Category Archives: Podcasts

Whipty-Do!, Joe & Kristen Fields, their story – Episode 17

Kristen & Joe Fields, Whipty-Do!, tell their story and then COVID HIT.

The “Famous” Blue Cone!

I have had the pleasure to work with Kristen & Joe Fields for many years. I have enjoyed watching them grow their business; with great ice cream treats, hard work, and a well planned Social Media program. Their use of Facebook and Instagram has paid off well. Listen to their story about operating a family business, the challenges of raising a family, and how they adapted to the… COVID PANDEMIC.

Bliss Small Batch Creamery, Theresa Fouquette – Episode 16

Today I had the pleasure to talk with Theresa Fouquette, co-owner, of Bliss Small Batch Creamery. Theresa talks about her vision on building her first store, adapting to the COVID 2020, and her dreams for future growth with mobile carts, trucks, and retail shops.

COVID 2020 How Bliss Creamery adapted to a Pandemic

(3) C. Nelson Mfg., CO. 12diphv curved glass cabinets in BLACK

Outside counter retail service – COVID the new normal in retail sales

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – David Deadman, NICRA 2018 Convention Chair, Episode 15

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream – David Deadman, NICRA 2018 Convention Chair, Episode 15

 

Show Links and Links:

2018 NICRA CONVENTION GUEST SPEAKER Brain Smith of Ample Hills Creamery, Brooklyn, NY

 

National Ice Cream Retailers Association – Steve Christensen, Executive Director, Episode 14

National Ice Cream Retailers Association – Steve Christensen, Executive Director

Just last week, I caught up with my good friend Steve Christensen and we talked about the retail ice cream industry.  He talked about his life journey and business experiences that have helped him prepare for his new job as the ( August 2018) Executive Director of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA).  Steve talks about the history and people that have made NICRA a wonderful group to be part of.

Steve and I talked about how  NICRA is the best resource for new operators just getting started in our industry.  Where else can you sit down with a Carl Chaney of Chaney’s Dairy Barn or David Deadman of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream and talk about how to get started in the ice cream industry.  As Steve said, Carl and David are just 2 examples of the wonderfully successful operators in NICRA that are available to help new shop owners.

Show Notes:

2018 NICRA CONVENTION, 10 REASONS TO COME VIDEO

FACEBOOK ICE CREAM MEMBERS ONLY

ICE Cream Alliance of UK

Brian Smith w/Ample Hills Creamery, Keynote Speaker @ 2018 NICRA Convention

 

 

Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery by Tamara Keefe – Episode 13

Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery

Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery, owner, Tamara Keefe and I talk about how she started in the small batch, handcrafted, ice cream industry and how she is growing her brand.

 Tamara  has some great suggestions for those soon to be shop owners about social media, budgeting, and what it takes to open you first store.

 

Inside Clementine’s with (2) C. Nelson Mfg., Co Curved Glass/HIV ice cream dipping cabinets

 

Clementine’s Store #2

NICRA Join today!

NICRA, National Ice Cream Retailers Association

Chaney’s Dairy Barn – Carl Chaney talks about the journey – Episode 12

I had the pleasure to meet Debra & Carl Chaney, the summer of 2003, before they opened their shop, I had the pleasure to work with the Chaney’s on their recipes and flavorings for their great tasting homemade ice creams.

This is the story as told by Carl Chaney,  “if you are welling to get up early and stay up late you too can enjoy the fruits of your hard work”.

This is a story about an American dream by a hard working family from Bowling Green, KY.

May I introduce to you Carl Chaney.

The Solar Eclipse at Chaney’s Dairy Barn

 

NICRA Join today!

NICRA, National Ice Cream Retailers Association

 

GLICFFA 2017 – SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS – SELLING – TAYLOR FREEZER OF MICHIGAN – Episode 11

A conversation with Jake Klein, Lead Project Manager, Taylor Freezer of Michigan. I caught up with Jake at the 2017 GLICFFA Convention in Lansing, MI on February 4th I was working the Taylor Freezer of MI booth helping with their customers and sales reps. He talks about his roll at the ice cream & food specialty sales company in Michigan. Jake handles the social media, web design, and related internet and marketing areas at the distributorship.  He talks about how he is updating the sales reps awareness a of social media tools and how they can continue to grow their sales as well as serve existing customers.  Jake tells me how he brings together the internet marketing support programs from Taylor Company and ties it in with his companies sales and service needs. He is working hard to blend the best of the past with the tools of the future.  Enjoy and I trust you will find it of value.

 

Mike Rodemann with Hillson Nut Company talked Pecans at the Mid-America Restaurant Expo, Episode 10

From the show floor, at the Mid-America Restaurant Expo, I had a chance to talk with a good friend of mine Mike Rodemann, Vice President of Operations, The Hillson Nut Company, Cleveland, OH.  The Hillson Nut Company was an exhibitor at the the Mid-America trade show.  The trade show was designed around the Pizza, Ice Cream, Food Truck, Casual and Fine dinning businesses.  Mike and I talked about making special nut recipes for ice cream shops and how nuts really do enhance the flavor of ice cream. Mike also told me that ice cream owners should be aware of the current….. bubble in the pecan market.

Stay tuned for a great conversation with Mike Rodemann about how nuts…… make good ice creams….. taste great!

 

Mid-America Restaurant Expo

Peck Food Service

Instant whip Food

STEVE CHRISTENSEN – THE HEADMASTER at the Ice Cream ScoopSchool.com – Episode 9

I had a chance to catch up with a very busy traveler and ice cream trainer this week, Steve Christensen, The Headmaster @ Scoopschool.com located in St. Louis, MO.  I have known Steve since the mid-2000’s and have enjoyed his passion for helping all those in the ice cream retail shop business.  I caught up with Steve as he was preparing for his class at the Mid-America Ice Cream & Restaurant Expo in Columbus, OH.

 

Steve Christensen – The Headmaster @ scoopschool.com

Show notes:

NICRA

NEICRA

SCOOP SCHOOL

PENN STATE SHORT COURSE

ICE CREAM ALLIANCE (UK)

INSIDE ICE CREAM

ICE CREAM BLOKE