Five Questions with Sip & Scoop owner Jehan Shorish

Interview and Photo by Jason Setnyk

Cornwall, Ontario – One local entrepreneur has turned her dreams into a thriving reality. Jehan Shorish, a graduate of Ecole Secondaire L’Heritage in 2011, followed her passion for hospitality, marketing, and business to create Sip & Scoop, a Bubble Tea and Dessert Bar.

Jehan’s journey to entrepreneurship began in an unexpected place. After high school, she successfully pursued a degree in Dental Hygiene at the Canadian National Institute of Health. Her parents had always encouraged her to enter the dental field, but Jehan’s true interests lay elsewhere.

“Although I listened to my parents and pursued dental hygiene, I wasn’t completely into it,” Jehan explained. “Upon graduating, I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My mind was filled with so many ideas, constantly running. I knew it was time to start doing what I wanted to do.”

In 2014, Jehan took a leap of faith, following her heart and passion. With the support of her parents, she opened Sip & Scoop. Her vision was simple yet innovative – to introduce the people of Cornwall to the delightful world of Bubble Tea.

“I used to think Bubble Tea was the best sweet drink in the whole world, and I felt that the people of Cornwall would love it too once they were introduced to it,” Jehan shared with a smile.

Sip & Scoop is more than just a Bubble Tea joint; it’s a haven for food lovers. The menu at Sip & Scoop is an extensive treasure trove of culinary delights. From mouthwatering waffles to delectable crepes, flavorful quesadillas, savory butter chicken, and more, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Five Questions with The Seeker

1 – What made you choose to start a company in this industry?

“The reason I started a business in the bubble tea industry is simply the love I have for this beverage. I still remember the first time I had a sip of Bubble Tea from a tea shop in  Markham, Ontario and I fell in love at first sip. I think when you genuinely stand firmly by a product you intend to sell, you are bound to succeed. I immediately felt there is an opportunity to introduce this product to the community of Cornwall, and so the idea of Sip & Scoop came to life.”

2 – How would you describe your company’s success so far?

“I believe success is very subjective and personally defined. Sip & Scoop has a long journey of 9 years, consisting of many ups and downs. However, one thing that I am really proud of is the fact that we still serve customers we first served back in 2014, when we first opened. Furthermore, to further elaborate on Sip & Scoop’s success so far, I would like to share that I encourage a very positive work culture, I treat all our employees like family, we have garnered over 10 thousand followers on facebook, and over 1.7 million views on youtube.”

3 – What is your philosophy concerning customer service?

“I think all my team members can vouch for me when I say how important it is to provide great customer that flows naturally. When you visit Sip & Scoop, not only will you be treated like family, but at Sip & Scoop, we believe our customer is our employer. Therefore, we make sure every experience you encounter with us, is the best one yet. Great customer service adds value to your brand, sets you apart from your competitors, and last but not the least, it increases customer retention and recurring revenue.”

4 – What is unique about your company?

“It’s Bubble Tea re-imagined! With Sip & Scoop, my main focus was to re-imagine Bubble Tea in a way that attracts every single Canadian, and not only those whom are native to Bubble Tea and this is exactly how I designed Sip & Scoop’s menu and continue to do so. Even though it would have been really easy to go for average, at Sip & Scoop, we aim to provide only the best food ingredients to make your drinks and food. Our food quality standards can be felt with every sip, and bite.”

5 – What’s next for your company?

“Sip & Scoop’s aims to become the pioneer of Bubble Tea in Ontario and eventually all over Canada. I anticipate opening locations in Brockville, Kingston, & Mississauga in 2024 and 2025.”

For more information on Sip & Scoop, visit their website, or visit them in person at 720 Fourteenth Street West in Cornwall.