Meet Lisa from Kamm's Corners Ice Cream Co - The Cleveland Moms

Cleveland West Side Moms’ next Meet-A-Mom is Lisa from the amazing Kamm’s Corners Ice Cream Co.

Hi, Lisa – so where are you originally from and how long have you lived in town?  Tell us a little about your family. 

I was born in Valparaiso Indiana & lived there until the age of 11, returning to New Philadelphia, Ohio, which is approximately 90 miles south of Cleveland.  My parents are originally from Canton so that is why we moved back to Ohio. I moved to the Cleveland East suburbs in the early 90s and then flipped to the West suburbs where I have remained for 27 years. Since being a Westsider I have lived in Westlake (7) years and Avon (20) years.  In 2020 I purchased and refurbished a house in the West Park/Kamms Corners area. I moved into the house October of last year and I LOVE being in the Cleveland neighborhood.

I am the proud mother of two beautiful daughters and the best dog in town! My eldest Tia is 31 and just married the love of her life Bryan in October of 2019. My youngest Paige is 17 and will be graduating from Avon High School the end of May.  She will become a Bobcat at OU in the fall. My furry child Choo Chi is a toy poodle and just turned 10.       

What are your favorite things to do with your family? 

As the girls have gotten older it is harder to get together with everyone’s schedule. We always plan time for game nights, home cooked dinners, watch sports, and movie nights. With Covid we kept our bubble to just us as a small group spending quality time together. We did a road trip a couple of years ago and we loved it! We are planning a 2-week cross country road trip out West later in the year. 

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? 

I have a full-time day job in addition to the ice cream shop. I am a property manager managing commercial office buildings and retail shopping centers. I also act as general contractor for Landlord managing all of our construction projects. I have been with my current company for 25 years. 

Wow! That’s amazing  – how do you manage your schedule between your full-time job & the ice cream shop?

The first couple of years of owning the ice cream shop I’m not going to lie it was brutal! Working a full time job, learning how to own and run your own business as I worked in the business was very difficult. I was very fortunate with my younger daughter learning the business with me from the beginning inside and out. She was right by my side learning as we go which I think made it easier to put in all of those hours away from home. The last 2 years my load has been lightened as my older daughter has moved home from Chicago taking over as the ice cream shop manager. It has turned into a family affair! With the support my kids give me I am now able to work on the business.

What are some of your favorite things about NE Ohio? 

There are so many things to love about NE Ohio! Love those Cleveland Browns, Indians and can’t forget the CAVS. We love going to concerts downtown at Rocket Mortgage Field House and Nautica. Hopefully we will be able to start doing that again sooner than later. We enjoy the Westside Market and the beautiful Metroparks. We really enjoyed the Lakewood Solstice steps last year. 

Please tell us about Kamm’s Corners Ice Cream!  Why/When did you start it and how did you know this is what you wanted to do?

The owners of Kamms Plaza Shopping Center (who I work for at my day job) believe in giving back to the community which allowed me to create a BIG connection and bond to the West Park/Kamms Corners neighborhood. I had the thought/idea to open Kamm’s Corners Ice Cream Co. on New Year’s Day 2017 and on January 2nd I put my thoughts into motion to make it happen. Just a short 6 months later the ice cream shop was opened for business and we were “Scooping Happiness to Life.” I was at the point in my life that it was time to start thinking about my future and what that might be for me. With me managing Kamms Plaza for all these years and my love for the community it made since for me to put down my roots for my future there.

How has your community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?

My reason for opening the shop was to have a happy place for the community and that is exactly what it is! Having great support from the local development corporation, councilman and all the local business owners has been over the top. The support of the families, friends, kids, all the customers that come into the shop has been overwhelming. From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every person that walks through my door on a daily basis.     

Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start their own business? 

I never question myself if I can do something.  As we tell our children you can do anything and everything that you put your mind too. The idea of starting my own business… sure I can do that, when in reality I am learning as I go. Don’t let fear hold you back. My advice with a new business is you don’t have to jump straight into a brick-and-mortar location there are so many places out there to help in your start up. I am in love with The Colab boutique in Lakewood where you can rent the space to schedule meetings, a remote workplace with a great atmosphere. If your business is food related there is the Central Kitchen Cleveland which is a shared kitchen and food business incubator. They can help you in every aspect of starting your new business.       

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment is my girls! They make me proud in so many ways. The girls continue to amaze me every day! They have grown into beautiful, thoughtful, caring, loving, giving, hardworking women. I always say they are a better version of me! I am so excited to see what their futures hold for them.         

Anything you would have changed or done differently with your business thus far?

I dove in head first and I wouldn’t have changed anything. Every day/year will continue to be a learning experience as I try to grow the business.   

How do you juggle being a working mom?

My top job/priority is always to be a mom first. I have been very fortunate over the years that the company I work for believes in family first as well. I have always been the type that gives my all to every aspect of my life so juggling home life and work life has worked out pretty easy for me. It will be interesting to see how the juggling act changes with me going to be an empty nester in the fall.        

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

I hope to be at the ice cream shop more on a full-time basis and of course I see myself as a grandma!    

Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?

Growing up we had 5 kids in our family and my mother did such a wonderful job raising us. I believe I learned from the best. I am so thankful for the love and support she always offers to me and the girls.    

For more information on Kamm’s Corners Ice Cream Co, visit: https://www.kammscornersicecream.com/

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