SPS Stories
Alumni Spotlight
Adventure, Entrepreneurship, and Ice Cream
Fast Facts
- Graduated with an MS in Integrated Marketing from NYU SPS
- Melissa Tavss is the CEO and Founder of Tipsy Scoop, a liquor-infused ice cream and sorbet company
- Her business empire encompasses stores, franchise stores, wholesales, catering, and e-commerce operations
<p><span class="p-body">When <a href="https://tipsyscoop.com/" target="_blank" title="Tipsy Scoop">Tipsy Scoop</a> founder Melissa Tavss left agency life, she knew she wanted to branch out and do something on her own. For seven years, she worked in marketing and public relations for wine and spirits brands—a fitting career for someone who could be described as a foodie. Melissa told us, "I love trying new, exotic or peculiar foods and drinks. Sushi in particular, I love to go to an omakase dinner and sample whatever the chef suggests!"</span></p>
NYU Fit the Bill
<p><span class="p-body">Melissa Tavss enrolled in the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-integrated-marketing.html" target="_self" title="MS in Integrated Marketing program">MS in Integrated Marketing program</a> at NYU SPS in 2012. Her motivation stemmed from her agency experience. After working with multiple brands, she saw how important integrated marketing was in a business plan. That understanding is what initially drew her to the program.</span></p>
I decided to go to graduate school at NYU after finishing up at an agency…I could see from working with a variety of brands, how important integrated marketing was to the business plan, so that drew me to this program to learn more."
<p><span class="p-body">When asked what advice she had for incoming NYU SPS students, Tavss suggested taking a horizontal approach. She believes the connections she made at NYU helped her grow and develop a business. Melissa keeps in touch with professors and current and former students to this day.</span></p>
Definitely look to your peers for networking opportunities and stay in touch with them following your education. They can be very valuable resources as most students move on to some pretty interesting careers!"
Order All the Toppings
<p><span class="p-body">Tipsy Scoop has experienced substantial growth and success. To learn exactly how successful, watch CNBC's video <i><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/10/13/tipsy-scoop-boozy-ice-cream-is-bringing-in-millions-of-dollars.html" target="_blank" title="This boozy ice cream shop is bringing in millions of dollars">This boozy ice cream shop is bringing in millions of dollars</a>.</i> Tavss mentions the business' growth started quickly. She started the business while still enrolled in her graduate program. After graduating "I had the tools to be able to grow the business through unique and fresh marketing strategies that were perfected in the graduate program."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">After graduation, she opened her first brick and mortar location in 2017. Since then, she's opened two more company-owned locations and six franchise stores. Read her Forbes interview <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hilarysheinbaum/2018/02/11/tipsy-scoops-founder-melissa-tavss-how-to-go-from-an-in-store-brand-to-brick-and-mortar-shop/" target="_blank" title="How To Go From An In-Store Brand To Brick and Mortar Shop"><i>How To Go From An In-Store Brand To Brick and Mortar Shop</i></a> for more details on what it takes to open a store. Her plan for the future is to open locations in the Bahamas.</span></p>
The Future is Social
<p><span class="p-body">When Melissa started at NYU in 2012, social media first began to play a big role in marketing. Melissa says she learned a lot from professors and students representing both traditional, long-standing brands as well as newer startups.</span></p>
Social media has been huge for the growth of my company, Tipsy Scoop. Without it, we would not have been able to grow as quickly and cost effectively as we have! When we first started, we leaned heavily into Facebook videos to promote our offerings. From there, we moved into Instagram and TikTok. Most people who come to our stores and franchises have found us on social media!"
<p><span class="p-body">Want to learn more about Tipsy Scoop? Watch her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BziJs0uyEKs" target="_blank" title="cooking video on Bold TV">cooking video on Bold TV</a> and learn how to make your own boozy ice cream at home. You can keep up with Melissa and Tipsy Scoop online on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-tavss-a3a55833/" target="_blank" title="LinkedIn">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tipsyscoop" target="_blank" title="Facebook">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/tipsyscoop" target="_blank" title="Instagram">Instagram</a>, or <a href="https://x.com/tipsyscoop" target="_blank" title="X">X</a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Check out the NYU SPS <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-integrated-marketing.html" target="_self" title="MS in Integrated Marketing">MS in Integrated Marketing</a> site for more information about the program.</span></p>
