The Sweetest Women Alive
As we celebrate International Women’s Month this March, we’re tipping our hats to the remarkable girl-boss brains who pour their passion into every churn and swirl at our beloved ice cream shop. Behind the counter (or in the kitchen), you’ll find not one, not two, but three extraordinary women who are the driving force behind our delectable ice cream delights. These belles go by Claire Crowell, Autumn Friese, and Rhonda Schmitz; they are the heart and soul of the brand, infusing each batch with a sprinkle of their own unique charm and flair. Grab a spoon, pull up a chair, and let’s dive into the irresistible world of ice cream sweetness, brought to you by the incredible women of our ice cream shop.
Autumn is in charge of all things kitchen and production. She is truly the woman behind the scenes, making it all possible. She and her production crew (our dynamic duo Kaitlyn & Kara) are the ones the whip up our homemade flavors at our headquarters in Columbia, Tenn. She predicts the growth and future of the ice creamery in very few but bold words: “Expect big things.” One of her dearest memories was overcoming the unpredictable business during Covid times, selling ice cream out of the event van and meeting all their fans out in the wild.
Aside from being the full-time ice cream queen, Rhonda Schmitz (COO) has a pretty positive mission in life. Persistently passionate about everything she sets her mind to, Rhonda beams, “I love working with the other GREAT women, including my very own daughters. All of us are different but complete such a unique team to keep our ice cream shop going. On the job and off, we can count on each other and cheer each other on. To mentor our staff and see them grow into who they are becoming as young adults is always rewarding.”
When the ice cream industry isn’t taking over, Rhonda brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic drive to everything. She and her husband, Paul Schmitz, started a nonprofit shower truck called ShowerUp Nashville in 2016 allowing the unhoused of Nashville to congregate and become clean. Their mission quickly became a city project. The organization now partners locally with the Nashville Predators and has expanded to serve in multiple cities across the nation.
Claire Crowell, our founding mother, is a legend that grew up in a major grocery and restaurant family; she learned the ropes young. With her hands-on approach, Claire embodies leadership through mentorship, guiding her team with a personal touch. With a focus on nurturing talent and fostering growth, she loves to empower her staff to reach their full potential all while providing the tastiest homemade ice cream. Her firstborn is now beaming with the fact she has her own ice cream shop. Who wants to guess her name? A beautiful business idea inspired by nostalgic ice cream recipes, love for our daughters, and Southern family traditions.
Claire also loves to partner with and support other female-owned businesses through ice cream flavors like our Strawberries & Cream (with Green Door Gourmet Farms strawberries.. coming soon!), and through her involvement with Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization that supports women in food and hospitality. She’s also launched an online initiative for restaurant operators called the Out of the Weeds Collective, which focuses on helping restauranteurs lead a sustainable lifestyle while building better teams.
As we wrap up our spotlight on the remarkable women that steer Hattie Jane’s, we are truly inspired by their collective passion and dedication. The consistent innovation and creativity of all these women show in every bite of ice cream. Autumn describes the work environment as a “built-in cheerleading squad” and now you may have an insight of why these ladies exude a brilliant work ethic and their loyalty to the brand remains unwavering. It takes a village!
Let’s raise a cone to supporting female entrepreneurs as they carve their path in the fun world of ice cream. Next time you swing by for a taste of this goodness, remember the women who made it all possible.
Related Article: [link to Where’s the Strawberry?]
