When you think of ice cream, you probably imagine childhood summers, late-night cravings, or the joy of discovering a new flavor. For Linh Le, ice cream is more than just a dessert, it’s an experience, a brand, and a way to connect with people. Her journey from dentistry to entrepreneurship is not the typical startup story, but it’s one that shows how passion, simplicity, and authenticity can build a thriving business.

This is the first article in our series of success stories from F&B founders, where we share their journeys with the hope of offering you valuable insights and lessons to help you start or continue your own path.

Linh’s background wasn’t in food and beverage. She studied science and dentistry, but deep down, she always felt drawn to business. “I love the idea of building something, creating a brand, and making people happy through what I sell,” she explains. Ice cream became the perfect medium for that vision. It wasn’t just about serving a sweet treat—it was about creating moments of joy.

Unlike many entrepreneurs who spend months buried in market research and business models, Linh kept her approach simple. She believed in one truth: if customers love your product enough to keep coming back, you will succeed. Instead of overcomplicating things, she focused on making high-quality ice cream, crafting a fun atmosphere, and connecting with her customers. That philosophy became the foundation of Sub Zero Ice Cream.

When Linh opened her ice cream shop, she didn’t choose a busy downtown street or a high-traffic shopping area. Instead, she set up in a quiet residential neighborhood in Winnipeg. a decision many initially saw as a disadvantage.

In the F&B industry, foot traffic is often seen as essential. Without a prime location, most would expect a business to struggle. But Linh took a different approach. She focused on building a strong brand and delivering a high-quality product, believing that if the experience was good enough, customers would come. And they did.

Over time, people began traveling across the city just to try her ice cream. What started as a small neighborhood shop became a destination. Her story is a reminder that while location matters in F&B, it’s not everything. A product people truly love can create its own demand and drive long-term success.

Before opening Sub Zero, Linh did not come from an F&B background. Instead of waiting until she felt fully prepared, she learned by doing.

She built her skills step by step:

• Learned customer service, budgeting, and team management
• Experimented with flavors and product ideas
• Trained staff and built her social media presence

Her approach was practical and action-driven. She focused on what mattered most:

• Budgeting for equipment and ingredients
• Hiring reliable people
•  Designing a menu that balanced creativity with efficiency

More than just selling ice cream, Linh aimed to create a unique experience. Her willingness to test, adjust, and improve became one of her strongest advantages.

Linh approached finance with simplicity and control. She focused on a few key habits:

• Separating personal and business finances
• Monitoring cash flow daily
• Maintaining an emergency fund

This gave her stability, even in uncertain periods.

However, she later realized she had been too cautious in the beginning. She delayed investing in better equipment and additional staff because of cost concerns. Over time, she learned that smart investments are essential for growth. If starting again, she would invest earlier and more confidently.

Linh did not treat her menu as a simple list of flavors. She designed it as part of the overall customer experience.

Her menu strategy focused on both cost control and differentiation:

• Calculating ingredient costs carefully
• Studying competitor pricing
• Using bulk purchasing to control expenses

She also introduced seasonal specials and limited-time flavors to keep the menu fresh and engaging. By balancing cost control with creativity, she ensured that customers were not just buying ice cream, but a memorable experience.

For Linh, the team is at the core of the business. She hires for attitude first, believing skills can be trained but mindset cannot.

She creates a positive and supportive work environment by:

• Celebrating team milestones
• Rewarding staff after long shifts
• Ensuring fair tips and recognition

By working alongside her team, she sets the standard for service and problem solving. The result is a team that enjoys their work, which directly improves the customer experience.

Linh views customer service as more than solving problems. It is about creating a positive and welcoming experience.

Her approach is simple and consistent:

• Listen carefully
• Acknowledge the issue
• Offer a clear solution
• Follow up when needed

By handling feedback this way, she turns negative experiences into opportunities to build trust and loyalty.

Interestingly, Linh hasn’t faced a major business crisis. Her sales have grown steadily since day one. She attributes this to her mindset: challenges aren’t failures, they’re opportunities to improve. Even in the early days, making a single sale felt like success. That perspective keeps her motivated and resilient.

Running an F&B business is demanding, but Linh created balance by building strong systems and a reliable team.

She can step back when needed, spend time with family, and travel while still managing operations. For her, balance is not about working less, but about working smarter.

By trusting her team and structuring her operations well, she avoids burnout and maintains long term control over her business.

Linh’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is both practical and inspiring:

Looking at Linh’s journey, several things stand out as unique:

Linh Le’s Sub Zero Ice Cream is more than a shop—it’s a brand built on authenticity, passion, and connection. Her journey shows that you don’t need a perfect plan or a prime location to succeed. What matters is creating something people love, telling your story, and building a team that shares your vision.

From science to scoops, Linh’s path is proof that entrepreneurship is about more than business—it’s about heart. And in every scoop of Sub Zero Ice Cream, you can taste the difference.

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