http://voyagedenver.com/interview/meet-leday-grant-mykings-icecream-skyland/

Today we’d like to introduce you to Le’Day Grant.

Le’Day, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Le’Day Grant, I was born in Denver and I am a Colorado native. I went to elementary school in Denver and then my mother moved us to Colorado Springs until the 10th grade. School was not a good memory for me. I always remember being bullied, called terrible names, picked on, racial slurs and most of all feeling my confidence and self-esteem diminish. My life strangely took a turn after our family took a road trip, which ended in a traumatic car accident resulting in one family member dying at the scene.

Somehow during this difficult and unforgettable tragedy, I was able to find my voice to speak for family members that couldn’t at the time, which stayed in my mind and sparked a strength I didn’t know I had. Because of this accident, I walked away with many injuries and fractures, resulting with me having to wear a HALO for eight weeks. Unfortunately, this did not end people’s cruel reactions towards me but almost amplified their insensitivity. This created a sense of embarrassment and isolation for me until one day I had another checkup at the doctor’s office, and I saw a basket of stickers. Something made me pick all the princess stickers out of the basket and then go home and decorate my HALO with them. I told myself “They are looking at a Princess”! From that day forward, the sky was the limit. Remarkably that Halo built my confidence. I rode the bus. I took walks, I went grocery shopping and PEOPLE didn’t bother me anymore. I share this story because what was tragic and painful with God’s grace and some princess stickers, I was able to transform my life internally and externally.

As a result, this gave me the courage to value my life, to dream, set goals, to believe in myself, to have a great attitude, to love, and to always smile and greet people with honesty and compassion. I finished school and have been on my own since I was 18. It wasn’t always easy; I made some mistakes and could have took the wrong way however, I was open to help and prayers. I believe things are an act of faith. I was helping a friend one day taking a walk around the Parkhill neighborhood and saw a sign. It was a “For Rent sign” and like those princess stickers, it changed my life, my thoughts were “ice cream”! Incredibly my journey has led me to become the real me, outgoing, confident, kind and the happy person I am today and unannounced even to myself the self-assurance to “open my own ice cream business”!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth, not at all! I can’t even count how many times I’ve been down to the Wellington Web building, having to navigate what was needed in order to become a legitimate business owner (permits, fees, licenses, etc.). This was all new to me, and I had to do it all on my own. I remember being so discouraged at one point I was ready to give up.

MyKings IceCream – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The shop is named after my two-year-old son MyKing. The Grand Opening for the shop was on March 1st, 2020, scarcely two weeks before the Covid-19 lockdown was ordered. Our mission at MyKings Icecream is helping build the community one scoop at a time.

I want to provide top of the line customer service while serving delicious ice cream and desserts. We serve a Detroit original “Superman” ice cream. My intent is to create a friendly place for the community to spend time with friends and family. I also want to utilize the space for special events such as Zumba fun, Lick and paints, financial literacy informational sessions, and generate time and space to provide community support resources, in addition to making space for other local business events and network opportunities.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as not giving up on myself! Attempting to do all things I dreamt of! Bumping my head and learning from my mistakes! Getting steps closer by what I fear! Accomplishing what I thought I could never do! Creating SMART goals and actually taking the steps to complete them! Never letting someone discourage me, making me believe that I CANT!!

Pricing:

• Scoops $2.50 and up
• Shakes $6.99
• Pints $7.49

Contact Info:

• Address: 2851 Colorado Blvd
  Denver, CO 80207
• Phone: 7204730475
• Email: mykingsicecream@gmail.com
• Instagram: mykingsicecream
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MyKingsIceCream
• Yelp: Mykings-ice-cream.business.site