Meet Tootie Harris | Flip Specialist

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

Hi Tootie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was being there for my kids and family.I figured if I could give my all to someone else’s dream why not give that same time and effort at starting up a business of my own.My main priority was being there when we needed too for our children.I’m big on family and some jobs unfortunately don’t have the ability to give you every request off that you put in.My thoughts were just having more time with my kids while still doing what I love to do at the same time. 

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m tootie and My husband and I started Papa G’ Freeze shop in 2020.We started off as being what we call a “Candy lady”A candy lady is a neighborhood house where kids even adults come to get all the snacks you can think of.While selling snacks it was something about our Frozen Cups”Flips” as we call them in Orlando,Fl.The lines around our house started to get longer and longer to the point the neighbors started to wonder what was going on on the 3rd floor of our apartment.We started to take our frozen cups to different Pop up shops in our city because the traffic was too much for our House.Shortly after My husband and I had to think fast because our business had taken off.We decided that a food trailer was the perfect option for us.We went to my parents with the idea and they sponsored our trailer.While in the process of the finishing touches I lost my hero.My father “Papa G”He loved our products.Along with my husband they would set up each and every event.If you saw us he was right there setting up and praying over each event that it be a success.We then knew that we had to dedicate the business to him and Name it Papa G’s Freeze Shop.Their is also a picture of him on the front of the trailer wrapped into it.Although he did not get to see the finished product I know that he is smiling down on us.We provide all types of flavors and options for our family”Customers”.We have Some for our babies and we also have larger sizes for the Adult flip lovers.Although Our products are sweet we had a request to do a Low sugar option for diabetics.We got into our creative mode and made something for Not so sweet lovers. Our desire is for everyone to have a chance to try Papa G’s Freeze Shop.Our texture of our frozen cups sets us apart.We took a childhood favorite and put our own spin on it.While some flips you have to flip over you can actually eat ours from the top if you’d like.Recently in May 2023 A World known Food critic Keith Lee came to visit our Food truck.He gave us a very High Rating.After his review of our treats our business Sky Rocketed.We we’re busy before with our locals but once he came and put his review all over social media we got super busy and had People from all over wanting to come try Papa G’s.We want everyone to know that you will always come to Papa G’s freeze Shop and get great customer service.We try to treat everyone that walks up to our window like family and make everyone feel welcome.Even when we are slammed we make it our business to greet everyone with a smile.We can’t wait to see you’ll one day and give you a nice sweet treat to cool you down.

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?
First we would start off Sunday with Church then we would find the best seafood or wing spot in the city.After that we could go to twistee treat for some good ole Ice cream.I don’t drink so my type of hanging out is being at home watching lifetime or a good series on Netflix and eating pizza on the couch.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely Shania Manning.She is the reason we started being a Candy lady in the first Place she is amazing.

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Image Credits
Photographer Aniyah Ross