If you live in Austin, there’s a good chance you’ve been to at least one of the 13 Amy’s Ice Creams locations in the area. Although the shops are all similar, each one offers something a little bit different. There’s a uniqueness to Amy’s that you can’t find just anywhere.
Not only are their products top notch and locations fun to visit, but the employees and overall philosophy truly sets Amy’s Ice Creams (yes, it’s plural) apart.
Although Amy’s is, of course, an ice cream shop they do so much more than sell ice cream. They support the local community in countless ways. They believe strongly in entrepreneurship and have programs that encourage and assist their employees start their own small businesses. Amy’s regularly shares financial data with the workers and places a high value on service.
Their philosophy of “making people’s day” is simple but brilliant, and Amy’s Ice Creams empowers its employees to do just that.
Like, for example, Paul Saigo at the Hill Country Galleria location.
My family and I popped in to Amy’s for a sweet treat last weekend and were immediately greeted by a friendly guy in a Skipper hat. He waited patiently and chatted with us while my youngest made her decisions (sounds easy but this is a major process to a four year old — cup or cone? sweet cream or belgian chocolate? gummy bears or sprinkles? Oh, the decisions!).
As soon as we ordered it became clear that Paul was no ordinary scooper. We watched in delight as he threw the ice cream in the air, catching it in the cup. The next scoop was an around the back toss. He had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and it was entertaining and fun to watch. Think Tom Cruise in Cocktail, except with ice cream and a Skipper hat. Which clearly is much, much cooler.
As we ate our ice cream I watched him interact with and entertain person after person, chatting with them, tossing ice cream, flipping scoops and just, well, “making people’s day.”
And that’s what I like about Amy’s. It’s people like Paul that make your day just a little bit brighter. Amy’s empowers its employees to make decisions and do what needs to be done to make the situation right.
Another example — I once saw a little boy drop his new cone on the ground. His lip started to quiver and just as it seemed he was about to lose it an employee scooped in with a new one and cleaned up the mess. Day saved.
Those of us in the Lake Travis area are lucky enough to have Paul, but there are tons of other unique, friendly employees at other locations. They may have different talents and hats, but if they work at Amy’s it’s clear they have one thing in common: the desire to make people’s day.
Thanks, Paul!
