Tyra Banks Ventures into Ice Cream Business in Washington DC: All You Need to Know
Renowned worldwide and former top model Tyra Banks is now bringing her expertise in modeling to the world of ice cream in Washington, DC. After a successful career on the runways and as the host of America’s Next Top Model, the multi-talented 50-year-old actor, writer, and producer has recently launched her new temporary ice cream shop in Woodley Park.
A crowd of eager customers lined up on Friday (July 19) to enjoy free ice cream and catch a glimpse of the owner at the new Smize & Dream ice cream shop, which will be open until September 20. The first 202 customers received complimentary ice cream as a nod to the city’s area code.
From the inspiration behind the venture to its choice of location, here’s all you need to know about Banks’s ice cream business.
How did Smize & Dream come about and why Washington, DC?
Banks launched Smize & Dream during the COVID-19 pandemic and initially sold prepackaged pints in Los Angeles in 2021. Following this, she opened a pop-up “ice cream trunk” in Dubai last year.
This particular location in Washington, DC marks the debut of her first physical brick-and-mortar ice cream parlor in the United States, with plans to expand to Australia and other countries in the near future.
One of the main reasons Banks chose Washington, DC is because it is where her brother Devin resides. Devin, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran currently working on Capitol Hill, is Banks’ inspiration behind selecting the city for her venture. In an interview with the Washington Post, Banks mentioned that they have been apart for many years, so it’s a special experience for her to be in the same city as her brother.
Another significant factor in choosing Washington, DC is the “Dream” component of the business’s name.
What does Smize & Dream signify?
The term “Smize,” which refers to smiling with your eyes, was coined by Tyra Banks in 2009 and has been a staple piece of advice for contestants on America’s Next Top Model. The name “Dream” embodies the philanthropic aspect of her enterprise.
Banks revealed that the business is a tribute to her mother, Carolyn, with whom she enjoyed weekly Häagen-Dazs scoops, a childhood treat from their days in a one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles. Further, the “Dream” portion of the endeavor is dedicated to establishing an educational institute in Washington, DC that focuses on teaching young individuals about hospitality entrepreneurship. Through a nonprofit ice cream and entrepreneurial center, underprivileged youth will have the opportunity to learn about the art of selling ice cream and various roles in the hospitality industry. The decision to launch the pop-up in DC was influenced by the desire to collaborate with local businesses and government entities before expanding globally.
A sign in the shop reads, “Never too old to dream. Never too young to smize.”
What sets Smize & Dream apart?
To simplify the overwhelming array of flavor options typically found in ice cream parlors, Banks has categorized the offerings at Smize & Dream into “flavor zones.” The first zone is “comfort,” featuring classic flavors like vanilla and Chocolate GooGoo Cake, which includes pieces of pudding-infused lava cake, reminiscent of childhood memories according to Banks.
The second zone is “curious,” featuring unique flavors such as StrawNana Pudding and Purple Cookie Mon-Star. Lastly, the “crazy” zone offers experimental flavors with local influences, such as Cap Hill Crunch, Woodley Park Thang, and a vegan option: Chocolate Cookies and Cream.
Another distinctive aspect of Smize & Dream is the “smize surprize,” a creative twist on traditional toppings. Instead of conventional toppings, each order includes a surprise truffle hidden at the bottom of the cup or cone. Options include Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookie Butta, or a weekly rotating truffle.
“When I conceptualized this business, I wanted to embody what my mom stands for in dreams and hard work to make those dreams a reality,” Banks explains. “That’s why I came up with ‘smize surprize.’ So as you dig into your ice cream, think about your dreams—not just weight loss—and where they come from.”
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