Here's the Scoop!

Remember when we all made pandemic banana bread four years ago?

And some of us (guilty) may have even started designing a logo for our new baked goods delivery service (My Dumbo Donuts and Cobble Hill Crumb Cake was totally a thriving business for 2 whole weeks)

Meet Dennine Dyer, a commercial wardrobe stylist and solo world traveler who also turned to her kitchen during Covid, and who successfully turned that hobby into her full-time business:? Solo Scoop Creamery.

This mobile creamery features flavors from her solo travels, letting the consumer taste the world, one scoop at a time.

When COVID hit, many industries paused, and that included retail and photo shoots.? With no styling work to do, and travel limited, to nonexistent, Dennine started making bread in her Brooklyn apartment.? But not just bread – creations from all over the world.? She moved on to beignets, then tiramisu.? Then looked up how to make ice cream.??With just a Ziploc, milk, salt and ice, she made her first batch.

And while she doesn’t recommend that method, she used that time to pursue her passion for food and improve her craft.?

Once a freelance Food Network on-set wardrobe stylist, she’s now been asked to be a part of Food Network festivals.? Being the Talent vs. the Stylist was a big moment for her – even a confident Leo can have imposter syndrome now and then, but receiving this ask reinforced her mantra that you never know…never know who might be paying attention, or looking for their next partner or open to giving someone a chance.? You need to be and bring your authentic best self every day, and she wholeheartedly believes that as a business owner, there’s not just always something you can be doing, but there’s always something you can be doing better.

Dennine had no background in developing a restaurant concept, but during the pandemic, had time on her hands to Google how to start a business and attended more entrepreneur webinars than she can count.

She learned of the loneliness of being a business owner, and not just during the pandemic.? Starting a business is hard work, and when it’s your creation, and you’re the one that cares about it the most, it’s hard to ask for or receive help.? Thanks to friends, family and her church community, though, Solo Scoop’s name and great reputation as a mobile creamery grew, and what started out as a dream to deliver ice cream to events came true.

From one client, she catered their wedding, then baby shower, then first birthday party and then got referred to a school teacher appreciation event.? She’s now part of families' lives and core memories – how amazing is that!?

She was also awarded a spot in Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business, business accelerator program.

From Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs has spent the last decade helping small businesses grow with 10,000 Small Businesses. Now, One Million Black Women is taking it further -- reaching Black women sole proprietors with the tools necessary to turn their business potential into business growth.

Through the One Million Black Women: Black in Business, participants learn how to better understand their finances, hire their first employee, price their products or services, and much more – at no cost to the business owner.?

Here, she found a sisterhood of entrepreneurs, who wanted to see her succeed, understood the days when a founder wants to cry, and taught her that she doesn’t have to do this alone.? The Goldman Sachs program really pulled it all together, she says, helping her understand finances, her market and scalability.

Her clients range from foodies at food markets, open to new flavors, to brides looking to wow their guests, to corporate functions with something for everyone.? She’s consistent, reliable, friendly and meticulously organized, which she says has helped her grow, because being prepared and organized has allowed her to say yes to opportunities that come up at a moment's notice. Preparation + Opportunity = Luck!

What keeps her going is the joy in giving someone something they’ve never experienced before.? Letting them have a taste, pun intended, of a different place, culture, experience in that cup.

And while it’s called Solo cup, a nod to her solo traveling, she admits she was never really alone on her adventures.? From Facetiming family to show them the sunrise in Egypt to being “adopted” for a day by a family in Petra, Jordan after asking them to take her picture, her solo travels were full of shared experiences.? Which, as we all know, is also a great way to enjoy ice cream.

What’s next?? Dennine just completed her application to become a MWBE certification (Minority and women owned business enterprise) which extends her businesses to practice in the full Tri-State area.? And she’s working towards a goal of being in airports! (Can't wait for that!)

She recently traveled to Miami and St Maartin, where she took in the sites with fresh eyes, and took home a lot of inspiration.

Next on her travel wish list:? Cuba and Brazil

Dennine’s motto is be curious – constantly – and you’ll find pockets of joy.? Thank you, Dennine, for bringing that joy in every cup of Cookie Butter, Paloma, Coconut Mojito and so many more delicious scoops!

Check out her insta and book the Solo Scoop Cart for your upcoming event!

Instagram: @soloscoopcreamery

Website: SOLO SCOOP CREAMERY

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