Deliciously Different - Pav's Creamery

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nik Pappas, owner of Pav's Creamery, located in Uniontown, OH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Our story began when Bill and Claire Micochero decided to take a chance on an old ice cream shop in Portage Lakes, Ohio, when Robert “Pav” Pavlik sold it to move south and retire. Back then, Pav’s Creamery was just as well known for their fried chicken as they were for their homemade custard.

When Bill and Claire decided to sell the business to their daughter Michelle, she began focusing on new and delicious types of ice cream. Fast forward 40 years, Pav’s is the place for freshly made custard, homemade hard ice cream, yogurts, and sorbets. All of which are made on-site DAILY with more than 30 delightful flavor options and combinations.

Now with additional locations in Green, North Canton, and Cuyahoga Falls, Pav’s has become known as the must-stop shop for ice cream in North Eastern Ohio. TripAdvisor rated Pav’s Creamery the Number 1 Dining Destination in Akron.

Whether it’s our creative flavors, original recipes, or our unique creations… people love Pav’s. Our customers are mainly women between the ages of 28 to 42.

Tell us about yourself

My grandparents purchased the original Pav's in Portage Lakes back in the '70s. Therefore, some of my earliest memories come from this location. We grew up on ice cream, and years later, my mother (Michelle Micochero) purchased the Portage Lakes location from her parents. It's currently still owned and operated by her.

Prior to my involvement, I was working in the hospitality industry and living abroad in places such as England, Australia, and on a small island in the Seychelles. I got involved in the business in 2012 when I decided to move back to the states and worked towards developing a wholesale division. Ten years later, Pav's products are sold to various restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers over a seven-state region.

In 2015, we opened our second location in Green, Ohio. From there, we went on to open two more locations, all within the Akron Canton area and are set to open our 5th store in Bath Township later this year.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

At this point, I would say staying open is our greatest accomplishment. Not only staying open but staying profitable to boot. So many locally owned businesses have shut down due to COVID. We were able to remain open and had record-breaking sales while doing so.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I find this changes daily. Right now, it's staffing. Trying to not only keep staff safe and healthy but also find new staff members to cater to our growth. It seems like no one wants to work in the Food and Beverage industry anymore. Or, if they do, they want $22 per hour to do so.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Have a good product.
Have financial backing to help sell, promote and grow your business.
Surround yourself with smart people who believe in you, your product, and your direction.

This is the year of the hustler. You can't wait for anything to happen or fall in our lap. You have to go out there and get it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.pavscreamery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavscreamery/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/padow_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nik-pappas-22567917/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.