Alex Edwards always thought she would be a business owner, just not this particular one.
“When I was younger, I wanted to own a bar because, you know, that’s the cool thing to do, I guess,” she said. “But now that I’m older, I’m glad I didn’t go that direction because I like to sleep.”
Instead, she and her husband, Marc, took over Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor almost three years ago. However, she still might not be getting much sleep. The ice cream parlor is open seven days a week year-round and offers much more than ice cream. Also available are sandwiches, wraps and subs. Business has been going so well since she and her husband bought it in June 2022 that they also have a food truck, where they sell ice cream, shakes, banana splits, sundaes and floats.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been a wonderful experience,” she said. “Been hard, really hard.”
That is where her Virginia Peninsula Community College experience an associate degree in Business Administration have reaped rewards. She was in her late 30s when she enrolled at VPCC in 2019, and finally graduated in 2024.
“I was a lot older than a lot of the other students that were there so that was a challenge in itself, to try to get over that idea that I was too old to do something,” she said.
She had to relearn things, including writing papers, which she hadn’t done since graduating from high school about two decades prior.
“It was challenging, but I think that it definitely helped my situation,” she said. “It helped me be stronger, more focused because I had to actually sit there and get everything done. It was a positive situation, even though it was really difficult.”
Seth Fisher, one of Edwards’ advisers, noticed her determination right away.
“From the very beginning, Alex stood out for her drive, professionalism, and focus,” he said. “She came to each appointment prepared, asked thoughtful questions, and always followed through on her goals. She had a clear vision for her future, and it was clear she wasn’t just chasing success — she was building something meaningful.”
Working and interacting with people are the best aspects of her job.
“I’ve always had more of a service-type of attitude,” she said. “That’s really important to me; making connections with people, making people happy, and then using my strengths to be able to do that.”
She’s from California City, a small town about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. She moved to Virginia in 2013 and was living in Norfolk when she got a job at a post office in Smithfield. She wanted to pursue a better career with the post office, so she decided to go to college. She chose VPCC because it was close, the right size, and offered her preferred degree.
“They had everything I needed,” she said. “Everyone was really accommodating, and it wasn’t too difficult to get enrolled.”
It took her awhile because she was working full time and halfway through, she and Marc decided to become business owners.
“That kind of stretched everything out,” she said.
She took mostly online courses but did have a few classes at the Hampton Campus. She regrets not getting involved in clubs and activities.
“I’m older, so I felt weird about that,” she admitted. “I wish I did because there was a lot of great stuff that came up. It looked really interesting, but I just either I didn’t have the time, or I felt out of place.”
She enjoyed her time at VPCC and got so much out of it that she recommends it to her employees who are not attending a four-year school.
“It’s a great class structure. You have everything you need,” she said.
If there is anything else she learned in her time at VPCC, it’s don’t worry about your age.
“If it’s something that you want to pursue, then don’t wait,” she said.
Fisher is not surprised by Edwards’ success.
“She’s exactly the kind of student who takes what she learns and applies it in a way that lifts both herself and her community,” he said. “I’m really proud of what she’s accomplished, and I think her story reflects the best of what our students can do.”