You've read stories about people who started a company with no plan, no experience and no money but somehow succeeded.
This is not one of those stories.
The plan
Before Rick and Linda Brady opened Blue Banana Frozen Yogurt in Oro Valley in January, Rick studied more than 200 franchise and independent yogurt shops. He and Linda thought about what kind of enterprise would be viable in a down economy. And he did plenty of market research - Rick can tell you exactly how far his nearest competitors are.
"People were dying for a dessert destination out here," he said recently from his modestly sized office in the back of the store, in Oro Valley Marketplace on North Oracle Road and East Tangerine.
"If you go in with half of an idea, it's not going to work."
People are also reading…
His statement is backed by the latest U.S. Census data, as analyzed by the U.S. Small Business Administration: In 2006-07, 1,915 businesses with fewer than 20 employees opened in Tucson. But 1,519 shut down within that year.
Rick, 57, worked 36 years as a contract specialist in the electrical industry. The Bradys decided to open a frozen yogurt shop after Linda's brother opened one in Sacramento.
"The whole process went really quick," Rick said of getting Blue Banana going. They looked into getting a small-business loan, but ended up self-financing.
"We've been very fortunate," Rick said. "I haven't screwed up yet. I haven't made any glaring mistakes or bad decisions."
The product
Blue Banana sells self-serve frozen yogurt in a variety of flavors, which customers can top with fruit, candy, syrup and nuts.
It also sells gelato in flavors Rick concocted: Blood Red Orange. Apple Pie. There's even sugar-free chocolate gelato. The chocolate, coconut and vanilla beans are all from Italy.
The toppings, including pecans, candy bits and fresh raspberries, are high-quality - "We do give the customers what they deserve," said Rick.
He and Linda also went to "YoCream University," in Portland, Ore., where the maker of the frozen yogurt has its headquarters.
"It's real yogurt, not from powder or dry mix," Rick said.
The "blue banana" concept stems from a cruise Linda and Rick took that included a tour of a banana plantation in Costa Rica. Bananas of all varieties were laid out, including blue bananas that taste like vanilla. The shop's decor includes a wall of 2-by-2-inch cobalt glass tiles, which are also in the restrooms, "Tuscan gold" paint and an acid-stained floor.
The shop is west of the movie theater at the shopping center, between two restaurants, so it draws customers from them.
One thing Blue Banana does not have is a website.
"We're in no hurry to do it. We've been open slightly over six months and we're doing very well without a website," Rick said.
The people
On a recent weekday afternoon two of the three outside tables were full, and four of the five inside tables.
Employee Alisa Lowery, 20, said she applied for a job at Blue Banana because she and her husband were financially strapped.
"It's the best job I've ever had. I like the ambience. I like the employees I work with. It's a relaxed setting."
The Bradys' 11-year-old son, Eric, attends Harelson Elementary School. He spends a lot of time at the shop. Linda, 52, teaches English as a second language at Holaway Elementary School. After 28 years, she's almost ready to retire.
"We love it," she said of the business. "We found something we really love to do. Who doesn't like frozen desserts?"
Frozen treats appeal to a wide demographic, from babies to senior citizens, Rick said. As if to underscore that, Gail Fruhling, 63, popped by with her two granddaughters, Macie, 18 months, and Brice, who's 3 and a half.
Gail lives in Kingman and spends a week baby-sitting the girls every July.
"We've thoroughly enjoyed it," she said of the shop. "I think the service was incredible."
Of course, nothing is perfect: One challenge the Bradys had is that customers asked for recyclable cups.
"We made a business decision based on money to use the Styrofoam cups even though some customers didn't agree with that," Rick said.
It's a time-intensive venture.
"I've worked the last nine months without a day off 16 to 18 hours a day," Rick said. "You're driven by making sure it's done the right way."
If you go
• What: Blue Banana Frozen Yogurt
• Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
• Where: 12125 N. Oracle Road, No. 121
• Prices: Gelato is $3.75 for a two-ounce scoop, $4.45 for two scoops and $4.95 for three. Frozen yogurt and toppings go for 39 cents an ounce.
