Why Is Tyra Banks Running An Ice-Cream Shop At Washington DC? Everything To Know About Her Venture

In Washington, D.C., she opened her initial ice cream shop with a concrete building in the US. Her team announced plans to expand the business to Australia and other nations in the near future.

Although Washington D.C. isn’t renowned for entertainment or unconventional start-ups, Banks decided to settle there since it is where her brother Devin resides. He is a 28-year-old Air Force veteran now employed on Capitol Hill. In an interview with The Washington Post, Banks shared that they have spent decades living in various places, making it delightful for her to be near him.

Another major reason for choosing the city is the “Dream” part of the venture’s name.

What is the meaning of Smize & Dream?

Tyra Banks came up with the term “Smize” in 2009 on America’s Next Top Model as a way to describe the act of smiling with your eyes. This concept is linked to the charitable side of her business, symbolized by the name “Dream.”

Based on Banks’ account, the company holds deep connections to her mother, Carolyn. They used to enjoy weekly ice cream treats from Häagen-Dazs when they were younger. Unfortunately, her mother had to work two jobs to afford their move from a small apartment in Los Angeles.

In Washington, D.C., the “Dream” project of the initiative is dedicated to creating a learning space for youth, centered around hospitality entrepreneurship and specifically, opening a non-profit ice cream center. This business venture will contribute to D.C.’s culinary education by providing underprivileged kids with instruction on selling ice cream and diverse roles within the hospitality industry. The choice to debut this pop-up in Washington, D.C. stems from the desire to build partnerships with local businesses and government entities before embarking on a global expansion.

One of the photo booths at the shop reads, “Never too old to dream. Never too young to smize.”

What makes Smize & Dream unique?

At Smize & Dream’s ice cream parlor, I’ve taken it upon myself to simplify the overwhelming experience of choosing a flavor. By dividing our offerings into distinct “flavor zones,” I aim to make your decision-making process more enjoyable. The first zone is named “comfort.” Here, you’ll find familiar favorites like classic vanilla and Chocolate GooGoo Cake with pudding-infused lava cake pieces. For me, these flavors evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth, reminiscent of childhood memories.

In the second place, this area boasts a “inquisitive” vibe, featuring tastes like StrawNana Pudding and Purple Cookie Mon-Star. Lastly, the “unconventional” zone is bursting with adventurous flavors infused with local flair. Here, you’ll find Cap Hill Crunch, a Cap’n Crunch cereal ice cream blend with toffee and Cap’n Crunch-coated French toast. Woodley Park Thang offers a refreshing take on lemon ice cream with shortbread cookies and blueberry jam. Lastly, the unique vegan option, Chocolate Cookies and Cream, is made using coconut and cashew milks.

Smize & Dream boasts a distinctive touch with its “surprise smize” instead of typical toppings. The reasoning behind this is that the founders believe their flavors are unmatched. Consequently, each order includes a hidden treat – a truffle – at the base of the cup or cone. Flavor choices consist of a Chocolate Fudge Brownie, coated in dark chocolate and adorned with shimmering purple sugar; a Cookie Butta covered in semisweet chocolate and sprinkled with crushed Biscoff cookies; and a weekly rotating truffle option.

When Banks thought of starting this business, she pondered, “How can I embodie my mom’s values in dreams and her unwavering determination to make them a reality?” She then coined the term ‘smize surprise.’ So while you delve deeper, reflect on your dream – not just weight loss – and trace its origins.