Today we’d like to introduce you to Tru Vegan Creamery. They and their team share their story with us below:
Melody Snyder is a physician assistant in Atlanta, Ga. She is also a mom, wife, and team management and real estate specialist. She started her medical career in Macon, Ga, and relocated to Atlanta. After over 10 years of experience in medicine, she decided to expand her portfolio to include real estate. She currently owns multiple rental properties in Georgia with plans to expand to Florida.
Allison Clebert is a Chief Financial Officer of Tampa Park Apartments, Inc., mom, wife, entrepreneur, and avid philanthropist. She serves on the board of The Links, Inc. Tampa Chapter, is a member of the Tampa Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and works diligently as a class representative for the parents association at her children’s school.
Tenisha Patterson Brown, Esq. is a business and legal consultant, mom, wife, entrepreneur, restauranteur, author, and infertility advocate. She co-owns a franchise restaurant in Charlotte, NC, and serves as CEO of her consulting firm Definitive Sports Group. She specializes in the legal and business relations of professional athletes and women business owners. She has co-authored two books, “100 Ways to Stay Married” and “Faith, Friendship, and Fertility.”
Melody, Allison, and Tenisha have been best friends for over 20 years and have shared both the highs and lows of life with one another. Understanding the value of sisterhood and having a strong village, the three are guided by faith, love, and positive energy. Although they are successful individually, their goal is to thrive together, and reach back and help other women along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It took five (5) years for Tru Vegan Creamery to come to fruition. From concept to opening the doors, a lot happened that contributed to the slow progression of the store opening. Life happened including babies, new marriages, new careers, and relocations.
Major events, that quite frankly took precedence over launching this brand, pushed the opening to 2022 but we recognized that this time was in fact the right time. Those obstacles and priority shifts gave us the time necessary to perfect our brand. To study the market and to launch a vegan brand when the world is more conscious of what we consume.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tru Vegan Creamery. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
In 2017, our Founders, Allison Clebert, Melody Owens, and Tenisha Patterson Brown, Esq., wanted dairy-free ice cream but had nowhere to go. There were tons of options for traditional ice cream, but the trio wondered why big brands were ignoring a huge customer base. An estimated 9.7 million Americans identify as vegan, and 30-50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. So, their love for ice cream, vegan lifestyles, and entrepreneurial spirit collided to create Tru Vegan Creamery.
As moms, wives, and businesswomen, our founders spent years creating a brand that not only satisfies their craving, but that serves as a catalyst for future women entrepreneurs. Motivated by their daughters and over 20 years of friendship, our Founders are determined to catapult Tru Vegan into a national brand.
Our first location is in the heart of their hometown, the beautiful Tampa Bay, FL in the historically black neighborhood of Tampa Park.
From traditional scoops to our innovative Lux Slushes, we are the go-to spot for dairy-free frozen desserts on the go.
Tru Vegan is truly a labor of love!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, we were always the leaders and super involved. In high school, we were either the president or vice president of all of the major organizations including student government. We were and continue to be high achievers which are accredited to our parents and grandparents. They saw greatness in us and refused to allow us to waste it.
Academically we were in the International Baccalaureate Program and graduated with high honors. Although academics was the highest priority, we were still well-rounded students. From volunteering to working part-time jobs, we were sponges absorbing as much life experience as possible.
The biggest aspect of our lives was service. We were taught at a young age that a major role in our lives is to serve those in need. Whether we fed the unhoused or just reached back and pulled up a classmate, our goal was to be a shining light in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: truvegancreamery.com
- Instagram: @truvegancreamery
- Facebook: @truvegancreamery
Image Credits
Archie Taylor
