While searching for women to celebrate and highlight through a local women-in-business group, I came across Nicole, one of many who responded to a call for community storytelling. After a few interactions and an in-person meeting, it quickly became clear that this connection was something special. What began as a professional introduction has grown into a new friendship and the start of what will be a valuable collaboration for future community events. Nicole’s business is the kind of place that invites connection, and it is already shaping up to be a space many in the community will come to call their own.Some businesses are built on an idea. Others are built on heart, history, and family. Nicole’s is firmly rooted in all three.
Her entrepreneurial spirit was shaped early, learned from watching her mother lead with strength, determination, and resilience. Growing up with a strong, business-minded mother taught Nicole to dig deep, trust her instincts, and go for it—even when the path forward felt uncertain. That influence still guides her today, as she balances motherhood, full-time work, and business ownership with intention and grace.
Family is at the core of everything Nicole does. Her children were the spark that helped turn an idea into a business when they reached working age and shared how much they missed the shave ice they had grown up enjoying in Hawaii, where family roots run deep. Rather than letting that connection live only in memory, Nicole did the research, gathered her family, and decided to bring an authentic taste of those traditions to Kitsap County. The result is shaved ice made with house-made syrups using family recipes and real ingredients, along with DoleWhip in several flavors—each one a nod to heritage, home, and shared history.
Over time, the business expanded organically. What began as a single concept grew into three branches: shaved ice, coffee, and a café space that brings everything together under one roof. In addition, Nicole operates a coffee cart and serves as a vendor at county and local events, further extending her reach into the community. Looking ahead, she hopes to add thoughtfully curated events to Kitsap County—experiences designed to bring people together in meaningful ways.
Despite the growth, Nicole remains deeply grounded. She works full time as a Stampede employee and also serves as a board member of the Kitsap Rodeo and Stampede, helping develop events that celebrate tradition and bring people together. Giving back—both in small moments and big efforts—is not an afterthought for her; it is a guiding principle. Her involvement reflects a belief that strong communities are built through participation, service, and showing up consistently.
That commitment to community is something I deeply admire and feel personally connected to. My own great-grandparents, Maye and Hank Freiboth, along with my great-uncle Dwane and great-aunt Joan, and their daughter Cindy, helped run the Kitsap County Fair for many years, nearly from its beginning. That shared understanding of what it means to invest in community—to give time, energy, and heart—is a quiet but powerful connection I see reflected in Nicole.
As a mother, Nicole is unwavering in her priorities. Her family comes first, always. She protects that time fiercely, turning off her phone every weeknight by 7 p.m. and dedicating all of Sunday to family. In a world that often glorifies nonstop hustle, her boundaries are a reminder that success does not have to come at the expense of presence. The balance she maintains is not accidental—it is intentional, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in her values.
One of the things Nicole loves most about her business is that her family works alongside her. Through this shared effort, she is teaching her children not just how to run a business, but how to serve their community, how to give back, and how to appreciate the support they receive. She is also passionate about mentoring other women, helping them get their ideas off the ground and reminding them that they are capable. Investing in people, she says, fills her heart.
Looking to the future, Nicole envisions her café growing into a true family destination and a welcoming space for fundraisers and legendary community events. She hopes to partner with local animal shelters, including the Kitsap Humane Society, to host adoption and fundraising events—an extension of her deep love for dogs and her belief in giving
back.
What Nicole loves most about being a woman business owner is the freedom—the freedom to make decisions, to learn from both success and failure, and to grow through every moment. There is so much we can learn from her example: to dig deep into our communities, to lead with heart, and to support those who are building something meaningful among us. Supporting Nicole’s continued endeavors is not just supporting a business—it is supporting the kind of community we all want to be part
of.
I look forward to watching Nicole grown even more with her business and in this community, I will support her and when you get the chance I hope you do as well.
We will share with you when we do a Meet and Greet when Nicole opens her new spot near the Tracyton Movie Theater, sometime around June! For now you can find their location at the Perry Avenue Mall in Bremerton at
2903 Perry Ave, Bremerton, WA 98310. I will definitely be doing a Meet and Greet at their new location this summer!!! Stay tuned and follow Stacey Pimm on Facebook so you don't miss anything!
