Q&A: Cooling Down with Ladyfingrs

Photography by Loamis Rodriguez on October 10th, 2017 in Editorials, Lifestyle

Miami, FL – October 3, 2017 – There’s one thing that is pretty standard here in Miami: there’s always a need to cool down. That’s where Ladyfingrs comes in. This unique pop-shop creates natural and handmade ice cream popsicles that are bringing a refreshing new spin on our standard chilly treats. It all began with two girls from fashion school and a love for ice cream. After working in the corporate world for several years, they both decided that bringing their passions together and starting their own business was the way to go. Mariana, already having amazing success with an ice-cream business in Brazil, brought the idea back to Miami to link up with business partner Megan and from that moment, Ladyfingrs was born. World Red Eye caught up with co-founder Megan Danko who gave us a closer look into what makes these so unique and how her and her partner Mariana are doing to changing the popsicle game.

Mariana Verçosa & Megan Danko

WRE: What inspired you two to open up a specialty popsicle shop?

MD: We are college friends that studied fashion together and after working in the fashion industry for several years we realized we wanted to open something of our own. Mariana had a gelato/paletas company in Brazil and we saw the demand for them here in Miami and Ladyfingrs was created.

WRE: Is there a meaning behind the name “Ladyfingrs?”

MD: Yes, we are 2 “ladies” and we make all of our pops by hand “fingers.”

Megan Danko & Mariana Verçosa

We wanted to make the shop a place people can come and hang out, work, catch up with friends and enjoy a coffee. We also make frappuccinos, milkshakes and smoothies.

Co-Founder of Ladyfingrs

WRE: Tell us how you come up with these creative flavors?

MD: We think of flavors that we like to eat and flavors that mix well together. Our last “Special Flavor” was a Lucky Charms pop and it reminded us of when we were kids. We also ask customers what flavors they would like to try together and make it happen.

WRE: Do your “Booze Pops” have real booze in it? How did you come up with the flavors?

MD: Yes they do! Most of our booze pops are special orders and the customer asks us to make a specific drink into a pop. Our best seller is the Moscow Mule. It tastes just like the drink and has a big piece of mint on the inside. So yummy!

Mariana Verçosa

Most of our booze pops are special orders and the customer asks us to make a specific drink into a pop. Our best seller is the Moscow Mule. It tastes just like the drink and has a big piece of mint on the inside.

Co-Founder of Ladyfingrs

Mariana Verçosa & Megan Danko

WRE: How often do you come up with new flavors?

MD: We try to come up with a new flavor each month and sell them for a limited time at the shop. For October the new flavor is Rosemary Pink Lemonade. It’s for Breast Cancer Awareness month and all of the sales from that pop will go to “Making Strides” (Breast Cancer Society).

WRE: What seems to be your best selling pop?

MD: Our best seller is Coconut Water n’ Fruits and Lychee Rosewater. Both of these pops are really refreshing on a hot day and are also beautiful to look at. The Coconut Water n’ Fruits has large chunks of strawberry, kiwis and pineapple inside and the Lychee Rosewater has a big purple edible flower to enjoy. Some of our other popular flavors are: Banana w/ Nutella filling, Oreo, Chocolate Lave, Passionfruit w/ condensed milk filling, Mango Ginger, Watermelon and Lemon Basil.

Megan Danko & Mariana Verçosa

WRE: Are you pops sold at any other locations?

MD: Wholesale is a major part of our business. We sell to several hotels, restaurants and bars in Miami. Some of them include: The W, Editon Hotel, The Standard, The One Hotel, Grand Beach Club, OTL and Drunken Dragon just to name a few. We also have a partnership with Jugofresh in which we produce pops for them using their fresh juices.

WRE: What inspired you to go from cold to hot and add coffee to your menu?

MD: We wanted to make the shop a place people can come and hang out, work, catch up with friends and enjoy a coffee. We also make frappuccinos, milkshakes and smoothies.

WRE: Do you have plans of opening up more Ladyfingrs locations?

MD: Yes, we have a big negotiation happening right now in one of the hottest retail spots in Miami. We are planning to open there in the next few months.

WRE: What do you hope for Ladyfingrs in the next 10 years?

MD: We hope to have several more Ladyfingrs store fronts across the country and to have Ladyfingrs found in all major grocery stores and hotel chains.