As a kid, my mom said I was good-hearted, kind natured and my feelings were easily hurt, which made me a least likely candidate for spankings…all I needed was a stern talking to.  She said I was a silly baby, who liked to take funny pictures.  She also said I liked to help around the house (A LOT).  Maybe, one day, I can tell you the grits story over coffee.

That is still me…good-hearted, compassionate, humorous and don’t mind helping out.

Hi!  I’m Kisha Fox and I’d like to share a bit about the journey that has led me to start a GoFundMe “GrowHer” campaign.

I grew up in Greensboro, NC, mostly on the southside of town. Zip 27406.  We moved around a lot and I attended a number of elementary schools… all within 27406.  I lived on the southside of town, but was an honor roll student and never a moment’s trouble to any of my teachers.

Was I perfect? Tskk. No.  Did I make bad decisions sometimes?  Absolutely. Did I have to fight?  Yep.  I wasn’t a fighter, but I had to fight a time or two…or three…or four.  Come on!  It was the southside—where every little girl got her hair bows or berets knocked off of her head at least once [smile].

Truth is, I had plenty of opportunity to get into mischief growing up.  Thankfully, I didn’t take full advantage—there’s no telling how differently my life would’ve turned out.

There will always be people trying to pull you into their world, into their way of thinking, being, and doing. I never had a desire to conform completely.  My inner compass wouldn’t allow it—it always pointed me to err on the side of right a large percent of the time.  Notice, I didn’t say 100% of the time.  [Sheepish grin]. Aside from that, Jackie (that’s my mom) didn’t play.  She was hardworking and she had expectations of all of us—my sister, brother and I.  Your homework had better been done and the house had better been clean when she got home from work. I don’t care where we lived, we kept one of the neater, cleaner homes on the block and there was love there.

Keeping a clean house, establishing a good work ethic and doing what’s hard, not easy…I learned from her.  Thanks, mama!

I feared my mom enough to stay on track.  More importantly, what I thought of myself and what I wanted out of this life is why I made decisions that defied my broader surroundings.  I wanted more, and though I didn’t quite have an idea of what “more” looked like, I knew that whatever it was, it was outside of 27406.

My first job…

I started my first job at 16-years old in food service.  I worked for Long John Silver’s (LJS) in Four Seasons Towne Centre. There I learned the value of a positive attitude, excellent customer service and a big smile.  I sometimes earned tips and we weren’t even a tipping establishment. I stood behind a counter at a register taking orders and passing people their food on a tray…no different than a BK or a Wendy’s setup. A few of my repeat customers felt inclined to tip me a few dollars. I’d later realize it wasn’t just because of WHAT I did, but HOW I did it.

Because of my experiences at LJS, I’d forever remember that life is much about a smile, kindness, please and thank you. I worked hard, I wasn’t a slacker and I was thorough.  I worked at LJS through high school and some of college. As a valued employee, when I went to college 45 miles away, LJS kept a spot for me.

I don’t care where you start, or what kind of job you have. Be a keeper on the job.  Work hard.  Have character.  Have integrity. By the time the owner decided to close the doors of the establishment, I had worked my way up to Shift Manager.

College…

I started college straight out of high school.  I began on a pre-med track—I thought I wanted to be a doctor.  As it turned out, I really had no CLUE what I wanted to be in this life. I started at UNC Chapel Hill as a 1st generation college student. In 1997, my sophomore year, I had a vision as a slept in my Hinton James dorm room.  That vision led me to fully accept God’s role in my life.  I’ll never forget accompanying a suite mate to a small church in Pittsboro and committing my life to the Lord the very next Sunday after the vision.  (Thanks, Roberta!)  It wasn’t long after, that I withdrew from school—mostly because I was needed at home and partly because I was unclear about a career choice. 

The year of 1997 would prove to be both a freeing year and a very tough year.  We had two deaths in the home that year.  My mom’s fiancé passed from cancer in March and my 16-year old sister in December from gun violence.  Yeah, I’d say a break was in order.  I couldn’t see what was coming, but my Creator did and He knew I’d need His help terribly in 1997.  I’m glad He sought me out beforehand.  The Creator and I…we’ve been close ever since.  It was good that I could be there with my mom and brother that year.

Don’t stay out of school too long…

“If you stay out of school too long you won’t go back.”  That’s what everyone kept telling me.  So, as soon as things in my personal life settled a bit, I re-enrolled in school, this time closer to home, in the 27406 zip at UNC – Greensboro. I couldn’t have gotten any closer to home than that.  My house was only a hop, skip and jump away from campus. I was going to school full-time and was a full-time employee. I still had no revelations about what I wanted to be, so I stuck to the pre-med track, that is, until I got in lab one day and couldn’t bring myself to dissect a dead, fetal pig.  I was the only one in class who had to complete the dissection using a computer-assimilated module. Hold up…time out!  That’s it!  No more wasting student loans for me.  I withdrew again – this time determined to self- explore and sort through what I wanted to be.  I’d take as much time as I needed.

Volunteering revealed my passion…

Church involvement revealed my passion and opened the door for a 16-year career.  I got involved with my church on a voluntary basis and discovered that I liked graphics and designing. I developed those talents while working for the church, as a hobby, and in my full-time role as an Administrative Support for a global agriculture chemical company.

It was interesting how I came into the role at the agricultural company.  A member of our church approached me and said he was impressed with my work and insisted that my talents could be useful at his organization.  I applied, interviewed and was hired.  

Did you catch that he sought me out because I was creative?  (Thanks, Mr. Goldmie!) 

Finally, I’d found something I loved, was passionate about, and other people noticed.  So, with a different career idea in mind and a company that would fund 100% of my schooling, I enrolled in a private institution close to work and close to my home…zip 27410.  Yes, I had broken the barrier with the money I was making at that company. 

I graduated Guilford College in 2006 and I often tell people that I got double for my trouble.  I double majored and obtained a BS in Business Management and a BS in Computing Information and Technology with a focus in Online Design.  I was awarded the most outstanding senior in Business Management.  It turns out, I have a natural knack for business and strategy development. Thanks, Rick Hackworth and Mini Ranganathan for seeing something unique enough to recognize me with such an award. One of my professors told me, “With the tools you have, I could work for you someday.”  Seed planted, Nikki Christiansen!

There have been seeds planted all along the way…

In Kindergarten at Calvin Wiley, it was Mrs. Heath.  And, at Ben L. Smith High School it was Mrs. Borders.  I often wonder what these beautiful souls are up to.   Thanks to those ladies for planting a seed.

What my careers and life have taught me…

Hard work pays off.  Smart work pays exponentially. Customers matter.  Relationships matter.  Marketing is powerful when used effectively. Pretention is for the birds, be real.  Be yourself and don’t compromise who you are to climb a corporate ladder.  Take risks and don’t be afraid to do what you think is too big for you.

I am now on the downside of my working years….

With 25 years of work experience, I know how to be a good employee.  I now want to be the employer. I want to influence the people who work for me.   I’d like to share with them some of my life’s lessons through mentorship.  I want to give back to the community…starting in my current zip code 95678.  Yes, I exploded the barriers.  In 2014, I got the courage to take a Marketing Role in California with that agricultural chemical company that I’ve worked for since 2001.  It’s been a great run, but has involved an extensive amount of domestic travel and time away from my husband (Jassmen) and our two little kids, Jace (5) and Elani (1). 

What’s next?

Working in a corporate environment over the past 16 years has been gratifying, but not fulfilling. I’m now positioning myself for the next chapter of life. I am a business-minded individual, pre-wired with entrepreneurial capabilities and a personable nature.   The thought of working hard for someone else and not myself has become more and more disquieting within me.   I want to use the Business Management degree for my own business. 

I’m going back to my beginnings—food service, but this time, as Owner.  My goal is franchise ownership in the up and coming sector of fast casual dining, promoting healthy food and smoothies.  Yum!

The Ask...

I’m up for the challenge and cannot wait to show our kids, not just a new zip code, but a new quadrant.  (Thanks, Robert Kiyosaki & Tai Lopez!)

I’m bundling everything I’ve learned over the years and using it to start and operate a successful franchise.  It will be an amazing feat!  I expect that the opportunities will continue to broaden from there. I’m blazing a trail for people whose lives I touch—some for the first time.

Shouldn’t the end of a thing be better than it’s beginning?

I can’t do this alone. I need your help.  There are upfront fees and startup costs.  It would take years to save up for the expense.  I’d rather spend the next 10-15 years doing and giving back versus dreaming.   Are you willing and able to help me?

I’m turning to crowd funding to accelerate the dream.  California registration for the franchise was recently granted, so no better time than now to get onboard.

My family and I appreciate all financial acts of kindness to help get us there.  If it’s $5 or $5,000 or $50,000…it will help us to reach our $250,000 Campaign goal!  We can’t wait to make a difference in the lives of our employees!   

Our success signals success to all who will come after us and to all who are connected to us.  So thank you for adding to my story—your story---our story!

Franchise ownership, here we come! 

If...50,000 people gave $5, I'd reach my financial goal.
If...25,000 people gave $10, I would reach my goal.
If...5,000 people gave $50, I'd reach my financial goal.
If...2,500 people gave $100, I'd reach my financial goal.
If...50 people gave $5,000, I'd reach my financial goal.

Here is how funds will be used: 

Franchise Fee: $25,000

Architect: $7,500 - $12,000
licensed professional to review and certify construction plans and/or oversee construction

Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment: $76,250 – $136,250
Tables and chairs, wall cabinets, merchandise display units, millwork, shelving, sinks, microwave, worktables, ovens, steamers, smallwares, ice machine, blenders, refrigerators, mixing bar, ice wells, freezers, menu boards, artwork, and point-of-sale/cash register system.

Lease Improvements: $65,000 – $196,000
There are many factors which influence the total project costs, such as location, amount of leased space (1,200 to 2,000 square feet), amount of remodeling needed, etc.  This is best estimate of finish-out costs only. Finish-out costs are based on leasing unfinished space that consists of walls, plumbing, concrete slab, lighting, HVAC, and electricity.

Signage: $7,500 - $16,500

Uniforms: $1,000 - $1800

Initial Inventory: $ 5,000 - $12,000

Initial Training Expenses: $2,500 - $9,000
Covers all transportation, meals, and other expenses associated with the initial training program for myself and/or your managers, designees, and employees.

Insurance Deposits: $300 - $6,500

Initial Deposits: $1,700 - $11,000

Licenses, Bonding and Permits: $800 - $7,500
Include building inspection fees, occupational license fees, food service licenses and the like.

Legal & Accounting: $500 - $7,500

Grand Opening Contribution: $ 7,500
Minimum spend of $7500 for a grand opening marketing program during the Grand Opening Time Period which begins approximately 60 days before opening the Franchised Business through 30-60 days afterwards.

Additional Funds (Working Capital 3-6 months): $10,000 - $30,000
Cover possible initial operating losses, additional insurance, rent and security deposits, miscellaneous additional pre-opening costs, payroll, utilities, additional legal and accounting fees, payments to any governmental agency that are necessary to open the Franchised Business.  Additionally, would prepare to have cash to cover first 3-6 months of personal living expenses.

Total: $198,050 – $478,550
I have confirmed that the opening in the state of California will be at the higher end of the range.