Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Thomas-Sassone.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After working as a General Manager for facilities including Xtreme Action Park and Dezerland Park, I came to a stage where I wanted to run my own business. My kids were now teens, and I had some freedom and most unusual, I had time. I started by taking daily yoga classes and reconnecting with myself, after years of giving, I needed to take time for myself. I reflected on all of the amazing opportunities I had been given in life, my world travels, healthy children and amazing husband. Within a few months, I was grounded and beyond grateful for everything and everyone who was in my life. From this point, I was able to start looking at my career and what my next plan was going to be. I didn’t want the long hours away from my family that I had for many years. I wanted something that would involve my entire family.
After lots of thought, I came to the conclusion that the one thing we all loved was Ice Cream! I began speaking with my family about Ice Cream ideas and what we could do with our love. We started looking at products, ideas, locations. One day we came across a local business that was for sale. It happened to be one of our local favorites! It was meant to be.
We purchased Razzleberry’s Ice Cream and were fortunate enough to spend weeks being trained by the previous owners who had been there for 17 of the 26 years the business has been on Pompano Beach. We quickly learned that our customers loved the business just the way it was! So that is what we did, we learned from the best and carried on what they had done.
We since have opened one location on 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale and are in the process of opening another location in Victoria Park. All three of our children work in the business with my husband and I. My mother contributes to the decoration with her great artwork.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Luckily, I had a background in General Management and a basic understanding of all of the areas of a business. Going into an environment where the previous owners had worked daily for 17 years and built amazing connections within the community was very challenging. The community did not want change and they were very scared that we were going to ruin the business. It took months to build trust and to ensure our customers that we didn’t want to change the Ice Cream they all love. At the same time, we were trying to make the business scalable. We stayed true to our values, were kind to all and most importantly built trust within the community. We live by the motto, “If you say you are going to do it, do it”.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The success of Razzlberry’s has been a whole family effort. Our Grandparents, parents, siblings and children have all played an active role.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.razzleberrysicecream.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/razzleberrys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Razzleberrys/
- Yelp: Razzleberry’s Homemade Ice Cream
