Entrepreneurs dream big. It might start with an idea. An idea to own a business, be the boss, and take control of your future. But there’s one key that helps turn that idea into a reality. That one key is what true entrepreneurs keep with them through all the ups and downs, trials and errors. Perseverance.

Without it, we would all just give up. Perseverance teaches us to push through the hard times because the best is yet to come.

The best part about owning a business is that it is ever evolving and with that comes the opportunity for business expansion. Growing a business brings with it its own challenges and obstacles but without growth, your dreams will never be fully realized.

Maui Wowi franchisee, Amit Patel, is a testament to the power of perseverance. He started his coffee and smoothie business in 2012 with a mobile tiki-hut style cart. The business model lends itself to being a great starting point and the ideal way to expand into additional units, and that’s exactly what Amit did. A year after becoming a franchisee, Amit opened a retail location at the Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove, Georgia.

Amit diligently worked to build a strong customer following at his store, while simultaneously managing an event-based business with the mobile cart. The cart, it turns out, was a good way to drive traffic to the store and vice versa. Meanwhile, he set out to secure a spot as a vendor in a popular venue. Infinite Energy Center is a 90 acre multi-purpose property located in Duluth, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. The venue is home to a variety of events including concerts, performances, and tradeshows, and is the perfect place for Maui Wowi.

Amit tried for nearly two years to catch the attention of the venue, each time without success. But that didn’t stop him. He decided to call in reinforcements and worked with the Maui Wowi support team, who helped him pitch the Maui Wowi concept to the venue…and it worked!

There is now a Maui Wowi cart blending fresh fruit smoothies and frozen cocktails, and brewing gourmet Hawaiian coffee at Infinite Energy Center. The business expansion has lead him to hire three new employees to help at both the store and venue.

Amit is now entering a new and exciting phase of his Maui Wowi business and has proven that perseverance is the key to how he got here.

“My best advice is don’t give up. It’s not easy but it works out if you stick with it,” said Amit.