Photo Credit: Amurri Lauren
By Timi V. Jones
Temple University
PHILADELPHIA- The Whimsicle, an all-natural organic fruit popsicle which originally started in Tonae Simon’s home as a healthy snack alternative for her children, has quickly gained popularity. Not only has it gone beyond her kitchen to the streets of Philadelphia where she resides, but Whimsicle has gone worldwide to Paris, St. Thomas, across the US and doesn’t plan to stop there.
But how did Whimsicle grow so large?
Simon was making Whimsicles for her children when her now business partner Salim Weldon took notice that she was on to something great.
“A good friend of mine who owns a tow truck company has a big cookout where a lot of people come to. I would say over 2000 people,” Weldon said.
This was Simon and Weldon’s opportunity to introduce Whimsicle to a larger audience.
Weldon asked his friend if he would be able to sell some of the vibrant, fruit infused popsicles at the cookout and his friend approved.
“We made about 200 popsicles and they went in like 10 minutes,” Weldon said.
Weldon asked that people not put the popsicle on social media because him and Davis were not ready to come out as a company yet, but someone leaked a photo of the treat.
Weldon says this was a blessing in disguise because it only began to grow from there and they’ve been fortunate enough to keep up with the demand.
“After the photo was posted, my social media page blew up from about 500 something followers to like 3000,” Weldon said.
Whimsicle now has over 14,000 followers on Instagram.
The first big break for Whimsicle came when celebrity salon owner Ramsey Sheppard invited Weldon to bring the popsicles into his salon in Atlanta, Salon Ramsey. Sheppard heard about Whimsicle through Weldon’s barber Khalid Cobbs, who works at Salon Ramsey.
The day Weldon went into the salon, VH1 was shooting an episode of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta there.
“I signed a contract with Mama Dee to host her parties,” Weldon said.
And the opportunities have been flowing in for Weldon and Simon ever since.
“I got an email to travel abroad to Paris for a wedding and host Whimsicle there. I also spoke with Lenny S., Emory, and other people at Roc Nation and they support our efforts with Whimsicle,” Weldon said.
Weldon had the chance to distribute 3000 Whimsicles at the grand opening of Roc N’ Sole, which is a new sneaker boutique in Brooklyn owned by Roc Nation’s Lenny Santiago, Jeff Harris, Tashawn Smith, and Tyran Smith.
Weldon and Simon continually fulfill large orders of Whimsicle, and although the machinery is expected in this year, it is all currently done by hand!
Over time, Whimsicle has become more than just a snack, but a brand. They now have Whimmy Wear, which is clothing that features the colorful popsicle design.
“It’s very vibrant has a lot of colors and makes it cool for anyone to wear a popsicle or eat a popsicle no matter who you are,” Weldon said.
Monae Davis, the little league baseball player from Philadelphia, has modeled in Whimmy Wear’s spring and summer collection.
Weldon said he posts pictures on his Instagram page of his customers enjoying Whimsicle and recalls where he got the idea from.
“When I was a kid I would go to Friendly’s with my grandmom. And at the end they would give you a sundae, have you take a picture with it, and then they would hang it in the store.”
Weldon took this idea and brought it to the modern platform of social media and it has been beneficial to growing his brand.
Ultimately, the goal for Whimsicle is to battle childhood obesity and diabetes. There is NO sugar added to Whimsicle.
“We hope to have Whimsicle in colleges, supermarkets, daycares,” Weldon says.
His 1 year old son Bariq loves Whimsicle and fruit in general.
“He can tell you the names and colors of all the fruits. He knows what he wants and will request it by name. Whimsicle makes fruit fun for kids and kind of tricks them into eating it at a younger age,” Weldon says.
Weldon and Simon are very thankful for how successful Whimsicle has become, and are particularly grateful for their new business partner New Orleans Saints’ Jahri Evans. Whimsicle will often hashtag “#73Believed”.
“Tonae and I are very appreciative for him coming aboard. He gave us the opportunity to mass produce and take it further and we will always be thankful for that.”
For more information or to order Whimsicle visit the website at: www.mywhimsicle.com
Also follow their movement on Instagram: @_whimsicle or @gooddeedsalim
The Lunch Break 