Today we’d like to introduce you to LEDAY GRANT.
Hi LEDAY, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Le’Day Grant, and I am the owner of MyKings IceCream, a community-focused ice cream shop in Denver. My journey into business ownership was not traditional. Before opening MyKings, I spent years working in banking and lending, helping individuals and businesses navigate their financial goals. While I enjoyed helping people, I always dreamed of creating something of my own that would bring joy to families and create a lasting impact in my community.
The inspiration behind MyKings IceCream came from my oldest son, MyKing. When I first started the business in 2019, I wanted to build something meaningful for my family while creating a welcoming space where people of all ages could connect. As my family grew, so did the meaning behind the name. Today, “MyKings” represents all four of my sons and the legacy I hope to build for them.
We officially opened our storefront in March 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Like many small businesses, we faced uncertainty from the very beginning. There were moments when I questioned whether we would make it through. As a single mother raising four boys while running a business, there were plenty of challenges, but I remained committed to our mission: building community one scoop at a time.
Over the years, MyKings IceCream has grown into much more than an ice cream shop. We’ve become a gathering place for families, schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood organizations. We offer over 50 flavors of ice cream, specialty desserts, catering services, and community events, but what makes us special is the experience. We want every customer who walks through our doors to feel welcome, valued, and connected.
Today, I continue to focus on growing the business while staying true to the reason I started. Whether it’s partnering with local schools, supporting youth programs, hosting community events, or simply creating childhood memories for families, MyKings IceCream is about more than dessert, it’s about bringing people together.
Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. As a first-generation business owner and Denver native, I’ve learned that entrepreneurship requires resilience, faith, and a willingness to keep showing up even when things get difficult. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has helped shape both me and the business into what we are today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.
One of the biggest obstacles was opening my storefront in March 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many small business owners, I suddenly faced uncertainty about whether people would even be able to come into the store. I had invested my time, money, and energy into a dream, and almost immediately I was forced to adapt to circumstances no one could have predicted.
Another challenge has been balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. I am a single parent raising four boys, and there have been many days when I was managing school schedules, football practice, business operations, marketing, bookkeeping, inventory, and customer service all at the same time. Owning a small business often means wearing every hat, especially in the beginning.
As a first-generation business owner, I also had to learn many things through experience. I didn’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I didn’t have a roadmap. There were times when I had to figure out everything from permits and taxes to hiring staff and creating systems as I went. Some lessons were learned the hard way, but they helped me become a stronger business owner.
Physical and financial challenges have been part of the journey as well. Our location has limitations, including aging infrastructure, limited parking, and the need for improvements such as better signage and HVAC. Like many small businesses, finding the resources to invest in growth while maintaining day-to-day operations can be difficult.
What has kept me going is the support of the community and my commitment to creating something meaningful. Every challenge has reinforced why I started MyKings IceCream in the first place. When I see families making memories, kids excited about their favorite flavors, or community organizations choosing to partner with us, it reminds me that the struggle has been worth it.
The road has been far from perfect, but resilience, faith, and a willingness to keep moving forward have helped me overcome each obstacle and continue building something I’m proud of.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Welcome to MyKings!
MyKings IceCream is a community focused ice cream shop in Denver dedicated to creating memorable experiences and bringing people together. We offer over 50 ice cream flavors, specialty desserts, banana pudding, shakes, floats, snow cones, and catering services for schools, nonprofits, businesses, and private events.
What sets us apart is our commitment to community. Our mission, “Building the community one scoop at a time,” guides everything we do. We believe an ice cream shop can be more than a place to grab a treat. It can be a place where families connect, neighbors gather, and lasting memories are made.
As a Black woman-owned business and first-generation entrepreneur, I’m most proud of the welcoming, family-oriented brand we’ve built. Our tagline, “Activate Your Childhood Memories,” reflects the joy and nostalgia we hope every customer experiences.
At MyKings, our greeting is simple: “Welcome to MyKings!” It’s more than a phrase it’s an invitation to feel at home, make memories, and be part of our community.
What matters most to you?
First thought was my boys!!! What matters most to me is family, community, and creating something that has a lasting impact. My children are a huge part of why I started MyKings, and I want them to see what it looks like to build something from the ground up and serve others along the way. The impact I have on them, and everyone watching!
I also care deeply about creating spaces where people feel welcomed and connected. “Welcome to MyKings” is more than a greeting, it represents how I want people to feel when they walk through our doors. I want MyKings to be a place where people can make memories, feel seen, and know they belong.
Ultimately, I want to build something that my children can be proud of and that continues to positively impact the community long after I started it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mykingsicecream.com
- Instagram: MYKINGSICECREAM
