Kimberly Martin created Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor in 2003 and has run a successful business ever since. Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor has been voted best ice cream in Northwest Indiana for 14 years.
Martin was hosting a party on a hot day in 2003. She now describes it as a commiseration party. Just about everyone there was unhappy with some key aspect of their lives. It was often their job. All of the partygoers felt they were hitting a wall, a dead end, or needed a change.
Not big on drinking, they decided they needed to buy some ice cream to help. There, in the summer heat, someone remarked that Martin should open an ice cream shop. It was nothing more than a light-hearted joke, and an appreciation for the dairy treat they were enjoying, but Martin ended up doing just that.
The idea for the business came incredibly spontaneously. However, Bubbles was incredibly well planned with Martin winning Best Business Plan in Northwest Indiana in 2003 from the Indiana Small Business Development Center.
Before starting her business, Martin was an executive and administrative assistant for businesses across Michigan City. In these positions, she learned a lot about how to run a business and only stopped working as an administrative assistant in 2020.
Martin is an impressive show of incredibly hard work over many years. Not all people can work a full-time job, and run their own business, but Martin has had success.
In her free time, which as a busy woman she gets little of, Martin loves to spend time with her family. She began the business with her husband, and still adores him.
Some people believe that success comes from high earnings, but Martin has another view. She believes that the greatest good she can do as a business owner is to train her young workers to be successful.
Martin worked for Carlson’s Drive-In as a carhop when she was a teenager. She remembers the owner being slightly preachy and a bit ornery when she was a kid. She now realizes that he taught her what being a good business owner is, and is incredibly thankful for it. Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor now sits across the street from Carlson’s Drive-In. Martin believes that this is a funny way to show that life really does come full circle.
Martin says she does not actively consider what she is teaching her workers but hopes that her business practices are observed by her employees to be used at a later date as was the case for her.
She also actively uses Bubbles to shine a light on community members and small businesses throughout Michigan City. Bubbles spotlights Michigan City High School athletes and athletic events on their social media.
Bubbles also uses its strong position in the community to shout out other businesses. Whenever a business is having a special event or is just announcing a new menu item, Bubbles is sure to help spread the word.
Martin finds that lifting up others and teaching young people skills they will use throughout their lives is truly fulfilling.