Cold Stone Creamery.Cold Stone Creamery Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream parlor chain based in Scottsdale, Arizona, United States.[1] History The company was co-founded in 1988 by Susan and Donald Sutherland (unrelated to actor Donald Sutherland), who sought ice cream that was neither hard-packed recently welcomed a new dynamic owner/operator to its growing faro fly of ice cream lovers and passionate entrepreneurs. Meet Myrtle Everette-Stroman, a proud African-American woman and owner of the Cold Stone Creamery located in Hilton Head, SC. Cold Stone Creamery is the fastest-growing ice cream concept in the nation, and about 3,000 potential franchisee applications are received each month. Less than 1% of those applicants are granted a franchise. As with any new endeavor, Myrtle completed her due diligence Research; analysis; your homework. This term has caught on in all industries, because it sounds so "wired." Who would want to do analysis or research when they can do due diligence. See wired. ; there are numerous franchises available and she wanted it to be the perfect fit, both personally and financially. "As far back as I can remember, I have always dreamed of owning my own business. Growing up, I thought I was going to open a soul food business based on my mother's love of cooking. She used to make homemade home·made adj. 1. Made or prepared in the home: homemade pie. 2. Made by oneself. 3. Crudely or simply made. Adj. 1. ice cream and I loved it!" After my best friend suggested I apply for a Cold Stone Creamery franchise, I headed to South Carolina South Carolina, state of the SE United States. It is bordered by North Carolina (N), the Atlantic Ocean (SE), and Georgia (SW). Facts and Figures Area, 31,055 sq mi (80,432 sq km). Pop. (2000) 4,012,012, a 15. (where my daughter was attending college) to experience it first-hand. After a detailed discussion with the existing franchisee, I developed a great relationship with her and she agreed to sell me the rights to a future store in Hilton Head," says Everette-Stroman. "After working in the corporate world for nearly 15 years, it was time to venture into entrepreneurship en·tre·pre·neur n. A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture. [French, from Old French, from entreprendre, to undertake; see enterprise. . The folks at the Creamery creamery: see dairying. were able to walk me through the process of purchasing a Cold Stone every step of the way. Financing was made available through an SBA SBA abbr. Small Business Administration Noun 1. SBA - an independent agency of the United States government that protects the interests of small businesses and ensures that they receive a fair share of government loan and local bank. Luckily, I was able to pay the franchising fee in cash and the remaining was financed to cover the build-out of my store. During this time, I also attended rigorous training at the Creamery. I graduated from Ice Cream University on August 23, 2004, and my Grand Opening event was held in March. I truly believe this is what I was meant to do with my life--own my business, be a valuable addition to my community and provide the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience[TM] to my fellow ice cream lovers." |
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