Today we’d like to introduce you to MeShontes Jones.
Hi MeShontes, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I’m originally from Richmond, Virginia. I grew up in Highland Park, where I was raised by my great-grandparents.
Looking back, I realize there was so much more to life that I hadn’t experienced yet. And I think that’s part of what shaped my appreciation for new experiences as I got older.
I’ve always enjoyed trying new things, whether that’s traveling somewhere new, visiting a restaurant, going to a concert, or simply doing something different. But what I really love is sharing those experiences with other people. I’m the person inviting friends and family on trips, encouraging someone to try a new restaurant, or telling them about a place I think they’d enjoy. There’s just something special about seeing someone experience something for the first time, especially when you know what it’s like not to have had those opportunities yourself.
I love being able to share something that brings someone joy, puts a smile on their face, or simply allows them to leave feeling a little better than they did when they came.
But let me back up a little!
I met my husband, Julian, in high school, so we’re actually high school sweethearts. I graduated a year early, and we eventually got married when I was 23. We started our life together in Asheville, North Carolina, before moving to Charlotte, where we’ve spent the last several years building our careers, raising our family, and pursuing different business opportunities.
Julian has a background in corporate banking, and I’ve spent more than a decade working for Thermo Fisher Scientific. Along the way, we began investing in real estate and building our portfolio. We’ve always shared a desire to create a life that gives us more freedom, stability, and opportunities for our family.
But becoming a mother really made me think differently about what that life could look like. I wanted to have more flexibility with my time, be present for our children, and build something that could create opportunities for them long after we’re gone. We also wanted our children to see us pursuing our goals rather than just talking about them.
I knew that at some point I wanted to do something outside of my corporate career. I wasn’t exactly sure what that would be, but I knew I wanted to create something meaningful that aligned with the life Julian and I were building together.
And then I experienced Morelia Gourmet Paletas!
What initially stood out to me was the quality of the brand. I appreciate things that are done well, where you can tell someone has put thought and care into the details. Morelia isn’t your typical ice cream shop. From the handcrafted paletas to the presentation, it’s an elevated experience, and that’s something I really connected with.
But what made it even more exciting for me was the opportunity to share that experience with other people.
When I experienced Morelia for myself, I immediately wanted other people to try it. And honestly, that’s just how I am. If I find a restaurant I love, I want to take somebody there. If I have a great experience somewhere, I want the people around me to enjoy it, too.
As I learned more about Morelia and the opportunity to become a franchise owner, things started coming together. I had already been thinking about what business ownership could look like for me, and here was a brand I genuinely loved that also offered an established foundation to build upon.
And the more I thought about it, the more I loved the idea of bringing Morelia to Richmond. A place that’s such a big part of who I am.
After being away for so many years, Julian and I are now preparing to open our first Morelia Gourmet Paletas location in Carytown. And I’m really excited about that! We’re bringing something we genuinely enjoy to the city where my story began, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the community.
Of course, I hope people fall in love with the paletas as much as we have, but I also hope Morelia becomes a place where people create memories. Whether it’s a family bringing their children in for a treat, friends catching up, or someone trying their very first paleta, I want people to enjoy the experience. Something as simple as ice cream can create a really special moment.
And beyond the business, I hope my story encourages someone.
I know there are young girls and boys growing up in Richmond whose circumstances may look a lot like mine did. maybe they haven’t had the opportunity to experience much outside of what they know, or maybe they just haven’t seen someone with a background similar to theirs pursuing something like this.
I want them to know there’s more out there for them. Where you start doesn’t have to determine where you finish. You can make different decisions, pursue new opportunities, and create a life that looks different from the one you grew up knowing.
I’m still building that life myself. I haven’t figured everything out, and I’m learning as I go. But Julian and I are intentional about the decisions we’re making, the opportunities we’re creating, and the example we’re setting for our children.
And now, to have the opportunity to bring something we love back home to Richmond, and hopefully put a few smiles on people’s faces along the way, is something I’m really grateful for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, becoming a Morelia franchise owner was probably the easiest part of this journey. Everything that came after was a challenge!
We reached out to more than 25 places for funding and heard “no” eight times. We eventually went back to Institute Capital, the first lender we learned about. They gave us the “yes” we had been waiting for, and we finally secured our funding.
Finding a location wasn’t easy either. We spent six months searching while living four hours away in Charlotte. Our first idea was to open in a shipping container in the whole foods parking lot, but that didn’t work out. Funny enough, the same property management company later offered us a space in Carytown, which is where we’re opening our first store.
In the meantime, we spent the summer introducing Morelia to Richmond through festivals and events, something no other franchise owner had done before opening a store. Some weekends, we worked three events with our children right beside us, putting in days from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. We struggled to find supplies and even lost our entire inventory…twice!
There were definitely moments when we looked at each other and asked, “What are we doing?” But we kept going. We learned from every setback, made adjustments, and refused to give up. Looking back, those challenges made reaching this point even more meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Professionally, I’m a National Dispatch Coordinator for Thermo Fisher Scientific, where I’ve worked for over 13 years.
Outside of work, I’m very intentional about my relationships. I think my friends would describe me as thoughtful, caring, and emotionally aware.
What I’m most proud of is the work I’ve done on myself. I’ve learned to recognize things about myself that I don’t like and make the decision to change them. I don’t always get it right, but I believe in taking responsibility for my actions and making sure my own shortcomings don’t negatively affect the people I love.
I think that’s also what sets me apart: my self-awareness and accountability. I’m willing to have honest conversations, acknowledge when I’m wrong, and make changes when they’re needed. I’m not afraid to keep growing.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice would be to take your time and don’t rush into anything. Read everything, and then read it again! Make sure you understand what you’re signing before you sign it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and know that it’s okay to ask for changes if something doesn’t seem right.
I would also say don’t give up when things get hard, because they will! You’re learning something new, and it’s probably going to be harder than you expected. Give yourself room to learn, make mistakes, and figure things out along the way.
Another thing I would suggest is keeping a journal of your journey. Write down the good days, the hard days, and everything in between. One day, you’ll be able to look back and see just how far you’ve come.
That’s actually one reason Julian and I created Lease to Launch. We’re inviting aspiring and current business owners behind the scenes as we build our Morelia location. Through group calls, on-site visits, and lessons from our own experience, we’re sharing what we’re learning about funding, construction, and opening a business. Anyone interested can learn more and apply at https://juliandjones.com/fromleasetolaunch
As for what I wish I had known, I definitely wish I knew how much dry ice costs! That’s one expense I wasn’t prepared for. LOL.
More than anything, I’ve learned that you won’t know everything when you start, and that’s okay. Just do your homework, ask questions, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paletasmorelia.com/
- Instagram: @paletasmorelia
- Other: @morelia.rva (tik tok)
