Big Ole Scoop Buildout
Donation protected
Introducing Big Ole Scoop! We are a Black-owned ice cream manufacturer in Houston, Texas serving small batched “Cultured Scoops” a unique set of rich and creamy flavors that represent the diversity of the world around us. From Grand-mom's Sweet Potato Pie to Horchata, our intent is to bridge the gap of cultural backgrounds through our unique flavors. We, the founders, are Philly natives so it's only right that you experience the root of our culture through Philadelphia water ice.
Big Ole Scoop was founded in 2019 by Hannah and Ravone Cornish with the help of our precious daughter Maddie. As an Independent Health Insurance Agent and Finance Manager, we decided to embark on a journey that combines our love of dessert with our standard work/business ethic by curating ice cream together as a family. The name "Big Ole Scoop" was inspired by Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion. Once we moved, we were excited to immerse ourselves in the city's culture but still needed a name for our business. While shopping for ice cream supplies, Hannah couldn't get the song "Big Ole Freak" out of her head and then realized the name Big Ole Scoop would be the perfect way to end the #HotGirlSummer.
2020 vision became foggy due to the unforeseen global pandemic that lead to border closures and lockdowns. Small businesses were greatly impacted, especially start-ups. Through extensive brainstorming meetings, mentorship sessions, and taste test trails, no one could have prepared us for the "new norm" we were experiencing. We know entrepreneurship is not easy, and that the restaurant industry was facing some of it's toughest times, yet we continued forward as planned. However, losing our biggest investor due to the initial impact of the pandemic has made launching Big Ole Scoop an uphill battle. We are still pushing forward, by any means, but this challenge in combination with residual impacts from the pandemic made it nearly impossible to get our business off of the ground.
Big Ole Scoop strives to be a platform for change by investing resources into the community. Our first step began this past summer by providing water for the homeless population in Houston. From Minute Maid Park to The Beacon and back over to the Metro Train Station, we've handed out thousands of water bottles in the midst of the pandemic. Initially we wanted to give cold water and eventually free ice cream as a treat, but we soon realized that wouldn't be enough. Meeting people and speaking with them about their daily struggles changed our focus and now our mission is to contribute by introducing innovative ways to "lift as we climb".
Another area of our community contribution is our commitment to helping other entrepreneurs with start-ups. This is how we will pay it forward because the next generation will be counting on us. We want to continue seeing young black entrepreneurs, so we will facilitate workshops that cultivate leadership development and skill building to provide aspirants with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into functional businesses. Big Ole Scoop is more than just ice cream, we are a part of the culture.
WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY!
With this Go Fund Me, you will help us build out our first store location in The Heights area in Houston, Texas. We are starting from scratch and it has been difficult to qualify for grants and loans as a new business. These funds would contribute to buildout, architectural and professional fees, permits, materials, freezers, equipment, technology, and other operating cost. Your support would do more than just help open a brick and mortar, it would be the stepping stone to another positive impact on our communities. Let’s do some good together! We appreciate you all, and hope you find this journey worthy of your donation.
"That’s the scoop"
https://www.instagram.com/bigolescoop/
https://www.facebook.com/bigolescoop/
Big Ole Scoop was founded in 2019 by Hannah and Ravone Cornish with the help of our precious daughter Maddie. As an Independent Health Insurance Agent and Finance Manager, we decided to embark on a journey that combines our love of dessert with our standard work/business ethic by curating ice cream together as a family. The name "Big Ole Scoop" was inspired by Houston’s own Megan Thee Stallion. Once we moved, we were excited to immerse ourselves in the city's culture but still needed a name for our business. While shopping for ice cream supplies, Hannah couldn't get the song "Big Ole Freak" out of her head and then realized the name Big Ole Scoop would be the perfect way to end the #HotGirlSummer.2020 vision became foggy due to the unforeseen global pandemic that lead to border closures and lockdowns. Small businesses were greatly impacted, especially start-ups. Through extensive brainstorming meetings, mentorship sessions, and taste test trails, no one could have prepared us for the "new norm" we were experiencing. We know entrepreneurship is not easy, and that the restaurant industry was facing some of it's toughest times, yet we continued forward as planned. However, losing our biggest investor due to the initial impact of the pandemic has made launching Big Ole Scoop an uphill battle. We are still pushing forward, by any means, but this challenge in combination with residual impacts from the pandemic made it nearly impossible to get our business off of the ground.
Big Ole Scoop strives to be a platform for change by investing resources into the community. Our first step began this past summer by providing water for the homeless population in Houston. From Minute Maid Park to The Beacon and back over to the Metro Train Station, we've handed out thousands of water bottles in the midst of the pandemic. Initially we wanted to give cold water and eventually free ice cream as a treat, but we soon realized that wouldn't be enough. Meeting people and speaking with them about their daily struggles changed our focus and now our mission is to contribute by introducing innovative ways to "lift as we climb".
Another area of our community contribution is our commitment to helping other entrepreneurs with start-ups. This is how we will pay it forward because the next generation will be counting on us. We want to continue seeing young black entrepreneurs, so we will facilitate workshops that cultivate leadership development and skill building to provide aspirants with the necessary tools to turn their ideas into functional businesses. Big Ole Scoop is more than just ice cream, we are a part of the culture.
WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY!
With this Go Fund Me, you will help us build out our first store location in The Heights area in Houston, Texas. We are starting from scratch and it has been difficult to qualify for grants and loans as a new business. These funds would contribute to buildout, architectural and professional fees, permits, materials, freezers, equipment, technology, and other operating cost. Your support would do more than just help open a brick and mortar, it would be the stepping stone to another positive impact on our communities. Let’s do some good together! We appreciate you all, and hope you find this journey worthy of your donation.
"That’s the scoop"
https://www.instagram.com/bigolescoop/
https://www.facebook.com/bigolescoop/
Organizer
Hannah Cornish
Organizer
Houston, TX
