Losing weight and gaining a new business

by Jill Abrahamsen

The cover of a magazine at the supermarket checkoutprompted Susan Caldwell to turn her life around, and in doingso, she began an entrepreneurial journey. More than 100 pounds overweight and unhappy, Caldwell saw People magazine’s weight-loss cover and became inspired to take control of her life. Through exercise and diet, she lost the weight and gained a new lease on life. In the process, she laid the groundwork for her franchise, Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios. “I wanted to prevent kids from going through what I did,” she says.

Caldwell never intended to create a franchise business. Initially, she was approached by a local gym to work with children and help them make smart food choices. “Seeing my transformation inspired others,” she says. Her influence on kids became so popular with parents that she decided to teach cooking classes out of her home. An immediate success, her classes were booked solid in no time. But, as demand grew, running the business out of her home wasn’t sustainable.

Taking a leap of faith, Caldwell opened her first studio in 2009. “I had no idea what I was doing,” she laughs. With few resources, Caldwell had to wear many hats to launch the business. “I did what it took, from washing dishes to marketing and everything in between,” she laughs. As the company grew, she added more locations and staff. She began franchising in 2015 in order to scale the business. With locations throughout North Carolina, Michigan and Colorado, Flour Power has added camps, adult cooking lessons, and free classes to children with special needs in addition to the healthy kids’ classes. In the works is an add-on mobile unit and a cooking show.

Caldwell is super passionate about her brand and wants to partner with investors who share her love for children and for healthy eating. Big into support, Caldwell makes sure franchisees get ongoing training, which includes weekly webinars. “Years ago, I would have never imagined I could do all this. It truly is a dream come true,” she says.

Learn more at www.flourpowerstudios.com.