Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice Cherng and Belinda Wei.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, we both had fond experiences at ice cream parlors, but after becoming vegans, it was challenging to find delicious ice cream that was dairy-free. After being disappointed by the dairy-free options at traditional ice cream parlors, they set out to recreate that childhood joy for everyone.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We took over an existing restaurant that was in disgusting condition, to say the least. It was very hard work to transform the space to a bright and clean ice cream parlor. We both had full-time jobs at the time, so we’d work our daytime jobs, then meet up at the shop around 7pm and would work until well past midnight. We did that every night and every weekend for 2 months to update the store. We did everything ourselves, from painting to installing various equipment and shelves. Luckily, we had supportive friends, who would come help when they could. Looking back, we still don’t know how we managed to pull it off while working other jobs, but it’s a memory that makes us very proud of what we’ve accomplished.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cocobella Creamery – what should we know?
Cocobella Creamery looks to provide a high-quality and nutritious alternative to a childhood favorite treat. We are committed to using only natural and wholesome ingredients that we would eat ourselves and share with our families. We believe that ice cream is a magical food that can bring immeasurable joy and pleasure, and no one should be deprived of that simple joy of having an ice cream cone on a hot day.
What makes Cocobella Creamery most unique is its ice cream, which is 100% plant-based and dairy-free. We use simple and wholesome ingredients such as coconuts and cane sugar, making our ice cream widely acceptable for most dietary restrictions. The best part is that it tastes amazing! Its decadence and creaminess can rival any conventional counterpart. We draw our flavor inspiration from the classics that everyone is familiar with, but we put a small spin on it for a sense of creativity and adventure. An example would be our Chocolate PB&J, which starts with a classic chocolate ice cream, then we churn ribbons of creamy peanut butter and strawberry jam for a fun twist.
We are very proud of our product.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We’ve had a lot of support, both emotional and physical, throughout our journey. Our friends and family were encouraging and even stepped in to help us clean and transform the store from a rundown restaurant to a cute ice cream parlor. We reached out to SCORE during the planning phase and was assigned a seasoned mentor, who not only had extensive ice cream business, but was also incredibly encouraging. Through him, we got the confidence to keep moving forward every step.
We simply wouldn’t have had the success we’ve had if it weren’t for our amazing staff. We treat everyone who works for us as family and a tight-knit team. We are so blessed to have great people, who truly believe in our brand and product and work tirelessly to support our mission.
Finally, our customers also deserve a ton of credit. From the early adopters to the newest customer, we have been beyond lucky to have the support and praise from everyone since we opened. Our customers inspire us to constantly create and deliver the best dairy-free ice creams possible.
Pricing:
- 1 Scoop $5,25
- 2 Scoops $7.25
- 3 Scoops $8.75
- Kids Scoop $4.25
- Specialty Sundae $10
- Pint $10
- Sammie $6.50
- Housemade Gluten-Free Waffle Cone $1.75
Contact Info:
- Address: 1253 Vine St., #12
Los Angeles, CA 90038 - Website: https://www.cocobellacreamery.com/
- Phone: 323-848-4672
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocobellacreamery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocobellacreamery/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cocobella-creamery-los-angeles-2
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