Ice cream businessman Mikey Cole's treats are cooler than cool. Truffle Shuffle, Foxy Brown, Brady Bunch — these are just a few of the popular ice creams made at Mikey Likes It Ice Cream in NYC's East Village. But nine years ago, Michael "Mikey" Cole, the man behind the cold ice creams, was serving something different:" I spent six months on Rikers Island selling drugs (毒品)，" says Cole, a native New Yorker. "That time in my life was about having fun and being reckless (不计后果的), but things hit home when I was put in prison (监狱)."
Determined to be a changed man once he'd done his time, Cole, now 37, graduated from college and held various jobs until the death of his aunt Lucy — "She used to tell me, 'Don't go left when you're supposed to go right'" — led him to find his real interest. While cleaning out her apartment, Cole discovered her cookbook collection, including a recipe (食谱) for chocolate ice cream. He bought an ice cream maker and began experimenting with her recipe. "It took me away from everything，" he says. Six experiments later, Cole perfected his chocolate treat, Ice Ice Baby, and began selling ice cream out of his apartment.
In 2014, Cole opened his own shop not far from where he grew up. But no matter how popular he becomes, Cole is committed to (忠于) his neighborhood. "For me, ice cream is about encouraging other Mikeys to start businesses and give back," says Cole, "just like my aunt taught me." How sweet he is!
