We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Chandler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from a lot of places! I have always loved my community, no matter where I lived- which has been a big part of who I am. I grew up overseas (The UK, U.A.E., Qatar and Philippines) for 10 years and lived in a small town in Connecticut for 5 years, and then graduated high school from Clear Lake – right next door to Friendswood. After moving a few times as an adult, I found I was seeking something for our family that I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t until we moved to Friendswood that I realized community is what I was desiring. I had always lived in a small community, where you see people you know – at the store, on your sports teams, at church, at the park, etc. Hosting events and gatherings has always been what I loved to do, from when I was a kid, to college and every neighborhood we have lived in as adults. I love knowing my neighbors and am so thankful for their friendships. Our shop has a big heart for our community. Every decision we make is made with our community in mind.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have been really excited to partner with other local small businesses. We originally planned to host events and invite small businesses to “pop up” – but the evolution of using their products in our ice cream has been really special. I am thankful to have a platform to support and encourage other businesses and grateful for that their products help us tremendously by reducing prep time so we can focus on making as much ice cream as possible! I have loved getting to know our local business owners and working together to promote our products.

From a business stand point, we were able to get to where we are today by many instrumental factors. Background knowledge, soliciting resources, building a solid team, community partnerships, and the basics of “meeting a need” – have all led us to where we are today. My background is in creative advertising and business- which has been really fun to exercise and do all my favorite things. Finding the Small Business Development Center and having a “coach” to help guide and check in with me through out the entire process – was HUGE. Reaching out to other successful ice cream shop owners across the country, was also instrumental. Their tips, suggestions and answers to my many questions, made the planning and development of our business much more thorough. Another huge factor that enabled us to get to where are are today would be our managers. They jumped in early on and helped with the restoration, and have been wildly dependable – which has been something I am endlessly grateful for. Our community partnerships have happened very naturally and have mainly been responses to other businesses reaching out for collaborations. We have partnered with over 10 local small businesses and look forward to what the future will hold. Another reason we are where we are today has been market research and filling a need in Friendswood. My husband and I have lived in the area for 7 years and had been dreaming up a business plan for 901 since day one. Last summer, my husband thought of adding a small batch ice cream shop. Our community didn’t have a cute little handmade ice cream shop. We hope our business offers a light. We, as a community, can restore old abandoned buildings along our main stretch and make them something special.

Has it been easy? No. Has it been a blast? Yes.

We have overcome many challenges, and are still battling many. From early “growing pains”, to problem solving issues literally set in stone, to figuring out systems that work for us – one thing we can count on is for the challenges to never end. That’s what makes life interesting! After we opened, we quickly realized we would not be able to meet the demand unless we made ice cream through the night. THAT was a huge challenge. We were not sleeping, and taking “night shifts” making ice cream – it was worse than the sleep deprivation with a newborn. We dealt with little sleep for two and a half months before I finally bought our new machine. The new machine has been amazing and we are able to sleep again! The next steps were analyzing things that needed to change and how to best problem solve. Parking has been a challenge and unfortunately is “set in stone”. We developed a sign on our property to direct traffic and have a “parking attendant” to help direct cars. Another challenge and learning curve has been with inventory – figuring out a system to meet our needs by trial and error and analyzing our reports to figure out timing of when we will need to order.

I have learned many lessons through the entire process – I learned that it’s important to constantly reassess and make changes where necessary. I have also learned to trust myself- having an idea that brings so much excitement, that you jump up out of bed in the middle of the night to jot down a note – then, go for it. The possibilities are endless in this world, and we ALL are capable of doing ANYTHING!

If there is one thing about Friendswood Scoop Shop that I would want everyone to know, it would be that we are a place where memories are made. My late Dad would always start the day by saying “What memories are we going to make today?” Our vision when creating our space was to restore the 1926 home to be a place where you felt like you stepped back in time, and made some good old fashioned memories!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I LOVE the zoo and Hermann Park, so if the weather was good – they would be on the agenda. There are so many awesome restaurants in town, but I am a nostalgic girl – so I would likely take them to Katz’s Deli for brunch and Brennan’s for dinner. Both were walking distance from our first house and some of our favorite spots.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout to my incredible husband, Ben. We had been brainstorming for years what we could do with the cute little house on the corner, and he was the one who thought of making it an ice cream shop. I ran with it and had a blast dreaming up all the things. We have a busy household with five kids, so taking this leap together has made figuring out a balance much easier. His constant encouragement, support and faith in our business has been the reason it is what it is today.

Website: https://www.friendswoodscoopshop.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendswoodscoopshop/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1663rjfW4R/?mibextid=wwXlfr

Image Credits
Photo with girls in tutus: Local Friendswood Photographer, Caroline Stubbs, @wildandfree.photos

Photo with staff helping guest behind counter: Local Friendswood Photographer, Paul Pelc @paulpelc_

Photo of shop with snow: Local Friendswood Photographer, Mark Goeman, grstudios.com

Photo of cups on cabinet and staff member making waffle cones: Local Friendswood Photographer, Ivanna Gaston, @silentnoisephotography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.