We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominique Treadwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

When I first came up with the idea for Spoonlight Ice Cream, it was less of a lightning bolt moment and more of a slow burn rooted in nostalgia and joy. Growing up, ice cream was the highlight of my neighborhood—the sound of the ice cream truck was the soundtrack to connection and community. I wanted to bring that same feeling back, but in a way that felt elevated, adventurous, and personal. That was the seed of Spoonlight.

But having an idea and making it real are two very different things. Once I decided to move forward, the very first step was getting clear on my vision. I didn’t just want to make ice cream; I wanted to create an experience. So I spent weeks brainstorming flavors, experimenting in my kitchen, and obsessing over the details—what would make my ice cream stand out? How could I weave fun, flirtation, and flavor into every scoop? I leaned into my culinary creativity and started crafting recipes with bold ingredients like habanero honey, candied bacon, and rose jam, always prioritizing quality with A2 dairy.

Next, I dug into research. I learned everything I could about local food laws, licensing, and how to turn my kitchen hobby into a legitimate business. I discovered I couldn’t operate under cottage food laws in Alabama and needed to secure a commercial kitchen. This led to months of planning, calling local spaces, and securing an affordable setup that worked for my small-batch production.

Once I had the logistics figured out, it was time to focus on branding. I knew I wanted Spoonlight to be cheeky, bold, and unforgettable, so I spent hours designing the look and feel of the brand—everything from the fonts to the color palette to the witty flavor names that matched the personality I envisioned. I poured over logo ideas and got feedback from friends, family, and even potential customers to make sure it resonated.

The actual launch? That was the leap of faith. I started with pre-orders and small catering gigs, testing the waters and figuring out what worked. My very first event was a birthday party, and the response blew me away. Seeing people light up with excitement over my ice cream was the validation I needed to keep going. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I had to figure out packaging, how to keep the ice cream frozen during pickups, and how to streamline my production schedule while still working a full-time job. Every day felt like juggling ten things at once, but every win made it worth it.

Now, a few months in, I’ve served over 200 pints, participated in community events, and even won two business pitch competitions. The process of turning Spoonlight into a reality has been challenging, exhilarating, and deeply rewarding. It’s taught me to adapt, listen to feedback, and lean into the magic of bringing joy to people, one spoonful at a time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! My name is Dominique Treadwell, and I am the founder and Chief Flavor Maker of Spoonlight Ice Cream, a small-batch, artisan ice cream company designed to bring bold flavors and playful flirtation to every scoop. Ice cream has always been my passion—it’s not just a dessert to me, but a symbol of connection, joy, and celebration. Growing up, the sound of the ice cream truck brought my neighborhood together, and that sense of community is something I wanted to recreate through my business.

I’ve been making ice cream for over 10 years, perfecting my craft and pushing flavor boundaries. Spoonlight is the culmination of that journey, blending creative recipes, high-quality ingredients, and a cheeky brand voice that invites people to indulge and have fun. We specialize in unique flavors like *Hot Honey Cornbread*—a sweet cream ice cream with swirls of habanero honey and crumbles of country cornbread—or *Blushing Bubbles,* a pomegranate champagne sorbet perfect for celebrations. Every pint is crafted with A2 dairy to make it easier to enjoy without the digestive discomfort traditional dairy can sometimes cause.

At Spoonlight, we don’t just sell ice cream—we create experiences. From hosting tasting events to offering curated bundles, we aim to bring joy, adventure, and a little flirtation to our customers’ lives. Whether it’s a date night, a party, or just a moment to treat yourself, Spoonlight is here to make life sweeter.

What sets us apart is our commitment to bold creativity, community connection, and exceptional quality. We collaborate with local vendors and artisans for flavor inspiration, support fundraising initiatives for schools, and are always listening to feedback from our customers to grow and improve. For example, in just a few months, we’ve already served over 200 pints, earned 75+ five-star reviews, and participated in several community events, including a birthday party and business pitch competitions.

What I’m most proud of is seeing how Spoonlight brings people together. Watching someone’s face light up as they try a new flavor or hearing that our ice cream made their event extra special reminds me why I started this journey. I want potential customers to know that Spoonlight isn’t just about the ice cream—it’s about savoring life’s little luxuries, building connections, and delivering joy with every bite.

So whether you’re ready to indulge in your favorite flavor or try something adventurous, Spoonlight is here to serve up bold, delicious moments. We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next! If you want to join us for a good spoon, join our email list at www.spoonlighticecream.com to stay up to date on all the great things to come!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

At Spoonlight Ice Cream, building connections with our customers and fostering loyalty is at the core of what we do. We stay engaged through direct communication on social media, email newsletters, and in-person interactions at community events. By offering unique flavors made with high-quality ingredients, we keep our offerings exciting and consistent, encouraging customers to return. We’re introducing a loyalty program to reward repeat customers with exclusive perks like early access to new flavors and special promotions. Sharing behind-the-scenes content, highlighting customer stories, and collaborating with local businesses further strengthen trust and community ties. These efforts ensure our customers feel valued and part of the Spoonlight experience.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As a creative entrepreneur, one thing non-creatives might not fully grasp is the constant balance between artistry and practicality. While crafting unique ice cream flavors is driven by passion and imagination, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work—like refining recipes, managing finances, and juggling production schedules—that’s equally vital but less glamorous. The creative process doesn’t always happen on a set timeline; sometimes, inspiration hits at odd hours, and other times, it takes weeks of trial and error to perfect an idea. What might look effortless on the outside is often the result of sleepless nights, meticulous planning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. But that’s the beauty of it—when everything comes together, it’s worth every bit of the hustle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spoonlighticecream.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spoonlighticecream
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095366686401
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/dominiquetreadwell