We are excited to collaborate with Smile Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream to provide a fantastic 10% discount!🍦🎉
About Smile Frozen Yogurt Ice Cream
Located in the heart of Utropolis Marketplace, Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Smile Frozen Yogurt has quickly become a favorite spot for dessert lovers. Founded by a local entrepreneur named Grace, this charming shop brings a unique twist to the frozen dessert scene, offering a delightful mix of frozen yogurt, pastries, breakfast options, and coffee.
The highlight of Smile’s menu is, of course, their delicious frozen yogurt ice cream. A medium-sized cup is priced at RM13, with an option to add your favorite toppings for just RM2 extra.For those looking for a more Instagram-worthy treat, Smile also offers their frozen yogurt in a charcoal cone for only RM4.50, adding a unique and trendy edge to your dessert experience.
But Smile isn’t just about frozen yogurt. Grace has curated a selection of freshly baked pastries, including croissants and many other pastries, perfect for pairing with their rich and aromatic coffee. Speaking of coffee, Smile offers an affordable and satisfying Americano for just RM4, making it an ideal spot for a quick breakfast or a midday pick-me-up.
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Read what Smile founder Grace talked about when we interviewed!
Q1: Okay, let’s start with a quick introduction. Could you tell us your name, your shop, what you do, and how long you’ve been around?
Grace: Sure! My name is Grace, and my café is located at Utropolis Glenmarie in Shah Alam. We’ve been open for about 7-8 months, and our main product started with frozen yogurt ice cream.
Q2: Could you share with us how the Smile brand got started?
Grace: I did the R&D, which took around 9 months, and it wasn’t easy. The idea came from my daughter, Sabrina, who is a huge fan of Froyo. At first, I didn’t even know what Froyo was until she explained it to me. The products in the market are quite expensive, and sometimes she had to wait weeks for promotions to get a good deal, and there were always long lines. That’s when I thought, maybe this is something I should try for myself.
Before that, I was involved in another business—I was a subcontractor for Top Glove for almost 20 years. The F&B industry is new to me, and it’s been quite challenging. That’s why it took almost 9 months of R&D to perfect the product. Plus, everything we offer is locally sourced.
Q3: Were you a Froyo lover before starting this business?
Grace: No, not at all! Like I said, I didn’t even know what Froyo was. But I’ve always loved ice cream, especially soft-serve ice cream. I got into Froyo through my daughter, and I realized it’s a healthier option, especially when enjoyed without the toppings.
Q4: Besides the R&D process, what has been the biggest challenge for you as a new business owner?
Grace: There have been many challenges, from managing product lines and stock to finding the right location. Patience is key because you never know how things will turn out. It’s been a challenge in every aspect of the business.
Q5: What has been the highlight or happiest moment of your journey with Smile so far?
Grace: The best moments are when customers come in for the first time and try our products. You can see it on their faces—they smile, and that’s exactly what our brand stands for. We want them to leave happy and satisfied. Many even compare us to bigger brands, and some say we’re strong competitors, which is very encouraging for us. We started by giving out samples, and from the response, we knew we had a good product. Seeing customers happy makes it all worthwhile.
Q6: What makes Smile’s Froyo different from other Froyo brands?
Grace: One key ingredient in our Froyo is live cultures, which promote gut health. It’s essentially probiotics. Without the toppings, our Froyo is quite healthy. But of course, once you add toppings, it becomes sweeter and slightly less healthy.
Q7: You’ve mentioned how much you enjoy seeing customers smile. Do you have any core values that you hold when it comes to customer service?
Grace: One of our main values is cleanliness, not just for show but as a core part of our operations. From the kitchen to the front of the house, everything has to be clean and fresh. Maintaining this standard is tough, especially when training staff, but we refresh our guidelines every few months to ensure quality.
Q8: Can you describe what a typical day looks like at Smile from opening to closing?
Grace: Our day starts with baking and preparing the froyo machines. The machines are crucial for us, and we clean them thoroughly every night. During closing, we ensure everything is spotless, and in the morning, we make sure the machines are ready for use again. We take cleanliness and maintenance seriously.
Q9: You’re located near a school. How has it been being part of this community?
Grace: I didn’t expect much at first, but being part of this community has been great. We’ve started seeing familiar faces and repeat customers, which is a good sign. It means our product is well-loved. We also aim to attract customers from outside the local community.
Q10: Why do you think your regular customers keep coming back?
Grace: They love the freshness and taste, and our prices are affordable. We also use high-quality ingredients, like Arabica beans, which are more expensive, but we still keep our prices reasonable.
Q11: Have you had any memorable encounters with customers that stand out?
Grace: Yes! One customer, a bit nervous at first, approached me about franchising. He told me he was a local Chinese youth and was very interested in the brand after trying our product. It was a pleasant surprise, and I’m confident that once we establish a stronger foundation, we can expand.
Q12: What is your vision for Smile in the next 5 years?
Grace: In 5 years, I hope Smile grows steadily. We’re in a growing community, and management has been supportive, even providing us with vouchers for customers. Our goal is to continue expanding and strengthening our brand over time.
Q13: You’ve been experimenting with different menu items. Can you tell us about how you come up with these combinations?
Grace: Froyo is our main product, but we wanted to offer more, so we introduced items like croissants and drinks. We have combos that provide more value for money, and we’ve been experimenting with waffles recently. The response has been great!
Q14: Lastly, do you have any advice for someone looking to start a business like yours?
Grace: There’s a lot to consider. I’ve spoken to students at INTI and Taylor’s College who ask why they should start a business at such a young age. The most important thing is strong R&D. You can’t just start a business and expect results in 6 months. R&D is crucial to building a strong foundation and having confidence in your product.
Q15: Thank you for sharing! Before we wrap up, do you have any final shoutouts?
Grace: I’d like to thank my team, especially my family—my husband and kids. They’ve been incredibly supportive. It’s truly a family business, and we wouldn’t be where we are without everyone’s contribution.
Q16: Lastly, tell us your name, store location, and invite people to check out Smile.
Grace: My name is Grace Ng, and my café is Smile, located at Utropolis Glenmarie in Shah Alam. Come and try our frozen yogurt, made with live cultures
