By Cara Parell, October 2008
Photo By Heather Strange
Even Gelato Company owners Joseph Kearns and Chino Leong thought they had taken their creativity a step too far when they introduced Guinness–flavored gelato.

“Some people really liked it, but some thought it tasted like flat beer,” Kearns said. 
That was one of few failed flavor sensations by the entrepreneurs who combine unexpected flavors of the creamy treat, such as poppy seed and cabernet, a trendy atmosphere and late hours to bring a taste of Italy to downtown Gainesville.
With that just-rolled-out-of-bed look, the duo is hard to pick out from their college-aged customers, and they like it that way.  After brief stints in desk jobs — University of Florida graduate Leong worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Kearns worked in Web development — the pair, who have been friends since they were 10, fled the corporate world seeking a life as entrepreneurs. While looking for a business concept, they tasted gelato for the first time, fell in love with the Italian dessert and worked together to launch their business, which opened in 2006.
“There was a learning curve,” Leong said. “It was a lot of work, but we’re both hands-on people. We like to get our hands dirty instead of sitting around and watching other people do the work.”
They plan to franchise within the year and have become part owners of a local restaurant and bar, the Italian Quarter. “They are really innovative people. I think that’s why they have succeeded,” said Raquel Zarin, Gelato Company manager. “They know exactly what they want and how they want it done.”