Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Sanders.
Hi Alicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
FRIO Rolled Ice Cream began as a hobby during the beginning of the pandemic. I am a licensed Georgia Real Estate agent and I was at home playing school teacher to my kids when I joined the newly TikTok app. I have always loved ice cream since I was a child, I remember the ice cream trucks rolling around and me running after them as a kid. My mom is also an ice cream connoisseur so I have it honest. I quickly got addicted to all the ice cream videos I was seeing, but one in particular that caught my eye was a Thailand Rolled Ice Cream. The way they created the ice cream on the streets of Thailand was very intriguing to me. I watched videos until the morning hrs and immediately told my husband Warren that I had to have one of those machines. If you know me like he knows me you know I have to have everything and I won’t stop until I get it. This was no different, a few months later he drove me to the North Georgia Mountains where I purchased my first rolled ice cream machine. I got it home and started mixing up concoctions to create ice cream to roll.
This was tough, but I got it and I started rolling in my garage and having my kids taste test it and all the kids in the neighborhood. It was a hit and has been ever since. I had never eaten rolled ice cream or even seen it before. I googled to try to find places around me and there were none. Months later I saw where a rolled ice cream shop was being opened In the Underground in Atlanta and my family and I went and tried it, It was soooo good. My husband Warren saw where I was serious about rolled ice cream and decided to put his IT work on the back burner and partner with me and build me an ice cream shop here in Covington, GA. He completed the entire project within 4 months with the help of an amazing contractor. My husband and 3 children have been a great support system for me through this process. I had truly not much stress, my husband being a Veteran went into combat mode and got things done. Today we have a brick and mortar location 3 minutes from the Covington Square at 10154 Carlin Dr Covington, GA 30014. FRIO Rolled Ice Cream is Woman Owned/ Black Owned.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to opening FRIO Rolled Ice Cream has been relatively smooth. We live in a great area where the city supports small business and don’t make things super difficult. The inspectors and city explained things in detail what was needed to open a restaurant-type business and we just followed directions.
Being creative and creating my menu came with some focusing hurdles but I found that I focus better at night and am more creative at night. I advise anyone not to be afraid to make mistakes along the way, you will never be perfect at something you have never done. But I must say you have to tap in and do things you have never done before. Take advice and do things differently, it may just work out vs doing things the way you have all along. I had no mentor, no one to show me the way, no blueprint at all, but I had a desire in my heart and a support system that wouldn’t let me give up or fail.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about FRIO Rolled Ice Cream?
Frio Rolled Ice Cream is a Thailand-inspired style of ice cream. We provide you with an artistic experience with ice cream where you are allowed to choose your own flavors. Coffee, Lattes, Milkshakes and Smoothies are sold at this location also. I specialize in aesthetics, your ice cream will be beautiful and delectable.
Come say hello to our amazing Rollologist!
What are your plans for the future?
In the future, we plan to expand our brand to the different states through franchising. FRIO will be a household name!
Pricing:
- Rolled Ice Cream $7.75 per cup
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frio_rolledicecream
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friorolledicecream
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@friorolledicecream2369
Image Credits
Derrious Hawk Instagram @capturedbyhawk_
