Natasha Partridge has decades of hospitality and restaurant experience, but when COVID-19 closed the restaurant she had been running for someone else, she took it as a sign that it was time to open her own.

“I’ve always been interested in the intersection between food and health. The lack of a smoothie shop in Manistee, plus the nearly double-digit growth of the market, made me want to open BeeSmooth Cafe,” said Natasha. 

Her biggest challenge: finding just the right location in the tourist-based town. While the quaint downtown was her first choice, it was difficult to find the just right, not too big, not too small spot. She instead chose a location on the main highway that leads tourists and locals alike to the heart of the city.

Natasha reached out to various organizations for support, including Northern Initiatives, the Manistee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development and the Michigan SBDC, where she met Business Consultant Joni Krolczyk. “Joni’s supportive, informative and resourceful,” said Natasha. “She helped me with my business plan and provided market research on the demographics of smoothie drinkers. Her extensive contacts with Realtors and bankers all led to the next steps.”

With the mantra “Health Food the Delicious Way,” the now-bustling cafe serves breakfast and lunch with traditional, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and allergen-free fare. The cafe also offers meal-prep packages and catering.

Natasha’s advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs: “Get in touch with your local chamber of commerce. They can connect you with all the right people, and I absolutely plan to work with the Michigan SBDC and Joni in the future.”