Movitsza Simmons, Smooth Pops
Did you know that New York City has the highest number of women entrepreneurs in our neighborhoods? According to New York City Small Business Services, women across the five boroughs employ over 190,000 people and generate approximately $50 billion in sales. This month, we’re proud to present our annual Women’s issue—dedicated to all the innovative women chefs, food entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, bakers, mixologists and more who help feed the borough everyday.
Coinciding with the print issue (you’ll be able to pick up a copy soon!), every weekday throughout the month of May, we’re featuring a different Queens woman in the food industry. From Flushing’s dumpling maestro Helen You, to Long Island City’s Brazilian baker, Daniela Martins-Schwarzbauer and Last Dragon Pizza’s Nicole Russell in Rockaway, each woman reflects the diverse and independent spirit of Queens. Oh, and did we mention that our woman-owned magazine produced this women’s issue with a team of all-women writers, photographers, illustrators, designers and editors (save for our photo editor, Ed Lefkowicz)? No big deal.
Movitsza Simmons, Smooth Pops
Necessity proved the mother of invention when it came to Smooth Pops. After realizing the amount of sugar, dyes and artificial flavors there are in classic, squeezable freezer pops, and surprised a more wholesome, all-natural option didn’t exist on the market, Long Island City mama Movitsza Simmons decided to make one herself.
Using little more than blended fresh fruit squeezed into low-mess tube packaging (much easier for her infant son to hold than popsicle sticks), these non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free and stabilizer-free treats won over the Queens Economic Development Corporation. Working with their Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) and StartUP programs, Simmons was able to secure $10,000 in funding. To find out where to get your hands on these pops, visit SmoothPops.com.Simmons is quick to share the lion’s share of glory with her son Rock, however, who serves as Smooth Pops’ CTO—Chief Tasting Officer.
