Smoothie King, the Royal Life

               Smoothie King in Warren is a relatively young store, yet it has already reeled in a myriad of loyal employees and customers.  This retail smoothie store sells every edible health-enhancer, from fruit bites to wheatgrass shots to “happy” pills, and, of course, the typical protein-and-granola bars.

                The effects of such sinfully delicious and healthful products are beyond perceptible; it’s palpable, especially among the employees.

                Seventeen-year-old Emily Blazak can attest to this.  Blazak has been working at Smoothie King since its grand opening in March and only has positive things to say of the experience.  “I work with great people,” she said, going on to describe her coworkers as “friends” rather than fellow employees.

                In my brief experience with retail (18 years of shopping and consuming helps, too), I have embedded my belief in a charismatic and agreeable staff, something that always makes the masses buy-in.  The fact that Blazak and her friends work so well together not only benefits the store, but also brings quite pleasure and job satisfaction to the employees themselves.  A workforce that is coherent and seamless makes for a comfortable environment, one in which consumers will feel comfortable buying products—and sometimes, buying more than what they intended.

                The working experience is enjoyable, as Blazak described it, aside from the two-and-a-half hours of cleaning each night, maintaining the stock room, and, in her case, being a shift-leader.  Although, she admits that this job is much more desirable than other jobs.  “I’d rather be cleaning up strawberry juice than wiping grease off plates at the end of the day.”

                The workers are required to wear an easy-going and comfortable uniform: the Smoothie King T-shirt, tucked-in (presumably to keep up a presentable appearance), a belt, and sneakers. 

                In addition, each employee is required to greet every single customer that walks into the store.  However, how Smoothie King is diverse in its treatment of the usual consumer.  Instead of consumers, customers, or objects of sales-pushing, they are referred to as “guests.”  This open-minded and unique perspective on sales completes Smoothie King’s happy-go-lucky, health-nut approach to an otherwise hackneyed business practice.

THE VERDICT

 (from 1-10, 1 being the worst, ten being the best)

• Work Experience:  9 

I chose this only because referring to work as a '10' would be a blatant lie.  Getting paid to do nothing would be a '10'.

• Atmosphere:  10

It really couldn't get much better, unless the Beatles or Enya or some other feel-good music floated down from the ceiling.

• Customer Retainment/Loyalty:  9

I chose this score in order to leave room for standard error.  Every business turns at least someone off from their products or services.  And I can almost (barely, if at all) imagine a cantankerous, misinformed "guest" becoming upset at the younger, less experienced emplyees.  Although, here, the case is void.