Women’s Business Center Client Feature: Kelli Ewert of Tropical Smoothie Café

We are passionate about sharing the stories of small business owners who are chasing their dreams, and love highlighting the Women’s Business Centers that are helping them make it happen. This is why we are so excited to highlight the partnership between Kelli Ewert of Tropical Smoothie Café in Spearfish and the SD CEO West WBC, hosted by Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD.

Read on to learn more about this veteran and woman-owned business’s inspiring story, and how her Women’s Business Center (WBC) connected her to the funding, community, and resources she needed to thrive.

From Nurse to Business Owner

Kelli Ewert’s journey to business ownership began with a desire for change. After more than 25 years as a registered nurse, Kelli was feeling the toll of burnout in the healthcare field. She knew it was time to explore new opportunities—ones that would allow her to be her own boss and spend more time with her children. In early 2019, Kelli began considering starting her own business, and she found the perfect fit in Tropical Smoothie Café.

Opening her franchise in December of 2019, Kelli saw an opportunity to bring a healthy fast food alternative to the Northern Hills of South Dakota, an area where similar options were lacking at the time. 

Tropical Smoothie Café’s menu, offering fresh and nutritious choices, was a natural match for her values and vision. With her passion for health and wellness, as well as the desire to create a family-friendly environment, Kelli took the leap into entrepreneurship, determined to make a positive impact on her community.

Connecting with SD CEO WBC Center for Support

Kelli’s relationship with SD CEO (Center for Enterprise Opportunity) West WBC began in 2019 when she first considered starting her business. She relied on their expertise to write her business plan and sought guidance on running her business efficiently. With no prior experience in the franchise or restaurant industry, Kelli felt like a “fish out of water” (something so many small business owners can relate to) but found the support she needed in her WBC.

Through free, confidential one-to-one business advising services offered by SD CEO West, Kelli met with Director, Elizabeth Freer, to discuss options available to refinance her loan, allowing her to improve cashflow to her business, reviewed her business plan, and her financial projections. With support from the South Dakota SBA District Office, Kelli and Elizabeth learned about the complexities of refinancing an SBA loan and explored all available options. They then helped prepare Kelli for meetings with potential lenders to find the best match for her business.

“The most significant benefit for my business was starting with my business plan. I felt supported and had an ally in my corner every step of the way,” Kelli said.

Over the years, the Women’s Business Center continued to provide valuable resources, including networking opportunities. By attending WIN Luncheons and engaging with other local entrepreneurs, Kelli expanded her business knowledge and support network.

“The Women’s Business Center has allowed me to grow my vision of business ownership and celebrate my success in owning a business.”

When challenges arose in 2024 with refinancing her SBA loan, Kelli turned to the Women’s Business Center once again for support.

Connecting with Stearns Bank for Financial Support

After struggling to secure refinancing from several banks, Kelli was introduced to Stearns Bank through the Women’s Business Center. This partnership proved to be the turning point in her journey.

“I felt like I was finally being heard and supported,” Kelli shared about her experience with Stearns Bank. The process was fast and efficient—within 24 hours of reaching out to a Stearns Bank lending professional, Kelli had a solid contract and an offer to proceed with the SBA refinance.

What followed was a 28-day process to secure the loan, a stark contrast to her initial experience, which had taken months and left her feeling frustrated. Thanks to the smooth and speedy refinancing process with Stearns Bank, Kelli was able to stabilize her business finances and ensure continued growth.

The support she received from both her Women’s Business Center and Stearns Bank was instrumental in her business’s success. Without these partnerships, Kelli’s business journey may have taken a very different turn.

For those interested in funding opportunities, check out our Funding Center to discover how small business lenders like Stearns Bank can help you grow.

Proud Moments and Community Impact

Kelli Ewert has had many proud moments in her journey as a business owner. One of her biggest achievements was surviving the COVID-19 pandemic just four months after opening Tropical Smoothie Café, all while working over 30 hours a week as a nurse. Over the past five years, she’s not only survived but has continued to grow her business and the Tropical Smoothie brand as a whole.

Kelli has even launched a reading program for local students and serves as a mentor and sponsor for various community events. In recognition of her efforts, she received the 2024 Spirit of Enterprise Award from the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation.

Additionally, Kelli’s café has become the franchise training location for new rural Tropical Smoothie franchise owners, playing a key role in their success. She also shares her expertise at SDCEO Women in Networking events, focusing on hiring, training, and retaining teen employees.

“If not for the Women’s Business Center, I am not sure my business would have been possible. I’m also not sure it would have survived the start-up process, especially as I navigated the Covid pandemic and worked to achieve financial stability both personally and professionally over the last five years.”

Where to Shop and What to Try

Kelli’s Tropical Smoothie Café offers a wide variety of delicious smoothies and food options, but one of the standout offerings that’s made a significant impact on her business are the acai, yogurt, and fruit-based bowls. These have become a customer favorite, with six unique types to choose from:

• Acai Bowl
• Bahama Mama Bowl
• Dragon Fruit Bowl
• Mixed Yogurt Berry Bowl
• Peanut Butter Crunch Bowl

All of these bowls, along with smoothies and other menu items, can be ordered in-store, through the app, or on the website for convenience. Kelli also offers catering services for all products, perfect for events or group gatherings.

For more information or to place an order, visit Tropical Smoothie Café Spearfish or connect via their Facebook page.

A Thank You from Kelli

As Kelli reflects on her journey, she takes a moment to express her gratitude to those who have supported her along the way:

“I would love to thank Elizabeth Freer and her team at SD CEO West Women’s Business Center located at Black Hills State University, the other amazing business owners in our community, Stearns Bank out of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and our incredible community for all of the love and support we’ve received over the last five years.”

Now It’s Your Turn

Kelli’s journey is a powerful example of how a Women’s Business Center can empower entrepreneurs to turn big ideas into thriving businesses. From navigating the challenges of the pandemic to securing funding and connecting with her community, Kelli’s success story showcases the critical role these centers play in supporting women entrepreneurs every step of the way.

If you’re looking to start or grow your small business, we encourage you to explore our WBC Locator to find a center near you. 

You can also reach out to our national small business coaches at Hope2Women to learn your next best steps. 

And for those interested in funding opportunities, check out our Funding Center to discover how small business lenders like Stearns Bank can help you grow.