Woman. Daughter. Sister. Mother. Wife. Friend. Teacher. Community Builder. Runner. Ice Cream Extraordinaire. Owner of Miss Mindy's Ice Cream Shop.

Meet Our Next Feature: Mindy.

After thirteen years of being an elementary school teacher. Mindy found herself at a cross roads. It wasn't that she didn't like being a teacher, it just felt like her life was going down a safe route. She felt like she had made decisions based off of what she thought she should be doing, not what she wanted to be doing. She felt like she had limited herself. If she left teaching, she knew it would be a risky decision. It was never something she planned or expected to do. All she knew is she had to take a chance on herself, her happiness, and what would make her life feel more fulfilling. So, she left, and never looked back.

Mindy grew up in Bayville. Her dad was a local builder and her mom a secretary for the company. When Mindy was a young girl she found her mom's job fascinating and wanted to grow up to be just like her. She also loved the idea of being an actress in the movies. Mindy attended Central Regional High School, and even back then had ice cream on her mind. In graphic arts class she made her own menu of what she called "Lickity Splits." She also was named High School Class Community Volunteer, because even back then she had a way of bringing people together. After graduating in 1998, she went to Ocean County College, where she met her husband. They fell in love, got married, built the foundation for their marriage together, and eventually started a family. She graduated OCC and went on to TCNJ, where she earned her degree for teaching. Shortly after she landed her first job, and stayed in the field for thirteen years until she couldn't ignore this nagging feeling in the back of her mind that there was something else out there for her.

When she finally made the decision to leave, she took a year off and got a job in a power sports warehouse in Bayville. One day she found out that the former Sprinkle Shack hit the market for sale, and she was immediately interested. Ice cream had been something very special to Mindy. Her father adored ice cream, and it was time spent together that brought comfort and joy. She bought an ice cream machine and started making recipes in her garage. Pretty soon, she got the hang of it. Then she decided to take the leap, and purchased the Sprinkle Shack. With her family in her corner with support and encouragement, pretty soon, the business was a thriving success.

Everyday as an ice cream shop owner is different, and that's what Mindy loves about it. In her former career, she didn't have much time for herself, or for meeting new people. Now she can set her own schedule, and is constantly talking to new people who come into the shop. She can take time off to attend her daughter's sports games, and head to the shop at midnight after everyone else is asleep to get done what she needs to get done. Her job offers her something we all crave: freedom. Freedom to be creative and make new and interesting flavors. Freedom to work when she needs to, freedom to meet new people. Freedom to be herself. Freedom to create community. That's her favorite part of the shop, the community. She loves the bond families share over ice cream, and the different forms of relationships people have when they enter her shop. She loves to talk to them, but also watch the joy they share together in the space she has created. She also still teaches in ways, which is fulfilling for her. Through her employees she fulfills that teacher side of herself. Not just the work they do together in the store, but in the conversations they have and the life skills and advice she is able to share with them.

Miss Mindy's Ice Cream Shop is innovative and inclusive. There are all variations of any kind of flavor you can imagine, like Lavender Honey and Coffee Peanut Butter Oreo. They accommodate all sorts of dietary needs and offer gluten free and vegan options, and have fresh macarons from New York City available in weekly flavors. The shop hosts all sorts of interesting events like Midnight Silent Disco, where you can go get ice cream at midnight and jam out under the stars with your friends. There are board games available there to play for families and a big stack of kids books available to share together. They are also apart of the ice cream tour of New Jersey. Miss Mindy's is something special and different. It isn't just an ice cream shop, but a retreat from the mundane. A place of comfort and community. When you can't find Mindy in the shop, you can find her running. She has done many different races, including 5K's, half marathons, marathons and triathlons. She has even got to Base Camp at Mount Everest. I am also happy to report the actress vision is in fruition. She was an extra recently in Happy Gilmore 2, and keeps an eye out for other ventures shooting nearby.

Mindy took a chance on her own happiness, and tries to spread that love with others. She loves meeting other women and sharing stories together, because it makes her realize that there are so many possibilities in the world that we didn't even know were an option. If someone else can do it, it makes us realize that we can too. Mindy believes that if we believe in ourselves, anything is possible and sky is the limit.

The Interview

What are you passionate about?

Talking with people, always learning and being curious.

What accomplishments are you proud of?

Starting my own business out of a love of ice cream and feeling we could add a special place to the community.

What are the greatest challenges you have faced?

Learning new skills each day as I have gone from day 1 to year 8! Managing family, work, hobbies.

Looking back on your life, what are one or two events that were monumental and changed your life? 

Going to Everest Base Camp in Nepal - seeing such a different culture and a beautiful country while challenging myself.  Changing careers from teaching to entrepreneurship - total life change for myself and family, but all good. I would never have been able to do it without the help and support of my parents, husband, daughters and friends!

What does the word feminism mean to you?

Recognizing that women are viewed and treated differently than men and we need to make it a level playing field on paper and in our minds.

Who has been the most influential woman in your life?

My mom has shown me so many ways to be a strong woman. As a child you see your mom just doing it all and not thinking about it. Now that I am the adult with daughters of my own, I can better understand all that she did and does on a daily basis. She has also given me motivation to keep going and know that no matter my age I am capable of great things.

What do you wish you knew when you were younger?

I wish I knew that  pretty much everything is possible if you want it enough. There is no perfect person for a position, sport, or role. You can be that person!

What message do you want to send the next generation of women? 

Don’t let other people influence you if it is not to build you up! In a world of influencers, be yourself! No one has all of the answers, go find out things for yourself.

Why is Women’s History Month important to you? 

It opens our eyes to women that we may not have not heard of that were instrumental in so many ways. It lets us know that there are so many possibilities if we keep our eyes open!

How can women empower themselves and others?

Learn! Be curious and know that anything is possible and when you get a roadblock, who cares, Keep Going!

Thank You For Reading!

I hope that you feel inspired by Mindy to believe in yourself and listen to your intuition! The world is your oyster, and if you believe in yourself, you can make ANYTHING happen. You can find Miss Mindy's on Instagram and Facebook. Check in for monthly flavors and treats! Stay tuned for our next feature!