Leading in Central MA: Kimberly Ferguson-Owner of Apple Spice Café
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Monday, April 14, 2014
Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor
Kimberly Ferguson is the Owner/Operator of Apple Spice Café and Juice Bar. The married mother of 5 children, Ferguson decided to fulfill some personal dreams and goals. Apple Spice is her first restaurant with plans for more. A second generation entrepreneur, Ferguson is creating success offering healthy food options that taste delicious.
A Conversation with Kimberly Ferguson
SW: How would you describe Apple Spice Café and Juice Bar?
KF: It is a restaurant that serves healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We make our bread from scratch with no additives or preservatives. All soups are made from scratch and sandwiches and salads are made to order with all condiments on the side so that the customer can control the calories.
With all the flour in the air we cannot claim to be 100% gluten free however we do offer sandwiches on gluten free bread and many of the soups are gluten free as well.
Our juices are made from 100% crushed fruit. We make smoothes with and without protein plus extract juice from fruits and vegetables. Our protein is 98.9% bio-available and very gentle on the stomach. With 4 digestive enzymes even people that are lactose intolerant can drink it.
SW: What led you to be a restaurant owner?
KF: As a mother of 5 I always worked part time and supported my husband’s career demands while caring for the kids. As they became more independent it was my time to fulfill some dreams and goals of my own. I wanted to be in business for myself but did not have the background to jump in any particular direction. I decided to peruse a franchise that would supply the know-how.
SW: Jack Welch made the statement that good business leaders create, articulate, own and relentlessly drive a vision to completion. What is your vision?
KF: My vision is to make this location successful and able to operate independent of me so that I can open another location.
SW: What is on the drawing board for Apple Spice in 2014?
KF: This year we need to generate more walk-in business while growing the catering side of the business. We need to educate more people in our concept and bring more homemade fresh items to both the deli and catering.
SW: Are you involved in the community? If so, how?
KF: We currently prepare lunches for many local school teachers and always donate to their fundraisers. We currently donated coffee and desserts to a fundraiser at the Venerini Academy School in Worcester.
Our main donation each year is to the Ride for Kids. It is a motorcycle ride that raises money for kids with brain tumors. We donate box lunches to all the staff and riders, about 500 each year.
SW: Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life?
KF: My father passed away a couple years ago but as a self-employed successful business owner a lot of his attributes rubbed off on me. He was a creative, upbeat optimist that worked hard and enjoyed life.
SW: Do you have a favorite quote?
KF: “Where there is a will there is a way.”
SW: What is the something that few people know about you?
KF: If I can figure out how to take a few weekends off I would like to take sailing lessons!
SW: How do you define success?
KF: Success is when you are happy with your own accomplishments however great or small. My greatest success is raising 5 children.
SW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
KF: Retired! Haha!
GoLocalWorcester presents Leading in Central MA, a weekly profile of an outstanding community or business leader. Join us every Monday for an inspiring look at the careers and lifestyles of Central Massachusetts’s most influential citizens.
Susan D. Wagner is president of Susan Wagner PR, a boutique public relations firm invested in meeting client's goals with integrity and creativity.
If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected].
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