The Ice Cream Podcast

In this episode, we discuss everything about the biggest ice cream and frozen dessert trade event in the USA, the "Cone-vention" and Trade Show of the North American Ice Cream Association. We go through the new events, the full agenda, and the best way to get the most out of this yearly event. It is a great investment in your business's success and future. All of the information inc...

In this episode, we speak to Mary Leopold of Leopold's Ice Cream in Savannah GA Mary and her husband Stratton are the proud owners of their 100-year-old business which has a wonderful family heritage.  Another project that the Leopolds are very excited about is the "I Pledge" Program. This is a very simple program that encourages local ice cream shops to team up with their community...

In this episode, we speak to David Alima of The Charmery in Baltimore MD. David and his wife Laura have 5 stores, one on the way, and a bustling production plant.  AND he still has time to share his expertise with a fellow ice cream store operator in the Association Mentor Program - "Cone-nect" For more information on the Charmery: https://www.thecharmery.com/ For more information on the...

This week we spend some time with Christine D'Amico, Chairperson of the Ice Cream Competition Committee. We have a new judging organization, a new pricing structure, and new procedures, so please take 20 minutes or so to listen to the podcast.  If you have never entered your products into the NICRA Ice Cream and Frozen Desert Competitions, this year is your year. Remember Ship date this year...

In this episode, we feature the audio replay of the Webinar regarding the November 2021 Trade Show and Convention of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association.  For more information, agenda, and ticket sales, go to https://www.nicra.org/ For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how you can open and grow your ice cream business with a community that will support you, go to h...

This week on the NICRA Podcast we talk to Sue Kloter, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee.  With applications for scholarships now being opened, Sue discusses the application process, how the applications are weighted, and some other important information regarding the application process. This year, NICRA is giving out $20,000 in Scholarship funds to employee members of NICRA businesses, and...

in this episode of the NICRA Podcast, we review the chat we had with Adrienne and JP from Wanderlust Creamery at Conecon West earlier in the year.  It was a great session where we discussed the origins of their brand, how they great to multiple locations, and how their pint program drove sales through the pandemic. A great listen. You can find out more about the Wanderlust story at https://www.wan...

In this episode, we chat with Kim Malek of Salt and Straw. Kim shares her story about the origins of Salt and Straw, obtaining investors to grow, and how she and her team grew their business in a very challenging 2020. Please note, this audio was pulled from our recent Conecon West event, and apologies for the host's somewhat muted audio. Find out more about salt and straw at  www.saltandstra...

On this episode of the NICRA podcast, we speak to Mike Schifino of Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe located in Gloucester MA. Mike is a real character and shares with listeners his road to ice cream success, thoughts of flavor development, and how his collaboration with Dave Portnoy's mum raised some much-needed funds for local businesses during the 2020 pandemic. https://www.holycowicecreamcafe.com/...

In this episode of the NICRA podcast, we speak to Tim Stubbs, VP of Food Safety at the Innovation Center for US Dairy, NICRA Volunteer, and all-around good guy. Tim leads a team of food safety academics and professionals that have developed valuable and free tools for you to use to help in your food safety news years resolutions. Some of the websites spoken of in this episode are: https://www.usda...

In this episode, we feature Evan Waldt of both Slices Concession and Emerymark USA. Evan has led a fascinating life prior to his involvement in the frozen dessert business and is a true character of the industry. Evan shares with us his thoughts on the coming trends, life in the Americorps program, and much much more. Websites referred to in this episode: https://www.nationalservice.gov/ https://s...

This week we review the recent Conecon Convention and Tradeshow with a list of the winners and grinners and some of the behind the scenes information. If you are a member of NICRA and registered for the event, you can still view the recordings of the sessions up until the 10th of December 2020. Just go to www.conecon2020.com and log in, and click  on Review Past Recordings For information about th...

In this episode, we talk Christine D'Amico of Over the Top Ice Cream. Christine is the Chairperson of the NICRA Ice Cream Clinic Committee which runs and oversees the ice cream and frozen dessert competitions at the Annual NICRA Trade Show and Convention. With this year's convention being live-streamed, Christine covers the process of how to enter the competition, some of the ways that t...

In this episode, we talk to Sue Kloter, Chairperson of the Bryce Thomson Scholarship Committee about applying for the NICRA Scholarship Progam in 2020. The Link and all information about the Scholarship can be found at www.nicra.org/scholarship For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how you can open and grow your ice cream business with a community that will support you, go...

In this episode, we feature the audio replay of our July 7 webinar with Thomas Yochim of the SBA. Tom's contact details as per his slide on the webinar is as follows: Thomas Yochim, Deputy District Director St. Louis District Office U.S. Small Business Administration 314-539-6615 thomas.yochim@sba.gov For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how you can open and grow your...

In this episode, we spoke to Roger Trahin from Trahin Miller Insurance. Trahin/Miller has been a great supporter of the association and an exhibitor at the show for many years. Roger discusses some very important insurance matters in this session and some of the areas you can save money. Also, are you covered for all you need to be?? Regardless of who you use for insurance, this is very good advic...

In this episode, we chat with Garrett Clark of Rolling Monkey in Statesborough GA. Garrett and his wife Meagan have been in the business for about 18 months and Garrett shares some insight into the process of recently opening a business, the pros and cons of Rolled Ice Cream, and a unique way of connecting with their customers through their YouTube Channel. The links discussed in the episode are f...

In this episode we have Thomas Yochim from the St Louis Dist Office of the Small Business Administration. Tom shared some valuable insights into the SBA loan process 4 weeks ago and spent some time with us updating members on the current status of the PPP and EIDL programs and the Loan Forgiveness process. Some of the links and documents he mentioned are below: https://home.treasury.gov/system/fil...

This episode, Steve Christensen, the Executive Director of the NICRA organization shares the top 5 things we should be focusing on as Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert retailers in a post-COVID-19 Market If you would like to be on the NICRA podcast please feel free to reach out to the NICRA office at info@nicra.org or call 636 778 1822 For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how y...

Webinar Replay of the Opening and Operating your Ice Cream Business Post COVID-19. For more details, go to www.nicra.org For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how you can open and grow your ice cream business with a community that will support you, go to https://icecreamassociation.org/

In this episode, we talk to Zelica Carr of the UK Ice Cream Alliance Zelica is the CEO of the "NICRA" of the UK and discusses their challenges with COVID-19 and how the UK ice cream industry is faring. Their website is http://www.ice-cream.org If you would like to share some of your experiences during this challenging time in our industry and be on the podcast, please reach out - info@ni...

NICRA PODCAST - Replay of the SBA Webinar describing Financial Relief Options This episode we talk to Tom Yochim of the SBA District Office in St Louis. Tom covers the three economic relief options for the SBA programs helping retailers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic fallout. Some great information here including: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resou...

In this episode, we talk to Jen Foley of Foleys Ice Cream in Braintree MA. These are certainly challenging times with the COVID-19 crisis affecting all of our businesses in some way or another. Jen Foley from Foleys Ice Cream has been liaising with local health departments, tweaking her menu and even connected with the local fire department to increase her sales during this time. During a time whe...

A recording of the NICRA webinar with Ashley Thiesen of the Modern Connection. Ashley discusses the need for communication through the fall out of the COVID-19 crisis and what are best practises for you and your business with social media. www.themodernconnection.com For information about the North American Ice Cream Assoc, and how you can open and grow your ice cream business with a community tha...

In this episode, we are replaying the audio of the NICRA COVID-19 webinar. Panelists and business owners discuss changes to SOP's and General Business Practises for retail and wholesale ice cream shop owners and the following panelists; Steve Christensen - Executive Director, NICRA Dave Deadman – Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company Samuel D. Alcaine, Ph. D. - Assistant Professor - Dairy Fermen...