Meet Emily Taylor of Mempops!
Meet the FACE behind the 901's go-to frozen treat! Emily Taylor works behind the scenes to supply Memphians with the unique flavor combinations we've come to expect (and love!) from Mempops. Image: Facebook / Mempops
Founded in 2014, Mempops is a go-to frozen treat for Memphians. Bursting with unique flavor combinations, the cream and fruit pops are available at two brick-and-mortar storefronts, several retail establishments, and pop-ups all over town. Working tirelessly behind the scenes are husband-and-wife team Chris and Emily Taylor.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Emily moved to Bartlett at age 11. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Mississippi, she returned to Memphis — and started bringing delicious goodness to the city. Get to know our newest FACE of Memphis!
What was your career path before Mempops?
I am a speech-language pathologist and have worked in various roles at a local inpatient rehab hospital for 21 years. I love to work with people who have had strokes or head injuries to help them regain their prior function.
What led to the creation of Mempops?
Chris has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for cooking. He always wanted to open his own restaurant, but as a family with two young children, I wasn’t sure how that would work.
After Christmas one year, we visited his family in Birmingham, Alabama, and stopped at a local pop-up shop there. The flavors were great, and there was decent customer traffic for January. On the drive back home, I told him that he should open a pop-up shop here. The rest is history!
What is your role at Mempops?
I work to schedule and organize our mobile events, coordinate our wholesale deliveries, and basically move pops around in some shape or form throughout the year. Our business slows down significantly during the cooler months, but once Spring hits, it’s on!
What do you love most about what you do?
We’ve always said that most people are happy when they are eating a Mempop, so I guess my favorite thing is bringing a smile to peoples’ faces. I am proud of the legacy that Mempops has built and of how we are woven into the fabric of our community.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Work-life balance. It is often hard to separate work Emily and Chris from regular Emily and Chris. We have learned to take advantage of our down season by traveling and committing time to our relationship and family.
What are two or three of your own favorite Mempops creations?
My favorite year-round pop is Banana Nutella for its classic flavor. I love the seasonal Coconut Lime, and I think Strawberry Balsamic Goat Cheese is the (literal) GOAT. Our newest Donut pop is pretty sweet, too!
How has the Memphis community supported you?
Oh, in so many ways! When everything was closed at the beginning of the pandemic, we made many home and business deliveries. I got to hear stories about how much our customers loved Mempops. People often share their “first Mempop” experience with me, and that brings a smile to my face. We have such a generous and loving community in Memphis. I am always so grateful for that.
If you have visitors to Memphis, where do you take them?
We used to offer our back house as an Airbnb, and I would always point people to our lovely parks, especially Overton Park and Shelby Farms. I also make it a point to share information about The National Civil Rights Museum and Stax (my Memphis favorite!). Also, Crosstown Concourse!
What is your best piece of advice?
Learn what works for you as an individual, for your family, and for your business, and learn your limits (which are constantly evolving). You don’t have to conquer the world; just do your best to make your corner of the world the best it can be.
Name three things you can’t live without.
My cat, a good book, and a bedtime of 9:30 (at the latest!).
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.