Meet Theresa Bostic: Theresa Bostic/Co-Founder Kayla’s Italian Ice

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

Hi Theresa, how do you think about risk?
Born and raised in Queens, New York taking risk was natural to me. I started several businesses over the years and some of the outcomes have been good and bad but playing it safe, has never elevated me at all. My children have watched me maintained our household bills but always had side money to try something new. So when my youngest daughter Kayla Annalicia Brooks inquired about starting a business, I was delighted to entertain her idea.

I never put expectations on my children. I have allowed them to curate and develop their own talents, career and ideas over time. I indulge myself in each of their projects whether they succeed or fail.

This concept has allowed my youngest daughter, Kayla Annalicia Brooks founder of Kayla’s Italian Ice, to establish her business in 2018 at the age of 10 years old. Together we used our resources of my prior business relationships and her current knowledge of social media platforms to curate a wonderful brand for her current business venture.

This family-owned company has been enjoyed by local communities here in the Atlanta area to Fortune 100 companies. Kayla’s Italian Ice products are gluten free, dairy free and soy free.

When you cultivate an environment of growth within your children. As a parent we lead until we feel it’s okay to follow. Here I allowed Kayla to lead her idea with guidance as I follow her concept in making this dream career of entrepreneurship a success. As a family, we each take our experience and knowledge to provide a premium product with consistent service for each and every customer. Kayla’s Italian Ice has been a risk worth taking to make another dream come true.

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?
Kayla’s Italian Ice is built on a legacy of a premium quality frozen dessert and consistent service that is inspired by New York’s historic Italian neighborhood pizza shops and delis’ that were the central hub for many communities. Customers know and trust our brand!

That has bred loyalty amongst individuals, fortune 50 to 100 companies. We took a neighborhood Italian Ice and twisted into a gourmet treat that many people with dietary restrictions can enjoy. Kayla’s Italian Ice is gluten free, dairy free, soy free and made with real cane sugar.

Was it easy? Absolutely not! Were we up for the challenge? Yes!

My educational background in Human Resources and Project Management helped my daughter and I navigate through her school schedule and my full time job. Before Kayla’s Italian Ice I had previously established business credit so it was no real problem getting capital to initially fund this project. Our goal was to pay back the money we invested in our first year. We were able to accomplish that through festivals, parties and private events.

We have learned that there is no challenge that can keep us down if we provide the right solutions along the way. Mistakes will happen our goal is to learn from them along the journey and do better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To start a good week in my city everyone would have to have a taste test experience with Kayla’s Italian Ice. Sample size love of all of our frozen desserts your heart can desire.

Lets get dressed for a Porsche Experience dining at the 365 restaurant while watching the Porsche cars race on the track from the beautiful bay windows.

Don’t eat to much because next up is Apt 4B for some Caribbean upscale cuisine.

Lets not stop there! A casual cocktail at The Regis Hotel is a great way to relax before a night on the town.

Hop into a Uber and lets check out the Atlanta Ferris Wheel where we can see the entire city with one view at the top and take pictures. Take off your heels and bust out your flats for the BQE expressway restaurant. Dine out back under a tent with the best Chicken and Red Velvet waffle experience.

If your kids are with you don’t worry we have some fun filled places for them too. Boys and girls can enjoy the college hall of fame, Main Event bowling, rock climbing, pool tables and more. Not to far from there is the Battle. A strip long street of fun games, and restaurants. If your stomach can handle it! I fly is right across the street.

When the trip is almost over enjoy a day at Celeste Spa off of Cascade road for relaxations, aroma therapy for all your treatment needs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents who were immigrants that came to this country from the Caribbean to provide a better life for me and my brothers and sister deserve the biggest shout out of all. When we were getting started several companies sponsored our brand with customized shirts from “Twisted Tees”, and equipment from” Main Event party rental,” in Douglasville Georgia.

We cannot go without recognizing our family and friends who shared our business advertisements on there personal social media platforms, financial support by purchasing product, and word of mouth contacts for corporate business connections.

Website: https://kaylasitalianice.com/

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

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kaylas-italian-ice-douglasville

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1cQYDwzUv8

Image Credits
Zoie Thomas