Amy Simmons’s path to ice cream entrepreneur began after earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University in 1982 with a double major in Psychology and Biology. Intent on earning money for graduate school, Amy accepted an opportunity to move to Manhattan and open an ice cream shop for Steve’s Ice Cream. She soon moved to Florida to seed franchise districts for sale under the Steve’s franchise. When the company was sold in 1984, Amy wrote a business plan, raised $100,000 from investors, and moved to Austin to start her own company, Amy’s Ice Creams. The business became a local favorite but also received national attention due to Amy’s unique style of business. Stories about the business have appeared in Inc. magazine, The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Reader's Digest, Forbes, Newsweek, and Fast Company, and of tv shows including “The View,” “On the Road with Al Roker,” “Giada,” and “Power Lunch.”
Amy has made a conscious choice to focus her organization’s growth and development regionally. Amy’s Ice Creams has fifteen units and will have gross revenues of over 11 million in 2017. In 20015 she also co-founded Phil’s Ice House as a companion business to Amy’s Ice Creams. Phil’s has won the Austin Chronicle’s Best Family Restaurant award every year since it’s opening.
In addition to her businesses, Amy graduated with an MBA from the University of Texas in 1992 and has served on The City of West Lake Hills City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem from 2007-2009.