Tamara Keefe’s Post

I'm thrilled to share this recent article featuring my journey with Clementine's Ice Cream and our beloved city of St. Louis. Moving here from Southern California in 2008 was one of the best decisions I ever made, despite the initial skepticism from my friends. St. Louis welcomed me with open arms and has become my true home, not just for living but for thriving as an entrepreneur. The article touches on an important issue: the underestimation of St. Louis’s economic potential. Too often, our region doesn't get the recognition it deserves for its robust economy and dynamic workforce. We are a powerhouse in the heartland, driving innovation and generating significant revenue, yet misconceptions persist. Like I say in the article: “We are an economic driver in this country and nobody knows it.” As business leaders, it's our responsibility to change this narrative. We must highlight the strengths and opportunities that make St. Louis a fertile ground for growth and success. This means celebrating our successes, supporting local businesses, and fostering an environment where new ventures can flourish. St. Louis has everything needed to be a major economic driver: a talented workforce, a supportive community, and a spirit of innovation. It’s time to tell the world about the incredible potential that exists here. If you’re considering expanding or starting your business, look no further than St. Louis — a city of opportunity, resilience, and unmatched community spirit. Let’s work together to amplify St. Louis's story, showcasing it as a vibrant, innovative, and economically powerful region. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to ensure our city gets the spotlight it deserves. Read or listen to the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwv2BSFe #Entrepreneurship #StLouis #EconomicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #STLMade

Before founding Clementine’s Ice Cream, I found myself in a draining and unfulfilling corporate job. Every day, I felt my happiness and passion slipping away. However, my friends saw my deep love for making ice cream and the pure joy that came from sharing it with others. Their unwavering support was the catalyst that pushed me to take the leap of faith and start my own business. The journey of entrepreneurship is anything but easy, especially for women. It’s a path riddled with stress, uncertainty, and often a sense of isolation. During countless nights filled with self-doubt, financial worries, and the immense pressure I placed on myself to succeed, I realized just how crucial it was to have a strong support system. Friends, family, and mentors became my pillars, helping me navigate through the challenges. One of the most transformative experiences on this journey has been my involvement with the Tory Burch Foundation. This incredible organization connected me with mentors and fellow women CEOs who have been instrumental in guiding me through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. I am eternally grateful for their wisdom and support, and I cherish every opportunity I get to give back to this community. Understanding the importance of mental health support, especially for women entrepreneurs, the Tory Burch Foundation has partnered with BetterHelp to provide fellows with vouchers for three months of donated therapy services. From my personal experience, I cannot stress enough how vital it is to seek support. It is a sign of strength, not weakness. Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking care of your mental health is essential for sustaining your journey. If you are a member of the TBF Fellows community, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this incredible resource. To all my fellow female business owners, remember to prioritize your well-being so you can keep being the inspiring, badass entrepreneurs that this world needs! #Entrepreneurship #SelfCare #ToryBurchFellow

I’m absolutely thrilled to share this feature of Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery in the May edition of Clayton City Lifestyle Magazine! To be highlighted alongside other local gems in the Clayton community is an honor. One of our first ice cream parlours is in Clayton on DeMun, and we’ve always had incredible support from this community. If you’re not familiar with Clementine’s, or haven’t heard the story of how I became the “queen of ice cream,”  reading this article is a great way to get to know us! Here’s a sneak peek:  🔹 We are the only ice cream maker in the state of Missouri that is all-natural. 🔹 If there’s a pie, cake or cookie in our recipe, we make it, bake it and put it in it. 🔹 Ice cream changed my life — twice. Thank you to Robin Seaton Jefferson for the opportunity to share our story with your readers and to Chris Ryan for capturing some gorgeous photos. Also, I would not be here without the incredible team I get to work with every day. Thank you for pushing the boundaries of ice cream innovation with me! If you haven’t yet, you can read the full story online here: https://lnkd.in/d34n-_Nk. #Entrepreneurship #STLMade

I am incredibly grateful to Cynthia Kirkpatrick, CPA, CFP® for creating such a meaningful podcast for women entrepreneurs and for inviting me to share my experience. Cynthia has established a supportive community through The She Lift Project, LLC, which empowers successful women to share wisdom, build networks, and support each other through our professional challenges. During our chat, I shared my transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship at Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery. It was a leap that involved tough sacrifices, but it led to profound personal and professional fulfillment. I hope my story inspires other women to embrace risk and consider career paths that truly align with your passions — as long as you’re willing to make sacrifices. To entrepreneurs seeking insights and encouragement, this podcast is for you. https://lnkd.in/gPVxMv2a #Entrepreneurship #WomenSupportingWomen

Sometimes you have to sing while doing hard things. (Even if you’re a little off-key 😉) While the people around me enjoyed the view from our tram ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto in Palm Springs, CA, I was facing my deathly fear of heights and found a new way to cope: singing! Fear often stands between us and breathtaking experiences. So, I decided to take a deep breath and focus on the song playing over the tram’s speakers — thankfully, it was one of the best songs of the 80s. Suddenly, my fear was gone and I was having fun. At that moment, music was my refuge. It gave me comfort and a sense of control. Music gave me the power to transform an anxiety-ridden tram ride into a moment of joy. We all have our own coping mechanisms — whether it’s deep breathing, talking to a friend, or even talking ourselves through the process. By opening up about our fears and the creative ways we overcome them, we can help so many others who may be living with the same fear — a fear which could be holding them back from experiencing the best things in life. What is your biggest fear? (And why is it public speaking?) What are some strategies you’ve tried to work through your fears? Share in the comments!

In the hustle of entrepreneurial life, it’s the unexpected moments of kindness and thoughtfulness that truly make a difference. Recently, I was surprised with a package from Lauren Blanco, a fellow badass female CEO who I met through the Tory Burch Foundation fellowship. Lauren is Co-Founder and CEO at Markham & Fitz Chocolate, a company in Bentonville, AR, known for their craft chocolate bars made from scratch with ethically sourced ingredients — a chocolate-lover's dream. Inside the beautifully wrapped package was a thoughtful note, a fruity dark chocolate bar, and a box of truffles — which, I must confess, did not last long enough to be photographed! The gesture was simple yet profoundly heartwarming. It reminded me of the incredible support network we women entrepreneurs create and sustain together. In the note, Lauren mentions self-care, which got me thinking about what self-care really means. So often we talk about self-care in terms of what we can do for ourselves to recharge and rejuvenate. But self-care can also extend into how we contribute to the well-being of others. Those small acts of kindness can have a big, bright impact on someone’s day. How can we spread more self-love and care within our communities, particularly among fellow women in business? Thank you, Lauren, for inspiring me to pay this kindness forward. Uplifting each other doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Even amidst our busy schedules and responsibilities, it is possible to take a moment to sprinkle a little love and happiness. #Entrepreneurship #WomenSupportingWomen #SelfCare #ToryBurchFellow #KindnessMatters

On Monday, we took a break from the scoops to pause, come together, and experience something special as a team. We believe any good excuse to bring people together is worth exploring, and what better way to share in the awe of a solar eclipse than with root beer floats and ice cream cones — adding a sweet touch to the day’s excitement. We also provided eclipse-viewing glasses for everyone, ensuring we could safely enjoy the view together. As we stood side by side, with our eyes to the skies, we were reminded of the power of collective experiences. They break down barriers and foster a sense of belonging and community. This is what we strive for at Clementine’s — to be a team that works together AND a family that grows together. Our eclipse watch party was filled with laughter, wonder, and decadent ice cream. We’ll keep looking for moments like these that bring us together and remind us of the importance of finding joy. Who did you experience the eclipse with on Monday? I hope it brought you closer together as it did for our “Clementeam!” #SolarEclipse #STL

Building a strong team is about more than accomplishment and achievement. It’s also about fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. How do you foster these things as a leader? By hiring the right people. When hiring at Clementine’s Ice Cream, we look for people who embody our unique and carefully crafted Cone Values! 🍦 We Are All In: We pour our hearts into every scoop, every smile, and every interaction. 🍦 We Are Kind: Kindness is the warmth you feel when you walk through our doors and the love that lingers long after the last bite. 🍦 We Are Creators of Cool: We’re not just serving ice cream; we are crafting experiences, memories, and a little bit of magic. Our Cone Values keep us grounded, reminding us every day of who we want to be and what we want our customers to experience. Each Clementine’s ice cream parlor is meant to be a sanctuary of joy, creativity, and kindness. You can feel it as soon as you step in the room — that unique, elevated, organoleptic experience. Fostering this welcoming experience for our customers begins with fostering a welcoming culture for our employees. We believe in creating a culture where every team member feels valued and supported, and building a strong team based on mutual respect and shared values. This approach goes a long way towards encouraging and empowering each team member to uphold their individual role and responsibilities. Skills can be taught; attitude cannot. A successful team is not just about what we achieve together, but also how we support each other along the way. Leaders and business owners, how do you build a strong team? What do you consider essential to hiring the right people and setting them up for success? #BusinessOwner #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

In February, our “Clementeam” attended the Clayton Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards Celebration, where we were honored to accept the award for Excellence in Retail/Service. Thank you to the Clayton Chamber of Commerce for hosting such a spectacular event and for shining a spotlight on our team’s dedication to serving the Clayton community. Since 2017, our Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery location in the DeMun neighborhood has added a hint of sweetness to the lively Business District of Clayton. Brimming with bustling business, top-notch restaurants, and charming boutiques, this historic neighborhood features some of the best St. Louis has to offer within only a few blocks — and we are so grateful to be part of it. Whether crafting the perfect cone for guests to enjoy after a stroll through Forest Park or dishing up one of our signature flavors to complement a movie date at Hi-Pointe Theater, we deliver happiness, one scoop at a time. I’d also like to send my congratulations to the Business Person of the Year, John Kemper of Commerce Bank, and the Cornerstone Award recipient, Gershman Commercial Real Estate. Well-deserved awards for you both, and an amazing evening celebrating the business leaders who push our community forward. #STLMade Mike Weiss Rene Knott

Thank you, Raj Tut, for giving St. Louis business owners a platform where we can share our stories and inspire each other. It was a pleasure to join your podcast and chat with you about my journey as an entrepreneur. Raj and I talked about the business behind Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery, everything from our “Cone Values” and building an intelligent, supportive team to why we stick to making ice cream — even in the winter season. (Hint: We avoid any distractions that keep us from making the best ice cream possible.) To hear our full conversation — and find out why I say ice cream has changed my life TWICE, tune in to episode 13 of Raj’s Country Club Conversations here: https://lnkd.in/gJvjRHsH. After you listen, come back to this post and share your biggest takeaway, or let me know which aspects of building and running a business you would like to hear me talk about more! #STLMade #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur