In the bustling town of Round Rock, Texas, Tanya Rosenzweig's GoGo YumYum ice cream truck, affectionately named Rocky, is a beloved local fixture. Drawing inspiration from her cherished childhood memories with her aunts and uncles, Tanya has dedicated her business to recapturing the magic and importance those moments held for her. Her entrepreneurial journey began out of a desire to bring joy and nostalgia through the simple pleasure of ice cream, a venture that has grown significantly since its inception.

Despite challenges such as the Texas heat and the quirks of an older vehicle, Tanya's background as a graphic designer with ten years of experience has uniquely positioned her to blend creativity with business acumen, making GoGo YumYum a standout brand in the community. Her commitment extends beyond business; through GoGo YumYum, Tanya has raised nearly $1,000 for local charities, including giving free ice cream at community and charitable events.

In this Q&A feature, we delve deeper into Tanya Rosenzweig's story, exploring the inspirations, challenges, and the profound community impact of GoGo YumYum.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

A: My niece and nephews. When my sister started having her children and I became an aunt, my life really changed. At the time this idea started developing, my oldest nephew was 8–so I told myself I had 8 years to turn this into something so that when he turned 16 he might be able to come work a summer job on an ice cream truck. My own greatest memories of childhood were times with my favorite uncles and a favorite aunt. I really want to create beautiful core memories with them and my family.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced when you started?

A: Texas heat and problems with the truck (Rocky) because it's old.

Q: What was the vision behind your business, and how has it evolved since you started?

A: My vision was to scale it as soon as possible. Once it all got started, I realized it was going to take a lot of hard work just to get this one truck right. And since I've started, I've surprised myself with what I'm capable of doing on my own. It's empowered me and scared me.

Q: Did you always want to own a business? What did you want to do if not?

A: I actually had no idea I wanted to own a business, even when I started my graphic design business a few years before this. I have worked in corporate environments and found it really frustrating when systems weren’t efficient and when I discussed it with a business mentor, they pointed out to me that I have a lot of characteristics of a visionary. I think I’ve been in denial about that for some time now and with this project, I decided to embrace it. If I wasn’t doing this, I would definitely be working on developing a new product, probably a food product of my own.

‍Q: Could you share a milestone or achievement that you're particularly proud of?

A: Making it to season 2 with more hope and less doom has been amazing.

‍Q: What’s something your customers don’t know about you or your business?

A: That it’s just me, I’m every woman here! I’m a graphic designer that has been specializing in branding but specifically in CPG. Food has been my life in one way or another for over 10 years, getting to work on brands as they’re launching or when they need a refresh. So I’m not only driving the truck and slinging the ice cream, but I designed and built my own website, I designed the wrap on the truck, I created my own strategic assets, I decide what to sell and how to sell it. I’m the one with the phone in my hand recording all the content for social media and in email booking the events. Sometimes people call to schedule and they ask if ‘we’ can come out and I’m like, “there ain’t no ‘we’, it’s just ‘me’!”.

‍Q: What part of what you do gets you out of bed everyday?

A: I don't think we have any other option than to go. I think a lot of entrepreneurs understand this.

‍Q: In what ways does your business strive to make a positive impact on your community or industry?

A: I fundraise. Last year I raised almost $1k to give ice cream to underserved communities: a local children's home, the workers at an equine facility that uses their horses to provide therapy to children and adults with disabilities and patients with PTSD, and a big event with a local animal shelter where all the adopted dogs got doggy ice cream and their new parents got human ice cream.

‍Q: What future goals or projects are you most excited about for your business?

A: I want to keep giving back more in the currency of joy. I love working within the community and feeling like i'm doing a lot of good with a little ice cream.

‍Q: How do you navigate setbacks or failures, and what lessons have they taught you?

A: I try so hard to stay calm. It has taught me patience. It's taught me that I'm tough and I can figure things out.

‍Q: Is there someone in your industry who inspires you?

A: My friend Nicky who owns Good Times Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Q: What’s some advice you would give to new businesses owners?

A: Just Do It. It's the most perfect copy writing ever. They don't make slogans like that one anymore.