Olympic gold medalist Michael Cherry didn’t just win on the track; he reversed a failing business and is now on pace for $275,000 in annual revenue with his Painting with a Twist franchise in Chesapeake, Virginia. For Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, Cherry’s story proves that an Olympic work ethic applied to a struggling franchise can turn decline into rapid growth—fast.
From Olympic Relay to Franchise Owner
Cherry, 30, won gold in the men’s 4 x 400 meters relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. But his next victory came in the boardroom. For years, he attended at least 30 classes at Painting with a Twist locations across Orlando, Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami, falling in love with the “fun art, not fine art” experience. In October 2025, he bought a studio in his hometown of Chesapeake that was down 16% in revenue from the prior year.
He saw potential in the decline. Within months, he reversed the trend, generating more than $168,000 in revenue through early June—an 11.5% increase over the same period last year. The studio hit $231,000 in 2025 and is now projected to reach $275,000 in 2026.
The 400-Meter Mindset in Business
Cherry’s main event was the 400 meters, the longest sprint. He says it teaches patience, pain tolerance, and execution under pressure—all critical in business. “You can’t panic in a 400, and you can’t panic in business,” he told Entrepreneur. “There will be slow days, but you have to trust that things will turn around if you keep working.”
He applies the same discipline: showing up daily, staying calm, and experimenting. “In track, you might try something different in a race to get better results; in business, you might put out something that doesn’t work one week and then try something new the next week that becomes a hit.”
What You Can Do With This
If you’re considering a franchise, Cherry’s lesson is clear: visit the location repeatedly, understand the customer, and don’t buy a “maybe” gig. Painting with a Twist requires engaged owners who invest time daily. Qualified candidates need a minimum net worth of $200,000 and $80,000 in liquid assets, with startup costs ranging from $119,000 to $255,500.
Cherry says, “If I had to make this decision all over again, I would still choose Painting with a Twist. I would choose it over a million times.” For Black entrepreneurs, that kind of conviction—backed by discipline and customer focus—is the real gold medal.
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