Michael Powers, executive vice president of business development for Smoothie King, has so much unbridled energy and enthusiasm, a curmudgeon might be tempted to take away his vitamins and minerals. Unlike Barbara Walters, we would never ask one of our Personalities what kind of tree they are, but we did try to get Powers to narrow down his health advice to one tip. As you can see, we failed miserably. But we are following his advice—sans the colon cleaning.
Workstyle
First job: From 12 years old through college, I did commercial roofing (the family business)…weekends, holidays, birthdays and any free time other than school and hockey. There were no Harvard grads on the crew, as you can imagine, but the lessons learned, albeit from the school of hard knocks, were an invaluable part of my education. After that upbringing and plenty of hard times, you find it easy to believe there are no boundaries to what one can achieve if they really want to (or have to). It may sound corny, but it’s very true.
Greatest accomplishment: (professionally) Franchised 642 stores, with my two, long-time friends and colleagues, Steve Shields and Natalie Scheppegrell, during my nine years with Smoothie King. Another accomplishment would be our first international franchise venture (South Korea in 2003), which has been a success and now has 44 stores and growing.
Best advice you’ve been given: Health and time are more valuable than money
Advice you give: Everything is possible. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
What motivates you? New challenges
Office décor: Executive Man Cave
How do you de-stress? Exercise, quality time with the kids, and it may seem strange, but—cooking.
Lifestyle
Hometown: Boston Area (Canton/Quincy, Massachusetts)
Favorite reality show: I don’t get home early enough to watch them, but the family favorite, "American Idol," is unavoidable thanks to the invention of the DVR.
Most prized possession? Without question, my family is most important in my life: Rita (16), Blake (10), Brooke (4), and wife Donna of 17 years.
Where do you donate your time? I enjoy lecturing at the local universities (Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University) about real-life experiences in franchising and also coaching hockey—when I find the time.
Last book you read? "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu (a book on military warfare that’s been adopted by the business community as good biz advice)
What’s on your iPod? Everything (except garbage music with raunchy lyrics). Powerful and meaningful stuff to motivate, and classics and Italian are a must when I cook. My kids know the lyrics to Dean Martin songs and I think that’s pretty cool.
Who—living or dead—would you most like to have dinner with? Honestly, my mother, Rita, who passed away when I was 11.
Favorite health treatment: Lately, cleansing and detox but I will spare you the details.
Favorite smoothie flavor: Smoothie King Power Punch Plus (Strawberries, bananas, soy protein, non-fat milk, carbohydrate mix, nutrient mix, vanilla, wheat germ, nutritional yeast, turbinado, honey)
Health tips you most often give others: Natural over artificial always; keep the pipes clean (colon cleansing and fiber intake); Vitamin C is underrated; give up the microwave; never drink or eat hot liquids and foods out of plastic or Styrofoam; diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes are the "best pill"; prevention is the cure; not all carbs and fats are bad; question/challenge modern medicine and pharmaceuticals and explore alternatives…too much more to list here, but vital subjects that I have learned most people don’t know enough about. It may sound obsessive, but quality of life, healthy aging and proper nutrition are subjects that should be right up there near the top of everyone’s list.
