Entrepreneur Trades Corporate Job for Cool New Twist

Original reporting by Theresa Katalinas

Suganya Khanthan had a successful career in pharmaceutical marketing, but something was missing.

Passion.

"I wasn't making a purpose in this world," Khanthan said while seated in the bright-hued interior of the Menchie's Frozen Yogurt franchise which she opened about seven weeks ago in Upper Moreland Township.

The absent ingredient in her life was getting to know her community and using her own experiences to mentor young people. 

Khanthan, 39, of Horsham, does both since becoming the franchise owner of the Menchie's store located within the Marketplace at Huntingdon Valley at 2042 County Line Road. 

"This is my passion. When you're meant to do something, you're meant to do something," Khanthan said. "I feel like I finally have a purpose."

Khanthan mentors local participants in the Girls on the Runrunning club and is looking to become a coach for the group, which is comprised of 8- to 13-year-old girls who train together to run a 5K.

The girls meet at Menchie's and Khanthan, besides bringing the expertise as a first-time business owner, is able to share her personal experiences of battling obesity, losing weight–and keeping off 110 pounds for eight years–as well as training for her first half marathon in 2007.

"It makes sense because I'm a girl," she said.

But, what made even more sense to Khanthan was Menchie's penchant for giving back to the community. Nearly two years ago, Khanthan said she had first considered opening her own store and was sold on the notion after realizing that the company "makes you smile" and is super community-centered.

In her store, Khanthan, in hosting fundraising efforts, ensures that 20 percent of proceeds are donated to organizations, or community groups.

Speaking of community, self-serve frozen yogurt bars are becoming more and more common with most towns having several to call their own. Recognizing that the businesses are cropping up seemingly everywhere, Khanthan said she's befriended the owners of area yogurt bars that have come before her own, including Simply Twisted Frozen Yogurt and YoFresh Yogurt Cafe, both in Horsham.

"We help each other out in the industry," she said.

While she loves the product–which comes in 14 flavors, including frozen yogurt, sorbet and sugar-free varieties, along with an extensive topping and sauce bar–Khanthan said meeting and getting to know her customers is an added perk. 

"I love people and I love children," she said. "I always greet all the guests. Everyone seems to like that. I really want to have that one-on-one interaction. Everyone says that's what brings them back."

And that interaction and the prospect of serving her community is what Khanthan said was missing from her last job and why, instead of seeking an MBA, she took the plunge and opened her own business.

"It's a different feel than I've ever felt in my life," Khanthan said. "It's just more moving to me than being in that office job."