SEBASTIAN — Wanda Simmons founded Paradise Ice Cream in May 2008 on the eve of the great recession, but her business has survived thanks to savvy marketing and community involvement.
Now five years later, Sebastian and Fellsmere city officials say they see indicators that the economy is picking up and, instead of shuttering their doors, businesses are actually opening in the North County.
Sebastian residents, Simmons and her business partner and husband, Paul, shared tips and tricks to being scrappy fighters on a shoestring who refused to go down for the count.
“I think a lot of people will tell you they love your product or your service or your business and that they hope you’ll succeed. A lot of people would tell us that, sharing that they hoped we could stick it out so they could have a nice ice cream place in Sebastian,” Wanda Simmons said. “I’d say great! If you love us and want us to stay in business, next week when you come, bring a friend. They’d bring a friend, and then I’d say, great, next time each of you bring a friend.”
It’s not enough to be personable behind the counter and hope people come to you, Simmons said.
Persistent promotion is a common feature among successful local business owners, said marketing expert Britney Melchiori.
“She gets involved in so many groups and takes part in so many events because she knows how important it is to get your face in front of people,” Melchiori said.
Simmons has chaired the Chamber’s popular Grill Out Night during the summer low season.
“Get to know your fellow businesses, even in the heat of the summer time when the snowbirds are gone,” she added. “Ask them to support you in your business, refer you, recommend you, and be sure to do the same for them.”
Melchiori sees signs that things are picking up.
“At the height of the economic boom we were at 1,000 Chamber members,” Melchori said. “Since 2009, when we dropped down to half that number, it’s been our goal to get to 700 members, and we have just accomplished that.”
The City of Sebastian concurs.
“Our permit department is very busy,” said Joe Griffin, community development director for the city of Sebastian. “New housing starts are up, as are permits for repairs, roofing, decks, and so on, which also means local employment and money going into the economy. There is new business at the (Sebastian) airport. In parallel, we are seeing that unemployment is on the decline.”
Fellsmere Community Development director Mark Mathes said he’s seen also hopeful signs.
“We certainly see that there is a brisk increase in nonresidential in-town development permits applied for, received, and planned over next year or two based on conversations with the principals who are coming to us to inquire about starting the process,” Mathes said.
He pointed to the recent groundbreaking of Florida Organic Aquaculture’s organic shrimp and oyster business, which is expected to bring in 50 to 60 jobs.
“When this happens, we look to see other business follow suit,” he added.
Barefoot Bay residents Jane Murphy and husband, Bob Hill, are regulars at Paradise Ice Cream, lured in by the product and the warm welcome.
“Oh, I don’t think we’ve come here more than 100 times,” Hill teased of their regular status. “A neighbor told us about it, and we’ve since told our entire residential development.”
Murphy added, between bites of Moose Tracks, “From Vero to Melbourne, no one else measures up.”
Loyal snowbirds and locals alike come to celebrate special occasions.
A huge part of the draw is intangible, said Paul Simmons, who calls himself a reluctant businessman.
Why a reluctant businessman?
“We were scared we’d outlive our money, so we thought we should make an investment in something,” Simmons said. “That’s likely why we worked so hard, like our lives depended on it, because in fact they did.”
