Lisa Emeric Inspires Mount Students With Her Entrepreneurial Journey

As part of Mount St. Dominic Academy's prestigious L.E.O. (Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Opportunity) program, students had the pleasure of hearing from Lisa Emeric, owner of Sweet Ice Queen, a successful food truck business. Emeric captivated the students with her remarkable story of transforming a spontaneous idea into a thriving enterprise, all while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

The spark for her business came during what Emeric described as an "aha" moment. One night, after weighing her options about going back to work after being home with her children, and feeling that corporate America wasn’t the right path for her, the former social worker and human resources professional decided she wanted to make a change. She said, "I'm going to buy an ice cream truck." By the next day, she had incorporated her business, drafted a plan, and even convinced her skeptical husband to support her dream—ultimately borrowing $20,000 from their children's college fund to buy her first truck.

Her journey was not without its challenges. She detailed how she found an old UPS truck that barely functioned and how her father, who raised her with a "figure it out" mentality, supported her in making it work. The experience highlighted her resourcefulness and determination, traits she credits to her upbringing.
Her father’s lessons of resilience—mowing lawns and carrying heavy equipment without complaint—played a significant role in shaping her approach to business. “If you really, really want something, don’t stop—go for it,” she emphasized to the students.

Lisa's strategy for success was innovative: she didn’t just target neighborhoods but focused on corporate clients, offering employee appreciation events featuring her ice cream truck. Today, she has contracts with companies like the New York Giants, Yankees, and Amazon, and her business thrives during the summer months, allowing her to enjoy a healthy work-life balance while raising her children.

The visit was part of Mount St. Dominic Academy’s prestigious L.E.O. program, a two-year intensive initiative that prepares students for college and career readiness through real-world business education. The program provides students with opportunities to collaborate with entrepreneurs, like Emeric, and includes mentorship, field trips, and the LionWorks "Shark Tank" competition, where students present their business ideas.

In sharing her story, Emeric left the L.E.O. students with one key message: “Let your passion guide you, and don’t let fear stand in your way.” She encouraged the students to trust themselves, lean into their ideas, and, most importantly, be willing to work hard at every level of their journey.
For more information on Lisa, visit https://yoursweetqueen.com/.