Every business has its own unique journey, but it’s how you take risk and build your team that Paul Tamburello, Founder of Little Man Ice Cream credits to his success.
“Risk for me has been one of those things where you test your skills, you test your team and I’ve never been let down,” Tamburello said. “Some of the skill in taking risk is learning how to read more than just the numbers – it’s about trusting your team.”
We heard from Tamburello at our Your Conversation With series earlier this month.
Despite the snow in the air, scoops and cones of ice cream from his Denver staple were shared, but what was sweeter was learning about Tamburello’s journey and the making of one of the community’s most recognizable businesses.
If you’ve driven through the Highlands neighborhood, you immediately are drawn to the milk can that is filled with laughter and people. Tamburello believes that there are three things that make people keep coming back and standing in line:
- Be a Part of the Community. Tamburello saw that a community hub was missing, and he made it his intention to become that community location: “From day one we set up to be an expression of our community – you can come anytime day or night and have the chance to meet and encounter your neighbors.”
- Build a Strong Team. Tamburello believes that the most important thing is your human capital – the people you surround yourself with that makes your business churn. And, for many of his employees, it’s their first job: “We take serious the responsibility of working with these kids … Any young person who works for us can take those lessons and translate them into their next job.”
- The Experience. When you go to Little Man, it’s more than getting a scoop of ice cream – it’s an experience. Ice cream was a ritual in Tamburello’s family and he always wanted to have an ice cream shop, but it had to “have a roadside experience to it.” After reading California Crazy by Jim Heimann, Tamburello knew he wanted to create the iconic milk can. “I never looked at Little Man as piece of art, but others do. I think that’s part of why it’s become an icon for the city.”
The other reason why people stand in line? “The ice cream is really damn good,” Tamburello said.
Little Man Ice Cream is set to open its fifth location this year and employ close to 200. While there is no secret recipe to business, Tamburello did share one secret with us: “In a recession there are five things that people will spend money on, and one of them is ice cream.”
Laura James is the senior marketing and communications specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber.