WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

Dream Kreams Artisanal Creamery, located in downtown Winston-Salem, has a very apt slogan: “You haven’t had ice cream until you’ve had Dream Kreams.” They have quickly attracted customers from Raleigh, Charlotte, High Point and Greensboro. 

Kyndra Bell is the owner of Dream Kreams. One day she began creating ice cream flavors, and that was the beginning of sweet success. “I would say when I came up with French Toast on the first try, I felt like I was creating something special.”

Let’s learn more about Kyndra and Dream Kreams.

Did you expect your slogan would draw so many people to the Twin City just to get a taste of your ice cream?

I am confident in my slogan because as an avid ice cream lover, when I started making this ice cream and tried it for myself, that is initially how I felt. The first few people who tried it outside of family and friends also agreed. Dream Kreams is definitely not your typical ice cream brand. I take pride in coming up with different flavors that are unexpected and unique. I also make everything from scratch. It is truly a labor of love, and you can’t compare that to any other ice cream.

The Lemon Cookie Crunch, Candy Stash, and French Toast flavors caught my attention. What are some of the other popular flavors at Dream Kream?

Some of the popular flavors would be Biscoff Cookie Butter Crunch, White Chocolate Oreo, Banana Pudding, and more recently Pistachio Cloud.

Do you have a favorite flavor? 

Yes! My favorite is White Chocolate Caramel Latte, and a close second is Pistachio Cloud. I really love them all so depending on the day, I may crave any of them.

Dream Kreams are handcrafted. Share with us how it works.

I may have an idea for a flavor, I’ll get the ingredients to make the flavor and put it together. Sometimes it may require making a sauce, jelly, or some sort of reduction, sometimes it may require baking. I will do it all, and the results are the ice creams people have come to love.

I looked at some of the reviews on Dream Kreams’ Facebook page. Here’s what Shawnda Anistead said: “I can honestly say this is the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life. She has non-dairy options as well and you can’t even taste the difference. The ice cream is so smooth, it just melts like butter in your mouth. I love it!”

Customer Tanya Malloy has some great news if dairy isn’t a part of your diet. “I just tried three non-dairy flavors. Biscoff, turtle brownie, and blueberry cobbler, and all three are rich, creamy, pure deliciousness! The customer service is just as amazing as the ice cream!”

This Saturday is their Grand Opening. According to Jayme McKinney, a date night with some Dream Kreams is a great combination. “We came out tonight and couldn’t have been more pleased! We even went back for seconds! Ice cream is the best thing I’ve tried in a very long time! My husband and I got dairy-free chocolate and dairy-free vanilla. Both were so creamy and rich! My son got dairy salted caramel and he said it was delicious as well.”

When you see comments such as these, along with the satisfied expressions and smiles of your customers while eating Dream Kreams, what goes through your mind?

When I see positive reviews, satisfied expressions, and smiles, so many things come to mind. It’s always indescribable! Over the years I have recorded so many of my customers trying ice cream and the reactions are never scripted or staged. Yet almost every time people are in disbelief. I have realized now that I have gotten to record a lot of my supporters falling in love with a product that I made. It’s a very humbling thought … I am incredibly grateful. It is a feeling that never, ever gets old. I have been in business since 2019 and I’m still hanging on the edge of my seat when people try it for the first time. Capturing the joy that people exhibit when they try it makes me so happy.  I am truly grateful that I can share those experiences in real time with a lot of my customers.

Why is it important for you to serve non-dairy ice cream as well as dairy ice cream?

It’s important for me to serve non-dairy ice cream because there are so many people I know with an intolerance or allergy to dairy, so they are forced to eat non-dairy ice cream, which may not be great. A lot of times, people have to cut out dairy later on in life, so they have already developed their favorite ice creams and then have to go without. I wanted to create a brand that anyone would be able to enjoy. There have been so many people who have told me that they haven’t had ice cream in years – I think the most I have heard is 16 years – and they were able to eat my ice cream, enjoy it, and then wonder how it tastes like dairy! It’s a small feat but it makes people happy, and that’s worth the two years it took to perfect the non-dairy option!

What are some of the other ingredients that make Dream Kreams successful and delicious?  

Time, patience, dedication, and most importantly, love. I love what I do, I enjoy making ice cream, and I pride myself on making a quality product every batch at a time.

Do you sell other products? 

Yes, I sell cookies, brownies, espresso brownies, sweet potato cream cheese swirl blondies, cinnamon buns, and apple, peach, and blueberry cobblers. There are a few new items that will be coming to the new location as well.

Take us through that moment you found out that Dream Kreams is The Chronicle’s Business of the Month.

I was taking a lunch break from doing work in the new space and checked my email and saw Mr. Allan Younger’s email! I was completely surprised, but thankful. It was the perfect confirmation to all the preparation I have been doing for the Grand Opening. The timing could not have been better!

What activities will you have during the grand opening this Saturday?

The star of the show will be the ice cream, so you’ll be able to watch the team make some amazing desserts: coffee-infused milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits and more! The space is beautiful so I am sure people will be able to find places to take amazing photos. After the grand opening, we plan to have some amazing activities going on!  Between ice cream classes for kids and adults, hosting movie nights, wine and ice cream bingo, and family karaoke, we will definitely be a spot to go to have a great time (and eat some amazing ice cream).

As a business owner, I’m sure there are days when it’s tough. What scripture do you turn to for strength and endurance? 

There are so many, but one of my favorites is Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV 7: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” 8: “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends its roots out by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

That resonates for so many reasons. Being an entrepreneur is tough, especially as a mom, but throughout this journey God has never failed me and has always provided. He has always made provisions for me when I was in need.  When I questioned myself, He has always sent signs and confirmation. And although I have gone through slow seasons, me nor my boys have never gone without.

Join Kyndra Bell and her staff for their Grand Opening this Saturday at 102 W. 3rd Street, Unit 102, in downtown Winston-Salem. The ribbon cutting will begin at 11 a.m. and the Grand Opening begins at 12 p.m. through 7 p.m. 

The Chronicle’s Business of the Month is Dream Kreams. For more information,  call 336-462-8797, send an email to info@dreamkreams.com, or follow them on Facebook and IG @Dream Kreams.