Woodstock?
A: I think personally it’s that it’s my home and it’s where I raised my kids. It’s a small town-feel with arts, culture, restaurants, everything you could want! Even though I grew up in New York, Woodstock is just HOME.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: Grandkids!! I see my kids settling down and having some babies! I think the next chapter for me will be watching my children become parents.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I love doing laundry. It’s one of those weird things for me- my closet is color-coordinated, etc.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Love, peace, and happiness.

Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: Sandra Bullock!

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: A chef, hands down.