12/16/2004 - Little Scoops

When, in 2002, Michelle Violetto and Tanya Ehrlich first opened their ice cream party shop in Blauvelt, NY, little did they think that two years later, having surpassed their wildest expectations, they would be scouting a second store in Westchester County, and begin selling franchises across the nation.

Certainly their backgrounds provided no inkling of this path in their careers. Ms. Violet to worked for major advertising companies, had a stint as an elementary school teacher, and later served as a talent manager. Ms. Ehrlich worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry, then switched careers, working as a Vice President for The Bank of NY, and later ran an Abstract company.

But Michelle had this idea running around in her head for some time. She imagined a place where children could hold parties with an old fashioned flavor. Where kids could make their own ice cream creations in a kid-sized parlor. A librarian at Tappan Library, knowing about SCORE, encouraged her to get professional guidance and mentoring. Michelle reflects, "The advice I received from the SCORE Counselors was invaluable.

Our SCORE Counselors highlighted the significant aspects of the business I needed to address, such as developing a solid Business Plan, help in evaluating locations, defining the intricacies of the finances necessary for success, in other words, all my options".

At this point Tanya, eager with Michelle to control their own destinies, joined the Little Scoops team, and has been the financial manager ever since. They found their location at 135 East Erie Street in Blauvelt, and soon Little Scoops was tasting sweet success. In their first two years of operation they have hosted over 1800 parties, and the future seems unlimited.

SCORE salutes these two successful women entrepreneurs!