Inspired by the homemade ice cream he enjoyed as a child, Yahya Muhammad has spent years experimenting with new flavors and sharing them with family and friends.
When he opened Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream in Bronzeville with his wife Nataki, the pair committed to producing ice cream the way it used to be made, the old-fashioned way, by cooking the custard and slowly churning it to make a creamy and frosty ice cream that is equal parts nostalgic and fresh with flavor ideas, Shawn Michelle’s has found the right combination of tried, true, and new that has made them increasingly popular throughout the city.
Fresh off of opening up a second location in Olympia Fields, N’DIGO sat down with founder Yahya Muhammad to learn more about the origins of the business, what sets it apart from others and what the future holds as their business continues to grow.
“Shawn Michelle’s is taking you back down memory lane, but this time brings your children along for the journey too,” explains Yahya. “We are proud to be able to expand our brand through the Chicagoland area and look forward to continuing to do so everywhere.”
N’DIGO: In your own words, who are Yahya and Nataki Muhammad?
Yahya Muhammad: We are a happily married couple that deeply loves God, each other, our family, and our community. We work hard and enjoy life. We love to travel, and we hope to leave our children and community with a legacy of Black excellence.
What was the inspiration for starting Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream?
The homemade ice cream inspired me. I enjoyed while playing little league baseball as a child on the Southside of Chicago. One day after practice, there was an old lady with a bucket on a bench, and she had cups of ice cream for one dollar. It was soft and distinctively different. I spent decades perfecting my signature homemade vanilla ice cream and experimenting with new flavors.
How do you go about creating some of your unique menu items?
I’m a foodie at heart. I love harmonizing flavors, and most of my inspiration comes primarily from the Black experience. I like to go back down memory lane to create flavors that remind me of grandma, soul food, and family reunions. That inspired our slow churn, custard banana pudding, and lunchroom butter cookie-flavored ice cream. Then, we’ll take a classic such as butter pecan, and infuse it with bourbon for a new twist on a classic flavor.
Thus far, what’s been your undisputed crowd-favorite item?
Well, in terms of ice cream, it’s our old-school homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream. But our peach cobbler is a crowd-pleaser when it comes to cobblers. It will make you stomp your feet.
Can you talk a little about your individual roles within the business?
Although some of our roles often blend together to get things done, in general, I handle food and staff issues, and my wife Nataki handles public relations and marketing.
What is the “it” factor that separates Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream from others?
We offer old-fashioned ice cream–the kind you turn with a churn–made with fresh ingredients. That vanilla ice cream is the one that most reminds me of grandma’s because we use the churn, rock salt, fresh cream, vanilla, eggs, milk, and sugar. No preservatives. It’s really homemade, and our vegan option is equally delicious and memorable. Also, as the weather gets colder, we offer other items. We have just installed a new commercial oven and are now offering something new: Comfort cakes, which is our take on pound cakes. In addition, we have a Jamaican Rum Cake and a Slap Your Son Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cake. We believe our new Louisiana Bread Pudding will also separate us from others as well.
How do you balance family life and the growing business?
Honestly, it really all merges together at times. We take vacations, staycations, and date nights to break up the daily grind of work and raising children to help offset the blended days where it all comes together daily.
What are some of the unique challenges you’ve faced as Black entrepreneurs establishing your restaurant?
Well, finances are always an issue. First, it takes a lot of capital to start, maintain and grow a business like ours, so access to capital is an ongoing challenge. The next thing is probably the consistent training and development of staff, which is also ongoing. They are growing with us.
What are three of your personal keys to business?
We focus on providing the best and most quality ingredients, treating people like we’d like to be treated by offering excellent service, and providing an oasis for our customers who deserve the very best.
Best piece of advice for young entrepreneurs?
Don’t mortgage your dreams. Live your passion. Stay the course. Don’t defer your dreams. Do not be afraid to live your dreams.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
It’s not that we aim too high and miss; it’s that we aim too low and hit.
What’s next for Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream?
Next, we’re eyeing even more expansion to bring Shawn Michelle’s homemade ice cream and our new comfort cakes to various metropolitan areas across the country.
For more information on Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
