Meet Philip Harrell | Ice Cream Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Philip Harrell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philip, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
People over everything. Everything driving this world today pushes us further away from each other. Ice cream brings people together better than most things. Most people don’t eat ice cream alone, and if they do it’s just to take a mental break. We generally see families, first dates, date nights, daddy-daughter days, mommy-son days, or some form of people enjoying each other’s company.

What’s even funnier, ice cream is the one thing where everyone can be different and appreciate each others flavor for what it is, their flavor. Mint people only understand mint people. Butter Pecan people are associated with being old. Vanilla people are thought to be plain. Birthday Cake people are just fancy vanilla people who love sprinkles, and Pistachio people are fanatics.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sundae Scoop has the best ice cream in Hampton Roads. We make our ice cream in-house and with input from the community. In just one year of business we’ve created over 100 different flavors and every recipe is unique to us. Cultures communicate through food and we help to tell that story.

Ube is one of our best-selling flavors and is traditionally associated with our local Filipino community.
Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Lemon Cake, Red Velvet, and our Bilberry Pie are traditionally southern.
Spiced Chai, Matcha, and Green Tea allow our tea drinkers to tell their stories.
Pumpkin spice and Tumeric, Maple Bacon, Jolly Rancher, Wedding Cake, Cinnamon Coffee Salted Caramel Butter Pecan, and our Cookies on Cookies are truly unique to our shop. Cookies on Cookies is Oreo, Chocolate Chip cookies, and Cookie butter with vanilla-based ice cream.

Pair these unique flavors with our flavored waffle cones and now you have an ice cream experience that’s not packed with frills to distract you from enjoying your treat. Espresso Waffle cone with Cinnamon Coffee or with Strawberry. Blueberry waffle cone with Lemon Cake or a Red Velvet cone with Red Velvet ice cream. We keep it simple but not basic.

I’m most proud of opening my doors. It’s really hard to start a business. It’s a marathon (shout out to Nippsey) and it’s so easy to quit until you’ve gone too far and can’t. Once you’ve tipped over the quitting stage it’s just like jumping out of a plane. Would you trust yourself to pack your own parachute?

Every challenge was overcome with effort. I tried. I succeeded and then made new goals. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that execution is everything. Plans don’t matter without action. Action with no plan can be expensive but at least you can learn a lesson.

I just want the world to know that anyone is capable of anything. There are no limits on one’s capabilities. Find that one thing you want then go get it.

I’m an only child, of a single mother, born in Compton California. I now make the best ice cream in Virginia Beach.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re going to see King Neptune on the oceanfront on day one. Hitting the beach is a must when you come to Virginia Beach. We’ll hit Number 1 Taco or Ortega’s for Mexican. Probably hit Shorebreaks and Desmonds as well. I’m horrible at itineraries but will always find a good time. We would have to hit Busch Gardens because of how close it is, but honestly, my best friend would probably end up working at the ice cream shop half the time they’re here.

Everyone in my circle knows that I’m about the grind when its time to earn.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has held me down this entire journey. My wife and three kids are the people I need to make proud of who I am as a man.

Books that everyone should read, The Alchemist, The Go-Giver, The 4 Agreements, and The Richest Man in Babylon.

My SBA mentor Tony definitely steered me clear of some huge mistakes.

Shout out to Tobe, Big Krit, and JCole. Their music kept me motivated while building out my store.
“If I’m betting on myself then I completely double down” – Cole

Website: https://www.sundaescoopva.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundaescoopva/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sundaescoopva

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sundae-scoop-virginia-beach

Image Credits
Erica Valentine, Grinda Fleshman