Femme Forward – Lancaster, PA

“Finding time to be a wife, mother, daughter, and friend while building a successful business has been overwhelming and rewarding. But we are creating cherished memories and establishing a lasting legacy.” – Nicole

On hot summer days, ice cream and other frozen treats are the perfect things to eat. Most of us have fond childhood memories surrounding ice cream and still enjoy it today. For Nicole, her childhood memories of frozen summer treats have joined forces with adult experiences to form the perfect business idea. Through Nikki’s Custard, Nicole has created an environment for new generations to form memories, while continuing to create some of her own with her family who help her with the business. This close-knit family dynamic not only strengthens the business but also fosters community ties as this resonates with other local businesses and community members. However, starting a business as a woman comes with unique challenges, from balancing family responsibilities to overcoming societal biases. Nicole’s journey exemplifies resilience and the power of family support in achieving entrepreneurial success.

Officially opening in late 2023, Nikki’s Custard was in the works since February 2022. After going through many life stages and changes, Nicole and her family found themselves in the Midwest – specifically, Wisconsin. To Milwaukee locals, the city is the unofficial “Frozen Custard Capital of the World”, with more custard shops per capita than you can find anywhere else in the world. The city’s connection to high-quality dairy products, thanks to Wisconsin’s robust dairy industry, plays a significant role in this distinction.

Notable custard stands in Milwaukee include Kopp’s Frozen Custard, which started the “Flavor of the Day” concept, and Leon’s Frozen Custard, known for its classic flavors and nostalgic drive-in experience​. The city’s custard culture is reinforced by local companies like Galloway and Company, a major supplier of custard mix, and Stoelting, a manufacturer of custard-making machines​​. The combination of quality ingredients and a deep-rooted dairy heritage all contribute to Milwaukee’s reputation as the frozen custard capital.

“Start with quality, and through that, be creative” has become the motto behind the flavors and options featured in the shop. Nikki’s not only focuses on quality through their ingredients, but also on catering to all dietary needs to ensure that everyone can indulge in their products. Nicole teamed up with other local businesses, including Christina Maser Company, Front Porch Baking Co., and Braddy Boyz Pretzels, to make her vision of using high-quality local ingredients a reality. The shop features two soft-serve machines for flexibility, including vegan and non-dairy custard and toppings. Their newest addition to the menu is a limited-time item featuring cookies from KelSas SweetBox: a frozen cookie-custard sandwich (yum!).

According to Nicole, many people assume their shop is part of a larger chain, which actually shows that they are on the path to success with their branding, product, and customer experience becoming a well-known feature around the area. The shop currently has a 4.9-star rating on Google, with a reply from Nicole on almost every review. This enforces Nicole’s dedication and appreciation to the community, and her pride in her business is well-deserved.