Meet Elisa McLean | Small Ice Cream Shop Owner

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

Hi Elisa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My though Process behind starting our business was to create place of love and a friendly atmosphere where people could come and just have good time. Old friends to catch up, families making new memories and making some new friends in the process. All while enjoying a great milkshake or an amazing scoop of ice cream.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career started working in a law firm in the world trade center in New York City doing accounting. I worked there for 7 years and am a survivor of 9/11. I left my position there in 2003 and worked briefly for Delta Airlines, I love this job. I am a people person and I met with all kinds of people from so many different places and countries. I eventually left NY altogether in 2007 and headed for NC. I worked for Bald Head Island in various positions such as accounting, hospitality and customer service. Again, working here was good for me as I met many people over the 5 years I work there. I eventually left in 2011 and started working with a community college in Brunswick County. There I worked for the Foundation Office planning events and doing accounting for the office. I was then promoted to the Financial Aid office and my Financial Aid career took off and did Financial Aid up until April of 2021, when I left to oversee my own business. As you can probably see by now is that I have a love for people. I enjoy seeing people happy and I enjoy helping people as well. The Ice cream shop has always been something we talked about doing maybe one day but never really made the step to do it until October of 2020 when we started making steps and strides to manifest what God had placed inside of us. This was not at all as easy step, there were many lessons learned along the way, but you take them with strides, you pray, let God lead and keep pushing. You need strong people behind you because there will be days when you don’t think to can do it or that you will make it and these folks will be the ones you have to learn on for encouragement, prayers and support. My journey has not been an easy one like many people. I have been in financial hardships, I have been sick had to endure a 10 surgery to remove a tumor, had to over come a year of extensive therapy, but I am here when the doctors though I was not going to make it. FLAVORS is the brand that makes it better. When you come to Flavors Ice Cream we are here to light up your day, make you laugh or smile and share with you an experience that you will want to experience again and again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being in NC I have folks like my sister and cousin visit all the time. We normally go to Myrtle Beach to hang out on the boardwalk, visit It’s Sugar Candy shop while on the boardwalk, visit the SkyWheel and the Tanger Outlet Mall. We will then have to make a stop in Wilmington, NC as I lived 13 years there and the beaches are great. So, a visit to Oak Island beach, or Wrightsville beach is a must. We will then visit the Mayfair shopping center while there. We are seafood people so one of my spots for seafood would be Cary’s Crab House on Crossroads Blvd. in Cary, NC.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! My first shout out will go to the amazing man God placed by my side through this journey. He know who he is (my Nwantiti). I could not have gotten this far without you and I look forward to what God has in stow for us moving forward. I would also have to give a shout to the top of my voice for my spiritual parents the McCray’s. Pastor McCray has been there every step of the way from the beginning stages of building out the store, as an overseer for the project and Mrs. McCray for her prayers of strength and encouragement and being there for me when I did not think I could move forward. I would also like to thank our 4 children Keston, Elijah, Jordan, Brandon for the encouragement, love and support and for them believing in our dream. And of course I would be remiss if I did not take the time to thank God for all He has done, is doing and I know will continue to do for our business, our family and our lives.

Website: www.flavorsicecream.net

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

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

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