If there’s one thing we love, it’s a cool local gem with an even cooler story. When we first saw the pink interior and unique art inside San Diego ice cream shop Stella Jean’s, we were hooked. But once we got to chat with owners and partners, Steven Torres and Gan Suebsarakham, we knew this place was special. Read on to learn more about how Stella Jean’s came to be, the beautiful community they are building and how Steven and Gan have succeeded at opening a business as a couple.

How did Stella Jean’s come to be? Has this always been a dream of yours?

Gan always wanted to own his own ice cream shop. Before opening Stella Jean’s, he’d make ice cream on his own time in our kitchen. So when the space next to Pop Pie Co. became available, we knew we had to take advantage of that perfect situation. Funny story, Stella Jean’s is actually named after one of our best friend’s rescue pit bulls. While Stella is no longer with us in person, her spirit lives on in the shop and the mural of her and her fur-sibling Bobo holds a special place in our hearts.

We’re in love with the look and vibe of the place. It feels very creative. Did you tap into a lot of creative energy when designing it?

Absolutely. We’re very into creating a cohesive brand, and we’re also into tapping into the abilities of our friends. One of those dear friends is Lauren Asta, who’s done all the artwork for both Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s. We wanted to create a clean-yet-welcoming feel, something that was soft, but not too feminine. The mix of black-and-white really jives with the pastel accent colors, and Lauren’s artwork helped the whole look become really engaging. It’s a mix of classic shiplap and fun pop culture that totally encapsulates the Stella Jean’s brand.

What is it about Stella Jean’s that makes it different from other modern day ice cream shops?

First and foremost, it’s our staff. We’re all incredibly passionate about the product we’re creating, about being innovative and creative and about building up our Stella Jean’s family together. That pure passion is what keeps our guests coming back and what has really fueled our growth. Also, I’d say our plant-based ice cream flavors are pretty special. We’ve worked hard to perfect our craft, experimented with a variety of non-dairy “milks” and now we’re really churning out some delicious, unique vegan ice cream flavors that you won’t find anywhere else.

You have some really exotic flavors. Where does the inspiration come from?

That’s a huge nod to Chef Gan. He’s from Thailand, so he’ll often incorporate the spices and flavors from Southeast Asia. He also loves to travel and incorporate the flavors of wherever he visits into his creations in the kitchen back home. Additionally, he’s big into creating recipes that bring back memories from childhood—whether that be a certain soda, particular meal or family tradition. He loves to play into nostalgia when it comes to creating new flavors.

We’re all incredibly passionate about the product we’re creating, about being innovative and creative and about building up our Stella Jean’s family together. That pure passion is what keeps our guests coming back and what has really fueled our growth.

How has it been launching a business as a couple? 

Honestly, it’s been great. Having two people focused on the same goal and bringing the same energy, but from different angles, has allowed us to not only grow our business but to also grow individually as entrepreneurs. We’ve heard the horror stories, but right now, it’s just the best thing because we’re going through this together and working toward the same goals.

Tell us about your love story. How did you meet?

Gan and I met a long time ago, when I first moved back to San Diego from San Antonio. We actually met online, went out to eat (imagine that), enjoyed some good food and the rest is kismet. It was truly just meant to be.

Having two people focused on the same goal and bringing the same energy, but from different angles, has allowed us to not only grow our business but to also grow individually as entrepreneurs.

Your shop is in a really fun part of San Diego. Are there any other creative businesses in the area that you love?

Oh, yeah. There’s a lot going on that we’re super excited about. But when it comes to creativity within the design of a restaurant, Consortium Holdings takes the cake. Every new concept of the restaurant is so well-executed and designed, it’s just set the standard here in San Diego. Additionally, the folks at The Friendly have kind of changed the game when it comes to the food service model. It’s a new thing where the cooks are also the servers and if people want it…well then they have to come and get it. I love to see new places coming in and doing things differently.

What has been the best part (so far) of opening Stella Jean’s?

The community we’ve built…hands down. Whether that be all the regulars we’ve amassed since opening and who are always the first in line to try our newest flavors. Or our own Stella Jean’s team members who we’ve seen grow into management and leadership positions. That’s really where the payback is for us—having an impact on the lives of our team and our community.

Where do you hope Stella Jean’s goes from here? Will we be seeing more locations or new businesses in the future?

We’re definitely looking to expand and grow our brand. Wherever we can fill a void in the community, we want to be there. But for the immediate future, we’re just going to keep grinding and keep pushing and take advantage of expansion should the opportunity present itself.