We recently connected with Lisa Thompson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I moved to Ishpeming, MI during the COVID lockdowns. I spent a lot of time sitting in a lawn chair outside my house because so many activities and businesses had been shut down. I noticed that the local kids spent a lot of time riding around on bikes looking for somewhere to hang out. I realized that even after the lockdowns ended, there weren’t many kid-friendly places where kids could hang out without their parents. I was an elementary school teacher in my 20s so I wanted to do something to help. Opening an ice cream shop seemed like a great solution!
Lisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’ve wanted to do something in the food industry since I was in high school but was never sure which route to choose. Once I realized I wanted to also create a space where people could spend time with others they might not otherwise interact with, an ice cream shop with a large outdoor gathering space seemed like the best idea. Looking outside during our busy hours and seeing people chatting and playing games together always makes my day! That’s what I really wanted to accomplish. My proudest moment was when a friend told me she had a great conversation outside with someone who had previously bashed her online. Getting people off their phones and having a face to face conversation is one of my biggest goals.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
When I first opened my business I was so worried about things being perfect, I was at my shop all the time micromanaging my employees. As a result I ended up burnt out and grumpy. I eventually learned to hire people I trusted and train them to do everything I can do. I trust my employees to make decisions when I’m not there and they always make good ones. We’re all happier now!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My dad! He worked for the same company for 40 years and taught business at a university. I never took a business class in college but I didn’t need to because he taught me all of the important stuff as I was growing up. All those dinner table conversations that seemed so boring ended up being useful.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ishcreamery.com
- Instagram: @theishcreamery