Small Business Development Center & Crème Ice Cream Co. Go All In on Sweet Treats

Owner Nicholas Mendoza's Crème Ice Cream Company, locally owned and family-operated, features hand-crafted, high quality small-batch ice creams, ices and infused ice creams, along with non-dairy and vegan options.

Crème opened earlier this summer offering flavors like Ecuadorian chocolate, saffron pistachio, matcha, coconut chaos and rose chai raspberry chip, among others. If you cannot decide, you can try Crème's six scoop ice cream flight.

Crème, located in a former pizza parlor on College Avenue in Fayetteville, has been transformed into a parlor with a distinctly different vibe. Starting with the pink glow infused from transparencies on the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, the shop offers abundant seating and an interactive children's play area.

A member of the Navajo tribe, as a child Mendoza was drawn to the cooking and manufacturing shows presented on PBS: Public Broadcasting System. It sparked his interest in exotic and flavorful foods. Starting as a dishwasher at Maynard's Market & Kitchen, a French bistro in Tucson, he was mentored by the executive chef. Progressing to take on the responsibilities of a pastry chef, Mendoza's passion for "everything sugar" grew.

Though he had attempted various entrepreneurial projects and even created a leather goods business at age 21, Mendoza held a lofty goal of creating the "greatest ice cream in the universe." Knowing he would need expert help to achieve success, he was directed to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A by small business owners in the city and recommendations posted on a Google search.

Connecting with ASBTDC business and marketing consultant Lori Lieblong, Mendoza crafted a business plan, reviewed extensive market research and developed his market and brand strategy. Lieblong also referred Mendoza to FORGE, the Community Loan Fund that links investors with borrowers.

"The market research I received about the city is what stood out to me the most," Mendoza said. "Analyzing the data and developing our target market helped me gain more awareness towards whether or not my business could thrive - priceless information."

He also attended various trainings and webinars offered by the Center.

"I took almost every free course that was offered; from business finance to Google Analytics," Mendoza said. "Those courses are filled with incredible information and are available every month. There's not one aspect of starting a business that the ASBTDC can't help you with."

Mendoza offers beginner steps to other entrepreneurs starting from scratch:

• Ask as many questions as possible and dedicate your time to working with as many people as you can.
• Complete one step at a time and don't take days off!
• Your business should encompass every talent and hobby you have.
• Know that you are going to spend more than you originally budget.
• Start your permit and licensing process as early as you can.

"ASBTDC helped me actualize my ideas and vision. I was able to get organized and see the business from a realistic point of view,"  Mendoza said. "I started the whole business with nothing other than an organized, well-thought-out plan and the resources I've received from the ASBTDC."

About the ASBTDC: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A helps small business In Northwest Arkansas thrive. With offices in Fayetteville and Bentonville, ASBTDC consultants provide one-on-one confidential consulting at no cost to the client and in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and skill to be successful. The ASBTDC at the U of A is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a unit of the Division of Economic Development, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.