We were lucky to catch up with Janet McGinnis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Janet, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My mission is to create an environment as the heart of the community, where families gather, friends reunite, and memories are made.
Being passionate for the nostalgic times of growing up in small NJ town, when kids and families had plenty of places to connect by spending time in pizza places, roller rinks, visiting the beach and boardwalks together. It was a time where life’s simplest moments became our warmest memories. I wanted to bring the community together the same way where families could spend quality time together, and create traditions for generations to come. With a true appreciation for the importance of community and family, Larry’s Ice Cream was the perfect way to bring the dreams of yesteryear to life.
The essence of those beach vacations, boardwalk treats and of course the NJ Diner classics, have inspired our menus, infusing them with delectable food and desserts. We hope to transport customers with our menu experience and aim to evoke a sense of a fun and joyous nostalgia, reminiscent of carefree days spent with friends and family.
My commitment is to create a place where kids of today could experience the same joy and friendship I had once enjoyed. I envisioned a space that would be fun, friendly, and, above all, safe— where children could go hang out making memories for years to come. I started by creating activities and events that would capture an experience that resonated with everyone. I took the vision further to create a place where holidays come alive and where the community could come together to celebrate in a magical environment. Inspired by the enchantment of Hallmark movies, I produced warm, nostalgic decorations during Christmas, Halloween, and other festive seasons.
Larry’s is a place where kids could be kids, where friendships are created, and families unite. I also recognize the importance of opportunities for local teenagers to gain work experience and develop essential skills. It was important to create a positive and nurturing work culture, where young staff members could learn the fundamentals of work ethic while creating a meaningful experience that they will take with them throughout their lives.
It is my hope that even in a rapidly changing world, the magic of the past could be brought back to life, creating a future filled with joy, togetherness, and countless cherished memories.
Janet, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My journey began as a child of a family-owned business, watching and learning the dedication and nurturing of our family’s small business for 33 years. I learned that hard work and determination can lay the foundation for the American dream.
With over 25 years of experience in financial services, I gained valuable skills and insights that are instrumental in building Larry’s Ice Cream into the growing brand its’ become with multiple locations. My experience in a family business gave me a unique perspective on creating a welcoming and customer-focused environment.
Owning a small business is an exciting endeavor, and I am thrilled to bring the entrepreneurial spirit to the next generation of my own family. Our dedication and hard work continue to be a sweet and rewarding journey for Larrys Ice Cream!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As a small business ice cream parlor and cafe, we managed to navigate through the turbulent times of COVID-19 and even thrived despite the challenges. We were dedicated to doing whatever it took to keep the business moving forward.
By promoting on social media and offering curbside pickup, delivery, and other flexible options, we showed adaptability and a willingness to meet the needs of customers during a difficult time. This customer-centric approach likely helped build trust and loyalty among our long-time patrons as well as new customers.
Our locations gradually became busier and required additional staff which proved the effectiveness of our strategies. Our delivery service sales increased dramatically, tapping into new revenue streams. Setting up a tent for a “drive-through” experience in communities was a creative solution that brought ice cream to customers in a safe and convenient way.
Overall, our resilience, resourcefulness, and willingness to go above and beyond for our customers paid off. It was thrilling to be a small business and not only survive but also thrive during such challenging times.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Connecting with the team and maintaining high morale is essential for effective team management. We recognized the importance of connecting with our younger staff and found a creative way to do so through social media, specifically TikTok.
By engaging in social media trends, such as creating posts related to trending desserts, music, and other fun ideas, it brought a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the staff. This helped to create a positive work environment and a sense of belonging among the team.
Having fun at work is crucial for employee satisfaction and motivation. I feel it’s important for employees to enjoy their work environment, as they are more likely to be productive, creative, and committed. I hope to create a balance between work and fun, and build an atmosphere where people genuinely look forward to coming to work.
Recognizing that many of your staff members are in their first jobs, it’s especially important to provide them with a positive experience. I connected that very same way with my first job as a young teen. A positive work experience can have a lasting impact on their development, shaping their future attitudes towards work and relationships within the workforce.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.larrysicecreamandcafe.com
- Instagram: larrysicecream
- Facebook: larrysicecream
- Twitter: larrysicecream