We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Priyadarshini Kumar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Priyadarshini below.

Alright, Priyadarshini thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

After spending 17 wonderful years in Canada, building a life in Toronto, raising our family, and immersing ourselves in the Canadian way of living, we felt it was time for a new chapter. We wanted something different, not just for ourselves, but for our kids too. That’s when we made the big decision to move to the U.S. through the E2 visa program. It was both exciting and a little scary as leaving behind the familiar for a new adventure in Texas.

For E2 visa, we wanted to do something entrepreneurial, something that allowed me to balance work with family and also bring joy to others. I’ve always loved desserts, especially ice creams and popsicles and I started researching businesses that aligned with both my passion and the lifestyle we wanted. That’s when I discovered Frios Gourmet Pops. It instantly caught my attention. A mobile popsicle business that’s flexible, fun, community-oriented, and kid-friendly? It was like it was made just for us.

From there, the idea quickly started turning into action.

The very next day, I dove deep into researching everything about Frios—their franchise model, support system, investment requirements, and whether it would be a good fit for the E2 visa criteria. We started working with our attorney and Franchise consultant and I reached out to the company and had a few calls with their team. I loved how supportive and down-to-earth they were. It wasn’t just a franchise, it felt like a family.

Over the next few weeks, I focused on understanding the business side. what permits we needed in Texas, how to register the LLC, what kind of insurance and certifications were required to operate a mobile food business. I also began gathering the documentation needed for the E2 visa such as business plans, financial forecasts, franchise agreements. It was a lot, but each step brought us closer.

The next few months were all about setup. We invested in the mobile unit (which Frios calls the “Sweet Ride”), worked with them to brand it, and stocked it up with their colorful, handmade pops. The kids got involved too as they helped with taste-testing flavors, and learning how the business works. It became a family project, not just a business.

We also scouted neighborhoods, parks, schools, and local events in our area of Texas where we could bring our Sweet Ride and start building a customer base. I practiced the routes, fine-tuned the logistics, and made sure we had a system in place for everything from inventory tracking to social media marketing.

Finally, the day came to launch. We parked the Sweet Ride at a local school event, opened the window, and served our first popsicle. That moment, seeing kids’ faces light up, hearing laughter, and enjoying the popsicles that’s when I knew we had made the right decision.

Starting this business wasn’t just about selling Frios popsicles. It was about crafting a lifestyle that gave us flexibility, joy, and a way to teach our children about hard work, creativity, and the value of money. It’s been a wild ride from Toronto to Texas, but every step has been worth it.

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.

Hi! I’m so glad to share a little bit about myself and the journey that led me to Frios Gourmet Pops. My name is Priyadarshini Kumar, and I’m an entrepreneur with a heart for family, community, and bringing joy to others especially through sweet treats!

Before launching our Frios mobile popsicle business in Texas, I was a business owner in Canada for many years. I ran Priya Boutique, a fashion boutique in Toronto that specialized in elegant South Asian attire. That experience taught me so much about entrepreneurship from managing inventory and customer service to marketing and building loyal relationships. Most importantly, it gave me a deep appreciation for the power of genuine human connection. I loved interacting with my clients, understanding their needs, and helping them feel beautiful and confident.

That same spirit is what I bring to Frios Gourmet Pops. Frios is more than just a popsicle, it’s a moment of joy, a smile on a child’s face, and a fun way to bring people together. Our “Sweet Ride” (a fully branded mobile unit) allows us to serve delicious, colorful, and handcrafted gourmet popsicles at corporate events, schools, parties, and community gatherings. We’re not just selling dessert, we’re creating happy moments.

What sets us apart?

My friendly, approachable nature means I love talking to customers, learning their favorite flavors, and making every interaction feel personal.

My strong communication skills, honed through years of boutique experience, help me build trust, whether it’s working with event organizers, customers, or local businesses.

I truly have a heart for service. I love helping people, and through Frios, I’ve found a way to brighten someone’s day in the simplest yet sweetest way.

This is a family-run business as our kids are involved too! We’re teaching them the value of hard work, money, and what it means to be part of a community.

We offer a wide variety of gourmet popsicles, including fruity, creamy, and even indulgent options like blue berry cheesecake, key lime pie, cold brew and birthday cake. We also carry Frios protein plus pops which contains 17gms of protein that are targeted towards health conscious people, athletes, seniors etc. And also we carry Pup pops – yummy dog popsicles for your furry pets They’re made with quality ingredients, and there’s something for everyone including vegan, diary free, and allergen-friendly choices.

What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come from running an online boutique in Toronto to launching a family business in Texas. It’s been a bold move, but every step has been filled with purpose. We’ve been able to blend business with lifestyle, family with entrepreneurship, and dessert with delight.

To anyone thinking of working with us, whether you’re booking us for your next party, school event, or festival, I want you to know: when you choose us, you’re supporting a local, Women-owned business that truly cares. We’re here to serve, to smile, and to spread sweetness—one pop at a time.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most defining pivots in my life came in 2013, when I made the decision to step away from my career as a Social Media Marketing Manager. At the time, I had just welcomed my second child, and I knew in my heart that I wanted to be fully present for my two young boys. It was a tough decision, stepping away from a growing career but it felt right for our family.

But just because I paused my career didn’t mean I paused my dreams. In fact, that’s when I truly embraced entrepreneurship. I started Priya Boutique, an online boutique that allowed me to combine my love for fashion, culture, and creativity while working from home and being there for my kids. Running Priya Boutique taught me so much about running a business like managing customers, marketing online, building a brand from scratch, and staying resilient through all the ups and downs.

Years passed, and as our family grew, so did our ambitions. We began to dream bigger of new opportunities, a new environment, and a fresh start. That led to one of the biggest pivots of our lives: applying for an E2 visa and making the courageous decision to move from Toronto, Canada to Texas, US.

It was a leap of faith, but one fueled by purpose. I wanted to continue being there for my family while also growing as a businesswoman. That’s when we discovered Frios Gourmet Pops, a mobile popsicle business that aligned perfectly with our goals – fun, flexible, family-friendly, and community-driven. I saw it not just as a business, but as a new way to connect with people, bring smiles to their faces, and involve my kids in something meaningful.

From being a full-time mom to running a boutique, and now launching and growing a gourmet popsicle business in a new country. My journey has been anything but linear. But every pivot, every change, has shaped me into who I am today: a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, and someone who believes deeply in adapting, growing, and leading with heart.

Looking back, I’m proud of each of those decisions. They weren’t always easy, but they’ve brought me here to a place where I can balance passion, purpose, and family, while building something that brings joy to others.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Funding our business was one of the most challenging but defining parts of our journey. Since we were moving to the U.S. under the E2 visa, one of the requirements was that the business had to be funded with our own personal investment as loans weren’t an option at that stage. That meant we had to rely entirely on our savings.

We used everything we had saved in our TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) in Canada, and some of it had been invested in stocks, which we liquidated to put toward the business. It was a big decision and a significant financial risk, but we believed in the dream we were building for our family, our future, and a new life in the U.S.

Because of this, we knew we had to be very strategic. We didn’t have the luxury of a large budget or access to big funding. So, we worked closely with a franchise consultant, Nicole Kauffman, who was absolutely wonderful. She took the time to understand our financial situation, our goals, and our interests. We wanted a business that was affordable, easy to manage, family-friendly, and flexible. It was something that would allow us to grow steadily while still being present for our kids.

That’s how we discovered Frios Gourmet Pops. It was the perfect fit not only in terms of investment level but also in lifestyle. It was a business we could manage as a family, something that aligned with our passion for desserts, and most importantly, it met the E2 visa requirements.

Looking back, it wasn’t just about finding the money, it was about being resourceful, focused, and willing to start small but dream big. We’re proud that we took that leap, used what we had, and built something joyful from it. Always go for your dreams and dream bigger and you can achieve it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://friospops.com/farmersbranch
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friosfarmersbranch
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friosfarmersbranch
• Other: Frios Gourmet Pops (Farmers Branch) – 945-358-3589

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