Rising Stars: Meet Elisa McLean

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa McLean.

Hi Elisa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a single mom of three young men. We lived in Southport, NC, where Ice Cream was always a part of our lives. There was a little ice cream shop in Southport that we would go to for ice cream or drive over to Oak Island Dairy Queen for a cup of Ice Cream. I have always wanted to start an ice cream shop. I use to talk to my best friend about one day opening a shop and he would always encourage me. But I believe nothing happens before its time. In 2014, I was scheduled for emergency surgery to remove a tumor. If the tumor was not removed, it could of been fatal. In these tough situations, you know who your friends are. After a full year of intense therapy, I recovered! We have had many ups and downs but we always stuck together. My children are and partners are my real ride or dies. Ice cream just makes it better.

In fact, that the tag phrase for the shop “Flavors Makes It Better!!” My children are all grown up now and I am an empty nester. I have since moved to Cary to make a life here. In 2020 my partner and I talked about opening a shop and I just took of with the idea. I started the search for a place in April of 2020, found a place but it was not mean to be as it did not work out. I was a bit discouraged but I kept on searching and came across this little place in Swift Creek, Raleigh, NC. I reached out to the Landlord and everything just fell into place. We started construction in October 2020 and Opened the doors in Jan 2020. God have always been faithful to me my entire life and so through all of my ups and downs, Valleys and pitfalls I have always held on the stead hand of God. When everyone thought it was crazy to open a shop in the middle of a pandemic, God said will you trust me? I had a dream of the colors, the logo, I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like. I had a dream and a vision. With hard work and faith, it is now a reality. The shop has since then been viral on Tiktok, Facebook and Instagram and we are doing very well. When we first opened the door, I had two employees and one blender, I now have seven employees and five blenders, LOL. I give God all the glory because I know this is all Him and none of me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely have not been an easy road. The first place I found was perfect. I started working with the realtor and sending in all the paperwork need etc. Only find out at the end that I did not qualify for the place because we needed more assets. I was very discouraged but I kept on pushing. A few weeks after, I came across where we are now and everything just fell into place. When we started construction, I knew what my budget was and it was not a big budget at all. I got quotes from different contractors and negotiated with them. I hired my contractor who said that he could have the job done in two weeks. That two week turned into three months. I had to ask him to finish up when he was out. I still had to get other people to come in to finish up after him and clean up. There were many nights of tears and days of frustration but I kept on praying and believing in the vision and dream and I kept pushing. Even when no one understood and everyone had their opinions, I still kept pushing.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My professional career started when in 1998 when I was hired as a Collection Clerk for a law firm in New York, World Trade Center, Tower 1 Sidney Austin Brown and Wood. You may recognize the name of the firm. It the same firm the Obama’s worked for in Chicago. I worked as a Collection Clerk for about two years and then was promoted to Accounting Specialist, where I reviewed and entered billables time for the attorneys. I lived through the bombing of the World Trade Center in 9/11. I relocated to Rochester in 2003 and worked for Delta Airlines for two years as a gate agent. At which time I was the only crossed trained female meaning I could work the counter, Gate and on the tarmac and also deice a plane if needed too. Seeking to make a bit more money and was able to land a job at another law firm in 2005 with Hiscock and Barclay LLP as the only Account Receivable Specialist in this office. I relocated to Southport, NC in 2007 and working in the hospitality department for Bald Head Island where I wore many hats and learned a lot. I check in visitors for their stay. I helped with startup of the UPS store on the Island, I worked with the island art shop and also worked at the Island spa as an assistant manager. In 2011, my tenure with the island came to an end and started working for Brunswick community college as Program Coordinator of Accounting and Donor specialist. Where I learned to work with Donors, conduct special fundraising events, etc. I was promoted as Financial Aid Specialist in 2013 and have been doing Financial Aid ever since. I just recently resigned from my 9-5 so I can be on site at Flavors Ice Cream and work for myself.

In the midst of all of this, I was able to find the time to write two books “Living Life the Way God Intended” and Hallelujah, I Am Worthy. I published my books with a Christian bookstore in (Tate Christian Publishing) which was shot down because of bad business and I have not been able to get my books back in stores.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I absolutely love people and will do anything to make people smile and feel special.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flavorsicecream.net
• Instagram: flavorsicecream_cary
• Facebook: @flavorsmakesitbetter

Image Credits
Elisa McLean Eronger Kornegay