Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia McKinney.
Hi Olivia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a native, I grew up in Surfside Beach as a competitive gymnast from 8 years old to 17 years old. Consequently, health and wellness became a passion of mine. In 2016, I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science degree in exercise science. In 2020, I completed my master’s degree in nutrition education from the American University. Learning to amplify my life through nutrition and movement has inspired me to create access to nourishing and honest foods in Murrells Inlet, SC, so that others can do the same. It is contagious once you experience the magic of truly nourishing your body from the inside out! You want to share this knowledge with everyone because it’s simpler than most people believe. It is no secret that the Grand Strand severely lacks healthy food options, so I put my passions and education into practice through Smooth Seas. We opened our little smoothie trailer in March 2023, serving whole fruit smoothies, smoothie bowls, and cold brew coffee. We travel all over Horry and Georgetown counties, visiting farmers’ markets, schools, and businesses. One year later, we are opening a storefront in Garden City Beach this March! And yes, we will continue to operate both the smoothie trailer and storefront (our most asked question).
Would you say it’s been a smooth road? If not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business, and a small business at that, rarely comes with a smooth road attached. We’ve had numerous bumps and growing pains along the way, but we have constantly been met with grace and kindness from our customers. Our main struggles came in the beginning with figuring out the mechanics of a food truck. For example, our blenders constantly tripped the electrical circuit and generator during the first operational month. In the middle of a rush, the entire trailer (computers, cooler, freezers, and water pump wholly turned off). Once we figured out that the smoothie trailer was not wired correctly, it was smooth[er] sailing from there!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Smooth Seas is a health-conscious, plant-centric smoothie truck born in the heart of Murrells Inlet, SC. We celebrate how delicious a healthy life can be daily through the foods we serve. We specialize in superfood smoothies and açaí bowls with only real, whole-food ingredients. Our originality, background, and brand set us apart from most smoothie and açaí bowl shops. Today, you will see smoothie and açaí bowl shops using syrups, sugary sweeteners, and premade açaí filled with additives that take away from the health aspect of a smoothie/acai bowl. Smooth Seas believes that preparing foods for our family, friends, and community is a great responsibility, so we strive to serve healthy food made with the highest quality, whole food ingredients with Zero added sugars and additives. Food that the people can trust. Additionally, the fruit has natural sugars, which some people believe is “bad” for you or weight loss due to the increased blood sugar it can cause if not paired correctly with other foods. From my master’s degree in nutrition, I have learned how to curve or reduce a blood sugar spike, and our menu is specially curated to avoid blood sugar spikes by the thoughtful pairings of certain fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smoothseaswellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoothseas_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smoothseas/
Image Credits
Eleanor Christine Photography, Magnolia Photography
