Shelly Marshall, co-founder of Island Pops in New York, has brought tropical flavors to New York City and across the country since 2015. Alongside her husband, Shelly turned her passion for Caribbean-inspired frozen treats into a thriving ice cream and treats business. She opened the first Island Pops shop in 2018, and since then, the journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

For the past five years, Shelly and her family have developed a strong relationship with our team. As a community bank dedicated to supporting local businesses, we are sweetly delighted to be part of Island Pops’ growth. Our commercial lending team helped Island Pops secure the funding needed to relocate and expand. Simply put: we were able to help Island Pops secure the money they needed without a lot of the hurdles that a less community-oriented bank might have presented.

“I called the team at Spring Bank to ask for help. We had to move locations at the end of our slow season. I had saved 10 cents from every dollar in summer sales, but the savings were almost gone, and we didn’t have the cash to cover moving expenses. The loan came at the right time,” Shelly shared. 

Island Pops’ flagship store in Brooklyn recently moved to a more open and functional space, allowing for greater productivity and customer service. This two-story shop features a classic storefront with Island Pops branding, drawing in customers from all over the city.

“With the new shop, I’m able to be here, do the things I always wanted to do like make the space more functional, make the kitchen bigger for the staff to make and sell more products,” says Shelly. 

In addition to their signature house-made popsicles and ice creams, Island Pops has expanded its menu to include crepes, fresh pastries, cookies, and summer drinks. Shelly has also acquired an automatic popsicle machine which has streamlined production, a necessary step to support their operations as they look towards franchising and catering corporate events.

Shelly is enthusiastic about the prospect of franchising Island Pops. She envisions new locations in Maryland, Atlanta, and Florida and an ice cream truck that can serve as a mobile, cost-effective storefront.

“I probably just want to open one more brick and mortar, maybe, and the truck. Different forms of distribution are going to help us level up and scale. So if there are other locations we can expand to, offering the franchise will give me less risk and allow me to spend time with my kids.” 

In addition to Island Pops, Shelly has launched another innovative brand called True Scoops. This powdered mix, which turns into ice cream with just milk and a mixer, was inspired by her kitchen experiments during the pandemic when she struggled to make ice cream from scratch for her kids. The idea was so compelling that it made it to Shark Tank. Available on True Scoop’s website and Amazon, Shelly’s goal is to revolutionize how people think about ice cream.

“We’re trying to get people to know that ice cream can be found outside of the freezer. You can find it in the baking aisle, next to the sprinkles, because it’s a little packet of mix,” she shares. 

Shelly’s journey with Island Pops showcases the dedication to true entrepreneurship, the power of community support, and innovative thinking. With 25% of revenue coming from event catering, Island Pops continues to grow and adapt. Shelly’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as she considers the future. 

“Where could the brand be in five years?” she wonders.

For us at Spring Bank, supporting small businesses like Island Pops is about more than just financial transactions. It’s about building relationships and fostering success within the community. Whether you’re looking to open a new business bank account, manage your small business accounts, or explore business checking account options, we are committed to helping local entrepreneurs thrive.

For more information on how Spring Bank can support your business, visit our website and discover why we are one of the best banks in NY.