Natalia was born and grew up in Monteros, a small town in Tucuman that is today her favorite place in the world. “I am the second of four children and although I had a wonderful childhood, the resources in my family were limited. With the separation of my parents, we went to live with my grandfather in San Miguel de Tucumán where I finished my secondary studies and at the age of twenty I formed my own family. I have six children and it was there when we started the ice cream business with whom my partner was until three years ago”, recalls Natalia Ruiz, owner of the Freed Ice Cream Parlor.
– How did Heladería Freed start, which today is a benchmark in San Miguel de Tucumán?
It started with a small store that had, at that time, two freezers. The ice cream was transported from Termas de Rio Hondo where my father-in-law lived, who was already dedicated to the business and had a small factory. The success was immediate. We sold corkscrew-shaped ice cream sticks, which is a different mold from the classic popsicles, thus becoming the first ice cream parlor in San Miguel de Tucumán to market them. As the years went by, Freed became known and we began to manufacture them here, in the province, and always focusing on manufacturing a good product accompanied by excellent customer service that, at that time, approximately eighteen years ago, worked very well. .
– Was your separation a hinge in your personal and business life?
Yes, when I separated, the company of the factory was divided. I looked scared and my questions were ”what do I do now?”; “how I follow?”; “Will I be able to get by on my own?” Accompanied by a set of emotions that came from sadness and uncertainty, my whole life and my family would now be transformed and everything would depend on me: decisions, care for my small children, the business and the direction I would take. Everything until I understood that no one would come on a white horse to solve my life. So, I decided to get up, get well, and show my kids that they had a strong mom who would pull through.
– Who creates the different products and flavors?
The ice creams are created by me. Starting from the same base, different flavors can be created, you should never miss the classic bonbon sticks and cream ones such as American cream, dulce de leche, chocolate, strawberry, etc. In our case, we also made the butter flavor, which was a boom, just like the white chocolate. We always try to give varieties of flavors in each product. Today, we have six flavors in chocolate sticks and the same in sanguchitos and cream sticks.
– What makes Freed different from other ice cream parlors?
In principle, all our products, within the industrial line that is marketed here in Tucumán, the difference lies in our quality.
What are your projects in the medium and long term?
My objective at the business level is, three years from now, to position my product at a national level, which will surely lead us to develop franchises very soon.
Av. Province of Jujuy 2573, San Miguel de Tucumán
Phone: (0381) 206-8311
FB: Freed Ice Cream
by CEDOC