THE INTERVIEW

Born from Opportunity: How a Coffee Problem Became a Business Solution

"We always had an entrepreneurial spirit," Isaac reflects, and that drive has been evident throughout the Camargos' business journey. Before Thirdstone Properties became their cornerstone success – now thriving after five strong years – the couple had explored various ventures and side hustles, always looking for the next opportunity.

While Thirdstone Properties remained their primary focus, the Camargos found themselves wanting something more, something different. That "something" revealed itself in an unexpectedly personal way last year when Isaac encountered a frustrating daily reality: Jacksonville's coffee shops close early, leaving him unable to enjoy a late-afternoon coffee.

Elenis tried to help by getting two coffee machines for the office. But, it seemed that the problem went beyond the office and they became determined to solve it.

The path to Screaming Cat was not easy or straightforward. The Camargos had previously gotten deep into negotiations to purchase an existing coffee restaurant in Jacksonville, advancing far enough in the deal to learn ample information about the industry. When that opportunity fell through, they didn't see it as a setback – they saw it as education.

Armed with newfound knowledge about the coffee business they saw an opportunity in their own Riverside neighborhood near Park Street and King Street. There was a vacant unit in the same retail building as Thirdstone Properties. They already had a good relationship with the landlord so they decided to take a chance. California-style iced coffee was trending nationally but hadn't fully arrived in Jacksonville, and perhaps more importantly, their immediate area lacked quality dessert options.

The solution was clear: why not combine both needs under one roof? So, Screaming Cat Ice Cream & Coffee was born.

From Blueprint to Business: Navigating the Renovation Journey

Turning the Screaming Cat concept into reality proved to be a complicated and lengthy process but the Camargos' real estate background was an advantage. Their years of experience rehabbing residential properties provided invaluable knowledge.

The renovation journey began with putting the right team together. The Camargos leaned on their established relationship with their general contractor and brought in architect Thomas Duke, who they noted “does things the right way." This highlighted how important it was to have experienced professionals who understood both the vision and the regulations, especially with commercial real estate which is much different from residential real estate.

The design and engineering phase alone stretched about three months, with constant back-and-forth between the architect and engineers to refine plans and ensure everything met their vision and also code requirements. Once the plans were finalized, the permit submission process took approximately one month – just the beginning of their education in municipal bureaucracy.

Coordinating the repair schedule and vetting vendors presented its own challenges, though here again, the Camargos' property management experience paid dividends. They were able to utilize trusted subcontractors from their existing network which were relationships built over years of successful real estate projects.

However, city inspections proved to be a learning curve. The Camargos discovered that Jacksonville's municipal system doesn't operate on email timelines, and a major holdup requiring fire marshal approval threatened to derail their opening. Rather than continue waiting for email responses, they took a direct approach – visiting the city planner in person to resolve the issues face-to-face.

"We wish we would have done that earlier," Isaac admits, a lesson learned for any future entrepreneurs facing similar issues.

The total timeline from lease execution to opening date was about 12 months. This is something to note for restaurant users or commercial users with specific build out needs! Always anticipate Murphy’s Law - anything that can go wrong will go wrong - and that you need more time than you expect. Especially with aging properties in historic districts.

Despite the complexity and unexpected hurdles, persistence and the right partnerships ultimately paid off. The complicated process worked out in the end, transforming their vision into the welcoming space that Screaming Cat customers now enjoy.

The Power of Partnership: How 18 Years Together Built Two Successful Businesses

Behind every great business is often a great partnership, and the Camargos are the perfect example. Isaac and Elenis have been together for 18 years, raising two children while building multiple successful ventures side by side. Their journey from side hustles to business ownership has been a true team effort from the start.

The couple discovered their passion for real estate together, both seeking something beyond traditional office jobs. This shared vision led them naturally into entrepreneurship, where they quickly learned that working together wasn't just possible – it was their strength.

Their success comes from understanding and playing to each other's natural abilities. Elenis excels at relationship building, whether she's connecting with new clients or nurturing existing partnerships. Her people skills have been invaluable at both Thirdstone Properties and Screaming Cat, creating the warm, welcoming atmosphere customers experience.

Meanwhile, Isaac handles what Elenis calls "all the business boring stuff" – marketing, numbers, and the analytical side of running their operations. These complementary skills extend beyond the office, with both partners naturally falling into roles that work for their home life with their children.

They understand each other's strengths and challenges in ways that business partners often can't. When one needs support, the other truly understands the situation and can provide meaningful help. This deep understanding has been the foundation of their 18-year partnership and the driving force behind their entrepreneurial success.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Why is Screaming Cat Ice Cream & Coffee the perfect retail location?

^{Pictured: New Construction Retail Plaza at 8730 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville FL, 32256}

Real Estate Advantages For Screaming Cat:

• Restaurant is on a signalized corner

• High foot-traffic and high vehicle traffic

• Nestled in dense residential neighborhood near churches and schools

• High occupancy plazas nearby

• High visibility and easy to get to

• Residents crave community, connection, events and experiences

Now, let’s get back to the story.

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Quality at Every Scoop and Sip: Products, People, and Community

When it comes to their customer base, the Camargos keep it simple. Who doesn't love ice cream and coffee? This universal appeal has proven exactly right, with Screaming Cat welcoming families, older adults, younger crowds, and kids – truly serving everyone who walks through their doors.

Finding the right team to serve this diverse community was crucial, and the Camargos took their hiring seriously. After posting on Indeed and conducting thorough interviews, they found their ideal store manager, Laura Reed, whose nearly 10 years of barista experience made her a standout candidate. Even better, Laura Reed previously worked at Pura Bean – the source of Screaming Cat's coffee beans. After receiving positive feedback from her former employer, the Camargos knew they had found the perfect fit for their vision.

The product quality reflects the same attention to detail evident in their hiring process. Screaming Cat offers 24 ice cream flavors, with dairy sourced directly from the Midwest. The Camargos don't just trust their suppliers – Isaac and Elenis personally visit their dairy sources for quality assurance checks, ensuring every scoop meets their standards.

Their commitment to excellence is already paying off in customer loyalty. The shop's signature drink, the Dreamcatcher iced coffee, has reached an impressive milestone of 1,000 sales.

Local foot traffic has created the kind of authentic community atmosphere the Camargos envisioned. Beyond serving individual customers, Screaming Cat has quickly become a gathering place for various community groups and events. They've hosted social meet-and-greets for FSU freshman classes, provided a venue for real estate events, and become a favorite spot for St. Paul's Catholic Church members and youth ministry groups. They had a big sale for National Ice Cream Day. Perhaps most notably, they've launched a children's reading group on Saturdays specifically for their Thirdstone Properties clients, blending their two businesses in a way that serves families throughout Riverside.

Looking ahead, Isaac and Elenis are eager to expand their community involvement even further, planning more local events and activities that will continue strengthening the bonds between Screaming Cat and the neighborhood they've chosen to call home.

MUST-KNOW INFO

Contact Isaac & Elenis

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➡️ Phone: 904-419-7850

➡️ Email:

[email protected]

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Discovering Jacksonville with The Camargos
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My time with Isaac and Elenis was a treasure! We talked about their venture and got to know each other better in their beautiful office space in Riverside. I love learning about new businesses and the people behind them. They are an honest, hardworking family who wants to contribute positively to their community through business.

Initially when they launched Thirdstone Properties in 2020, Isaac and Elenis were focused entirely on building their business and didn't have much time to explore their new city. Now, with their ventures established, they've become enthusiastic Jacksonville explorers, constantly discovering new places, making new friends, and finding new spots to take their kids.

"Jacksonville has so many hidden things," they've discovered, from unique neighborhoods to unexpected attractions that make the city feel full of possibilities. The location has proven ideal for their lifestyle, offering easy access to Georgia for quick getaways and convenient trips to Gainesville during football season – perfect for a family that values both adventure and routine.

While they love what Jacksonville offers, the Camargos have a vision for making it even better. They'd like to see more walkable strips like the one where both their real estate office and ice cream shop are located. They're also passionate about increased city investment in public parks and family programs, believing that more outdoor activities and spaces would enhance Jacksonville's appeal for families like theirs.

Their perspective as both business owners and parents gives them a unique view of what makes a community thrive – and their success in the Riverside area proves that walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods are exactly what Jacksonville residents are looking for.