Today we’d like to introduce you to DeSean Cagnolatti, Keith Cryer and Theo Bias.
DeSean, Keith and Theo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far
Going back to 1985, when we were styling Jheri Curls, Fades and the last of the Afros. Three young men (Keith, Theo and DeSean); were becoming young adults living in different areas of New Orleans. The one thing they had in common was that they attended the same Junior High School, Andrew J. Bell. As time would have it, they ended up going to the same High School, Joseph S. Clark as well and started playing on the football team together. These were “The Good Ol Days”, when life was easy and they only had to worried about school, part-time jobs and “Friday Night Lights”. They then graduated and life took its course. Fast forward 20+ years…
In 2011, DeSean reunited with Keith at Theo’s home in Dallas for Thanksgiving. At some point during conversations, Theo asked DeSean the question, “Why did you move back to Dallas?” In response, DeSean said, “To open a Daiquiri Shop.” Then Theo pulled Keith into the conversation and mentioned to him that DeSean was here to open a Daiquiri Shop. DeSean had no idea that Theo and Keith were well into their planning stages of opening a Daiquiri Shop as well.
After further conversations, the group decided to meet the following Monday to discuss their business plans. Needless to say, “It was a Perfect Match!” and had to be Divine Intervention. These three men truly believe that it was God’s hand that put them together and not against each other.
Prayer, Love, Faith, Hard Work, Family, Accountability, Trust and the Desire to Succeed are some of a few things that help to open the doors in 2012 to their first Daiquiri Shoppe location in Grand Prairie. The Daiquiri Shoppe is now a Real Thing!!!
Now seven years later, they’ve opened a Carrollton location in 2014 and expanded the Grand Prairie location in 2016. They now have even bigger dreams to expand the Carrollton location and to open two new locations in Keller and Waco, Texas. The Daiquiri Shoppe has made its mark in the State of Texas and it is now a destination location for locals and visitors to the DFW Metroplex.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We wouldn’t say the road was smooth. We wanted to start a business doing something we thought would be profitable and unique. We recognized this market was un-tapped. We thought to bring a bit of our Louisiana culture to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. But =, we were challenged with the lack of business knowledge.
We knew a few things life taught us from working for Fortune 500 companies to managing our own budget. Little did we know, the cost of opening and operating a business was a different ball game. We can remember opening our first electric bill. It was just $1000. Now your average home utility is $200. At this point, Keith (VP Finance) made the first executive decision to leave the lights off. I guess we started the energy conservation program, LOL. We lacked the knowledge of Legal, Insurance, Accounting and Banking relationships. This sounds like a lot and it is. Seven years later, we now have these things in place. We have a better grip on things but still learning.
Please tell us about your business.
We are the restaurant that specializes in Louisiana inspired cuisine and frozen beverages (daiquiris). We like to keep our business model with a New Orleans theme. We are committed to staying true to our heritage. This comes naturally because it runs through our veins. We have put a lot of time in our recipes. Our daiquiri mix is proprietary to us. They are made with real fruit and juices. This is why the taste can’t be duplicated. We also worked closely with the alcohol providers to create a taste that compliments our concentrates. Our wings and fish is also a huge hit!
We are proud to able to the employer of over 40 employees. Have one of the best partnerships anyone can ask for. Here we are, three inner city kids, representing a city and culture away from home and doing it the right way. We have changed the daiquiri business in the State of Texas.
We’ve created a let your hair down atmosphere. You can sing as loud as you like, dance at your table our just people watch. We have what you need to stimulate that inner soul. You’ll leave with an experience. A destination location. Like they say, “we create memories.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have always staled about expanding. We are less than a month from opening the Keller, TX location. Shortly after, we’ll be opening a location in Waco, TX. We will focus our efforts on maximizing the growth of these locations before expanding further. We will provide consulting for those who are looking to open this type of business.
Contact Info:
- Address: Corporate Office:
684 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste. 100
Grand Prairie, TX 75051 - Website: www.thedaiquirishoppe.com
- Phone: 972-262-7467
- Email: info@thedaiquirishoppe.com
- Instagram: @daiquirishoppe
- Facebook: facebook/thedaiquieishoppe
- Twitter: @daiquirishoppe
- Yelp: the daiquiri shoppe
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