By: Richard L. Smith
I have interviewed hundreds of people over the years, but every so often I walk away from a conversation knowing it was about something much bigger than the questions I asked.
That happened when I stepped inside the Cold Stone Creamery in Union Township on Thursday morning.
Standing behind the counter with Jimmy and Tiffany Barreau, I expected to talk about ice cream and the opening of their new Planet Smoothie franchise.
Instead, I found myself listening to a story about sacrifice, setbacks, resilience and two entrepreneurs who refused to let difficult times define them.
Five years ago, I was there when the couple unlocked the doors to their Union Township business with a dream. Since then, they've weathered the loss of a business partner, employee turnover, economic uncertainty and the financial challenges that squeezed so many small businesses in 2025.
Through it all, they never stopped believing in what they were building.
This Saturday, June, 27, 2026, they'll celebrate not only five years in business but also the grand opening of Planet Smoothie inside their existing Cold Stone location—a milestone that represents another leap of faith for two people who have made perseverance part of their business model.
I had the opportunity to spend time inside the Cold Stone Creamery in Union, not sitting across from Jimmy and Tiffany in a conference room, but standing behind the counter where thousands of customers have been greeted over the last five years.
It didn't take long to realize this wasn't just another franchise story. It was the story of two people who bet on themselves, weathered difficult seasons, and built something that has become part of the fabric of the Union community.
As Jimmy and Tiffany prepare to celebrate five years at their Union Township location, they're also opening the doors to an exciting new chapter.
Customers will soon be able to ‘official’ enjoy not only their favorite Cold Stone creations but also smoothies and açaí bowls from the new Planet Smoothie operating inside the same location, giving customers more choices under one roof.
As Jimmy reflected on the journey, he never tried to make entrepreneurship sound glamorous.
"There were ups and downs," he told me. "Nothing was easy."
One of the biggest challenges came early. After opening the business, his original partnership came to an end, leaving him to navigate the company on his own. Rather than walking away, he stayed focused on the bigger picture.
"I just kept going," he said. "I knew we would get through it."
Listening to him, it became clear that perseverance—not ice cream—has been the real foundation of this business.
Before franchising, Jimmy built a successful career as an engineer, contractor and developer. He put that career on pause because he believed whatever he devoted himself to deserved his complete attention.
Today, he still considers himself an engineer, but he has poured that same passion into building a business that has become much more than a place to grab dessert.
One statement Jimmy made stayed with me throughout our conversation.
"People don't just come because it's Cold Stone. They come because they know who's behind it."
That philosophy explains why you'll regularly find him supporting schools, libraries, youth organizations, chambers of commerce and community events throughout Union and neighboring towns.
He believes that if you want people to support your business, you first have to support your community.
His wife, Tiffany, has watched that commitment from the very beginning.
Although she describes herself as being the "silent partner" for years, she has always been deeply involved behind the scenes—helping with planning, administration, employee development, team-building and countless late-night strategy sessions after the store closed.
Now, with the launch of Planet Smoothie, she's stepping into a much more visible leadership role.
"Cold Stone has been his baby," she told me with a smile. "Planet Smoothie will be mine."
And good LORD, that Mango Acaii Bowl she made me at the end of the interview was SINFULLY DELICIOUS at best.
One thing I appreciated most during our conversation was how honest they were about the realities of owning a business. They didn't pretend every year was successful.
In fact, they admitted that 2025 was one of the toughest years they have experienced. Inflation slowed customer spending. Equipment unexpectedly broke down.
Employee turnover remained constant as college students graduated or changed schedules. Even with the strength of a nationally recognized franchise, they explained that success is never guaranteed.
People often assume a franchise automatically succeeds.
Jimmy quickly challenged that idea.
“You still have to earn every customer," he explained.
Customer service, community involvement and consistency are what keep people walking through the doors—not simply the name on the building.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of our conversation had nothing to do with sales or profits.
Jimmy has created a workplace where many young employees remain throughout their college careers. Several have worked there since the day the store opened.
To encourage them to stay focused on school, he made them a promise. Complete your college journey while working here, and you'll receive a $1,000 scholarship.
This weekend, the business will award thousands of dollars in scholarships to employees who stayed committed to both their education and the business.
That speaks volumes about the culture they've built.
For Jimmy and Tiffany, employees aren't simply part-time workers.
They're family.
The couple hosts monthly meetings, team-building activities and employee outings because they believe investing in people ultimately creates a better experience for every customer who walks through the doors.
Jimmy also shared something that many business owners struggle with.
He welcomes criticism. He doesn't ignore customer reviews. Instead, he uses them as opportunities to improve.
"You have to stay humble," he told me. "Criticism helps you get better."
That attitude has carried them through staffing shortages, changing corporate representatives, unexpected challenges and even a four-week shutdown earlier this year while they completely transformed part of the store to make room for Planet Smoothie.
Closing the business for an entire month was a gamble.
Children knocked on the windows wondering where their favorite ice cream shop had gone. Customers feared the business had closed for good.
Behind those locked doors, however, Jimmy was doing what engineers do best—building.
When the doors reopened, customers weren't just welcomed back to a renovated store. They were welcomed into the next chapter of a dream that continues to grow.
As I wrapped up my interview and looked around the store one last time, I realized this story wasn't really about ice cream.
It wasn't even about smoothies.It was about resilience.
Believing in your vision even when the odds seem stacked against you is key.
And perhaps most importantly, it was about understanding that while a franchise may have a nationally recognized name, it's the people behind the counter who make it feel like home.
Five years after opening their doors, Jimmy and Tiffany Barreau have proven that a franchise can still have the heart of a neighborhood business.
After spending time with them, I left believing their greatest success isn't measured by the number of ice cream creations they've served.
It's measured by the community they've built, the young people they've mentored, and the countless relationships they've created—one customer at a time.
Congratulations to Jimmy and Tiffany on five remarkable years. If the determination and passion I witnessed behind that counter are any indication, the next five years may be their best yet.