Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Wilmore.
Hi Erin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
This business started with a wild idea I had and a husband willing to follow along.
We live in a rural farming community just north of Nashville, so I wanted to bring a little fun from the city to the country. We wanted to not only open a shaved ice/coffee truck, but we also wanted to have space during the summer for families, couples or whomever to have a spot to sit, relax, sip a drink, and bring their kids. To our surprise, that is exactly what we have! We are mobile for events, weddings, and venues, but for eight weeks in the summer, we set up at our place in town to serve locals or just anyone passing through. We are located at 605 Scottsville Rd, Lafayette TN Open from Memorial day through Labor Day.
We have picnic tables, shade trees, and the entire side of the adjacent building, which we lovingly called the “chalk wall”, where kids can chalk drawings & creatively express themselves while parents or grandparents relax! We aren’t just making drinks, we are making an experience that tastes delicious.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anyone in small business could ever say it’s a smooth road, however if you don’t use the challenges to learn from and improve, you will never succeed. Small business is an ever-changing journey. It has taught us to move and sway with the changes and challenges, from the economic shifts to Covid restrictions we have become very quick learners! But we are still here, 5 years later, still loving it as much as the first day we started, just wiser.
We’ve been impressed with Southern Shave & Brew Co., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a small truck with BIG flavor! We are known for a “fully loaded” Shaved Ice & full coffee menu all in one truck! Our menu covers everyone in the family! From the persnickety coffee lover to your pickiest child.
Our Shaved Ice is BIG, loaded with toppings and sauces, then stuffed with vanilla ice cream. Once you experience our Shaved Ice is hard to enjoy any other! We offer a full coffee menu with a wide variety of flavors for both hot & iced coffees. We serve Frappes to Lattes (and even “kid-friendly” frappes) along with cold foam and non-dairy options for our coffee lovers!
One of our popular items is called the S’mores frappe’. It is made with toasted marshmallows, mocha, and espresso topped with mini chocolate bars, and graham cracker crumbles, and finished off with an oversize marshmallow that we toast right in front of you! It tastes like a campfire dream!
Of most popular shaved ice is called the Unicorn! It’s a blue raspberry and cotton candy flavored shave, stuffed with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with sweet cream, topped with whip cream, sprinkles, gummy rainbow strips and a huge piece fluffy cotton candy!! Even the toughest guy out there will love the unicorn!
How do you define success?
I believe success looks different to everyone. To us, in our business of serving others, success is when a child’s face completely lights up with excitement when you hand them an amazing Shaved Ice.
Or when a mom tells you this is her summer escape, because she’s able to bring her kids to chalk on the wall while she enjoys a break with a sweet beverage! And when a customer says they brought their grandmother by after getting a bad diagnosis and she seems to just forget about it while they enjoyed a milkshake together.
Success is improving someone’s day or being a bright spot during a difficult time. If kids can reflect with smiles upon good memories with their family while visiting us, then we have been successful.
Pricing:
- Shaved Ice for $5
- Frappes / Milkshakes $6
- Lemonade Refreshers $4
- Lattes’ $4
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @SouthernShave
- Facebook: @Southern Shave and Brew Co
- Email: southernshaveandbrewco@gmail.com
