Mezcla ice cream is owned and operated by Heidi Castillo, who set up shop in downtown Lancaster in October of this year, churning out a unique rotating menu of delicious Mexican inspired flavors. But this is not Heidi’s first experience with running a business; she is the CEO of a second company called PhotOlé Photography, with her husband Ole Hongvanthong is the founder. Mezcla’s storefront displays hints of both businesses on their shop’s front window, which holds mini Polaroid style images of customers enjoying their ice cream.
After seeing the shop’s profile on social media and watching them rack up rave reviews, I had the pleasure of stopping by to sample some flavors a few weeks after their grand opening. Mezcla is a quaint and adorable shop, and Heidi has such a warm and welcoming presence. Not to mention the ice cream is fantastic, the guava and cheese was a favorite of my partner and I.
I look forward to making the shop a regular spot on my list of downtown favorites, but I wanted to hear more about Heidi’s story.
I had the pleasure of hearing the origin story of Mezcla as well as Heidi’s inspiring story, and I’m so glad to be able to share it all with you as well!
Question 1: Starting with the basics, what is your background and the business’s background? How did you end up where you are now?
“I’m a third-generation female entrepreneur shaping my destiny in Lancaster. I ended up in the pretzel belt area because I’m a curious person. I grew up in Anaheim, California and had never been East. I went to Penn State as it had one of the best business programs at the time.
I learned some elements of entrepreneurship very early on in my life. My grandmother on my mother’s side turned to entrepreneurship as a means of survival to support her seven children after my grandfather died. She was persistent, resourceful, and great at building relationships. She took care of me until I was nine and I remember her growing her own food and bringing me to sell produce at a farmer’s market on the weekends. She never remarried and eventually saved up enough money to open her own convenience store. She has developed dementia but I like to remind her that she is exceptional. My mother followed a similar journey. She is fiscally responsible, disciplined, customer centric, and successful at sales. She got her start buying goods in bulk to resell while working at Oscar Mayer packing lunchables. I remember her working three jobs at a time to make rent and support my brother and I. She was always testing and experimenting with business ideas that could make money. She practiced the art of convenience before it was cool. Eventually, she saved enough money to buy land and property. I learned work ethic and several traits that made me the entrepreneur I am today from them. It has afforded me the finesse to manage PhotOlé Photography, Mezcla Ice Cream, and other aspirations.”
Question 2: Can you talk more about your experience as a woman in business / entrepreneur?
“I feel fortunate and grateful being a woman in business. Most of my clients for PhotOlé Photography are women in decision maker roles. It’s not a surprise as women in leadership roles are very organized, welcome change, inspiring and take risks. I am motivated to support them in freeing up their time, gathering and reviewing data to support their concepts, and helping them meet their revenue goals. I want them to win so I deliver them the same energy and ingenuity that I would want.”
Question 3: What are the most important things you would like the community to know about you or your business?
“I’d like the Lancaster community to know the power they have to change someone’s life. Entrepreneurs may formulate a way to implement a great concept but without support from the community, there is always a chance that their aspirations may not work out. For minority entrepreneurs, an opportunity and support can change our lives. We often lack credibility and recognition and depend on the community for it.
The origin of Mezcla Ice Cream started with family. The word Mezcla means to blend and it symbolizes not only the ingredients found in ice cream, but also the diversity in our families and the Lancaster community. The axolotl came from the minds of the children in our families, my nephews who are fourth generation Mexican American and heavy into minecraft, as well as Ole’s nieces and nephews. They participated in research I carried out and offered us their views on animals they associated with ice cream.”
Question 4: Do you have a favorite female owned business (or multiple) you would like to shout out or that you admire?
“I greatly admire Lucy Gomez who owns Cocina Mexicana in Lancaster.
There are so many women I could name here; Celina Segura (El Pueblito), Flora Gonzalez (Flora’s), Nicole Taylor (Nicole Taylor Boutique), Cindy Guo (Silantra), Donna Pham (Issei Noodle), Nury Vargas (Empanada Gourmet), Guadalupe Islas (Yum Yum Mini Pancake Bar & More), Whitney Lupton (TCP Network), Laura Wu (Laura Z Tai), Libby Ethridge (Wild Rice Co.), Shelby Wormley (WE & Company), Keisha Finnie (Keisha Finnie LLC), Ariana Garcia (Lanc Living Realty), Danielle Beattie (Lanc Living Realty), Alissa Calhoun (A. Calhoun Events), Jessie Tuno (Butter and Bean), and Emily Gonzalez (GEMs Catering).”
Question 5: Finally, is there anything else you would like to share with me or the community?
“I’m currently in the process of forming a book club for one of the best books I’ve read in a while, The Future of Building Wealth. The book club participants will be women as I feel it is imperative to promote asset building. I want to become the first member in my family to build assets that make enough passive income to give to my family as it is not common in the Hispanic community. I have six copies of the book and have two spots left to fill but hope to launch it in 2024.”
I am honored to share Heidi’s story as the first feature on Femme Foodie, but her business is only as strong as the community that shows her support; so please stop in and get the scoop on Mezcla (and continue to shop local!).
Be sure to check out the shop at 318 S Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602 or on their social media pages, you can even check their current flavor options before you go!
Femme Forward - Lancaster, PA 
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