37

Franchise Owner

Chicken Salad Chick

Kendal Potesta, along with her husband, owns three Chicken Salad Chick locations in Southwest Florida with more opening soon. But before becoming an entrepreneur, Potesta worked several years as a civilian for the U.S. Army. And that’s where she received her most important career advice.

“I was afraid to speak up and tell my superiors what I wanted to do with my career. My HR manager told me, ‘No one is going to look out for you like you are. If you want something, you need to speak up and go for it!’” she says. “That piece of advice has always stuck with me and is something I try to impart to those that work closely with us. If you want something in your life, you have to make it happen for yourself. Speak up, look for resources and make it happen!”

In addition to her entrepreneurial skills, Potesta has also used her Chicken Salad Chick restaurants to give back to the community. The opening of each location raised money for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Plus, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Potesta led an initiative to donate fresh meals to frontline workers and first responders.