KINGMAN – In a time when many small business owners wonder how the economy will handle the transition of leadership in this country and a pandemic, some are still are bracing for impact while relishing the glory of their success.
Nancy Villanueva opened the doors to Frozen Yogurt Island at 3880 Stockton Hill Road on Dec. 6, 2010. She’s since enjoyed astounding success while helping the community.
The 1985 Kingman High School graduate was born and raised in Kingman. She moved to Las Vegas right after high school, worked for Station Casino restaurants for 18 years, got married to her husband, Martin, and had three children. After nearly two decades of the hustle and bustle of the big city, it was time to move on.
“I’ve always liked Kingman and my family needed a change,” Villanueva said. “I was time to move home.”
Business plans were already in the works before the family set ground in September of 2010. After some entrepreneurial reconnaissance, the idea came to fruition.
“We noticed Kingman needed a dessert shop,” she said. “There was no Dairy Queen or Baskin-Robbins at the time. I knew that Kingman needed this and it would be a good fit.”
Frozen Yogurt Island is not a chain and Villanueva had a specific reason to independently own a business.
“Chains have too many rules and I wanted to make my own,” she said.
She and Martin made a few business deals and the shop was on the roll.
Having worked in the restaurant industry for more than two decades (she was also an employee for Señor Taco – which was next to the old Dairy Queen on StocktonHill Road that is now not far from the NEW Dairy Queen on Stockton Hill Road) and she knew what customers liked and what new trends they might like.
“It was the need for sweets,” Villanueva said. “We wanted something that can be run simply, self-served and a good product.
The business also contributes to the community to the community through financial efforts.
“We’ve raised over $40,000 for sports and fundraisers in the last ten years,” she said. “It’s important to support the people that support you. Without community support, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
The business was also the recipient of the Small Business Development Center 2015 Success Award winner.
Like with many small businesses this year, Frozen Yogurt Island is adapting to regulations and restrictions due to COVID-19.
Villanueva has five employees plus herself (six including Marin as a maintenance man). She has always practiced strict sanitation protocols – especially since the service is based on self-service. The store lost more than $25,000 after closing in April and the loss is grilled into her work ethic.
“We have been strong even through the pandemic,” she said. “We won’t close again.”
There are adaptations underway. Instead of allowing customers to create their own concoctions by hand (as is the staple for many frozen yogurt places), the staff might make orders at the customer’s request.
“We might make changes based on what this pandemic brings out,” Villanueva said.
She’s not sure what the future brings for her business now that the political tides are changing and COVID-19 restrictions are still lingering. She was optimistic in 2010, she’s optimistic now and has optimistic words for future entrepreneurs.
“With no risk, there’s no reward,” she said. “Always have a positive attitude about it. Negativity brings negativity.”
Villanueva has stuck to her guns.
“From day one we’ve had a motto above our door,” she said. “May have all who enter as guests leave as friends”
The saying has stuck to this day.
“We have made some good friends through this business,” Villanueva said. “We plan to continue to live by that motto forever.”
Keep track of Frozen Yogurt Island specials and activities at https://www.facebook.com/FrozenYogurtIsland or visit them on 3880 Stockton Hill Rd.
Aaron Ricca
