Built on Grace: How Tammy Ullery Turned a Family Tradition into a Richmond Landmark 

Walk past the corner of the Historic Depot District in Richmond, Indiana, and you can't miss it — a vibrant brick-red storefront, its windows practically glowing with the promise of something sweet. Step inside, and you'll find up to 20 rotating flavors chalked onto the menu board, from classic vanilla bean to vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options built for every kind of ice cream lover. But if you ask Tammy Ullery, co-owner of Ullery's Homemade Ice Cream, what she's really serving, she won't lead with the flavors. She'll tell you about family. About faith. And about a legacy that's now four generations deep. 

From Concession Trailers to a Community Cornerstone 

Ullery's story didn't begin with a storefront. It began with a single antique "hit-and-miss" engine, a hand-cranked batch of vanilla, and a lot of hope. 

Tammy's in-laws started the business roughly 35 years ago, selling nothing but vanilla ice cream out of a trailer at county fairs. It grew fast. Each of their three children eventually took the reins of their own trailer, outfitted with the same vintage engines and small-batch methods — salt, ice, and patience. Before long, four trailers were crisscrossing Ohio and Indiana, bringing homemade ice cream to fairs and festivals across the region. 

Tammy officially became co-owner alongside her husband, Rodney (Rod) Ullery, in May 2000. For over a decade, the couple ran their concession route the same way the family always had: slow, deliberate, and rooted in tradition. Then, in August 2013, they took the leap that would redefine the business — opening the first-ever Ullery's brick-and-mortar storefront in Richmond's Historic Depot District. 

It was a bold move for a business built on mobility. But it worked. The storefront gave Ullery's a year-round home, a place where the community could find them beyond fair season, and a launching pad for a wholesale vertical that now supplies ice cream to regional restaurants. 

Today, the business includes that single retail location and five trailers, still operated by the three siblings and their families. And in a detail that clearly means the world to Tammy, the business is now in its fourth generation — grandchildren included. 

"One of our greatest blessings is seeing the fourth generation contribute to the continued growth of the business," Tammy shares. "As grandchildren reach adulthood, we are encouraged to see them demonstrate a similar commitment to entrepreneurship and leadership." 

More Than a Scoop: Ullery's Role in the Richmond Community 

Ask Tammy why community involvement matters, and she won't give you a marketing answer. She'll tell you it's about relationships. 

Ullery's has deep ties to organizations like The Depot Association, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, and Wayne County Tourism — the kind of local institutions that keep small businesses connected to the people they serve. But perhaps nowhere is that connection more visible than in Ullery's "signature flavor" collaborations. 

Over the years, Tammy has created custom ice cream flavors for nearly 20 different nonprofits, businesses, and four local colleges — each one crafted to represent the spirit of the organization it honors. 

"It is a tremendous honor to have these organizations place their trust in us to create an ice cream flavor specifically designed to represent their organization," Tammy says. "These collaborations have not only strengthened our relationships within the community but have also allowed us to be a small part of celebrating and supporting the work they do." 

It's a simple idea, really — a flavor as a form of tribute. But it speaks to something larger about how Tammy runs her business: everything is personal. Every scoop is a relationship. 

A Leadership Style Rooted in Faith and Humility 

If you spend any time talking to Tammy about leadership, one quote comes up again and again: 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 

It's the verse she turns to when the weight of running a multi-generational business, raising a family, and navigating her own health challenges feels like too much to carry alone. And it's shaped the way she leads — not with bravado, but with quiet confidence and an openness about her own limitations. 

"I have struggled with feelings of inadequacy and questioned whether I have the knowledge or ability to manage everything effectively," Tammy admits. "I have learned that overcoming these challenges requires recognizing my limitations and being willing to ask for help." 

That humility is exactly what makes her leadership so effective. Tammy describes her approach as rooted in integrity, initiative, and a relentless commitment to customer service — values she believes only take hold when they're modeled, not just preached. 

"These values are most effectively taught when they are consistently modeled by ownership and team members alike," she explains. She makes it a point to recognize the unique strengths of every employee and find ways to put those talents to work — for the individual and the business alike. 

Growing the Next Generation, One Scooper at a Time 

Perhaps nowhere is Tammy's leadership philosophy more visible than in how she mentors her young employees. 

Ullery's has become something of a proving ground for teenagers taking on their very first jobs — and Tammy takes that responsibility seriously. She doesn't just teach kids how to scoop ice cream; she teaches them responsibility, communication, and professionalism, the foundations of any career. 

One story stands out. A young woman worked at Ullery's for seven years, from high school through college, while pursuing a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. As her skills grew, so did her responsibilities — she eventually took over the business's marketing and social media efforts and helped rebuild the company website. 

"Watching her apply the skills she was learning in college to make a meaningful contribution to our business was incredibly rewarding," Tammy reflects. "Experiences like this demonstrate the lasting impact a small business can have in helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed." 

It's a theme that echoes across Ullery's: the business isn't just scooping ice cream, it's shaping futures. 

Looking Ahead, Without Forgetting Where She Came From 

For all the growth Ullery's has seen — from a single trailer to a storefront, a wholesale business, and a four-generation family legacy — Tammy remains focused on what's next. She's eager to expand her management team and grow the wholesale side of the business, building on the momentum the Historic Depot District storefront created back in 2013. 

But ask her what she wants people to know most, and it's not about expansion. It's about gratitude. 

"It is a true honor to continue a multi-generational family legacy," Tammy says, "and to be part of a business that has remained connected to our community for generations." The shop still runs on antique machinery more than 100 years old — a tangible link to where it all started. "Many [customers] make a deliberate effort to visit our business, with some customers stopping in weekly. Their loyalty and support are a constant reminder of the meaningful relationships we have built within our community." 

That's the real story behind the brick-red storefront on the corner. It's not just about ice cream. It's about grace, family, and a community that keeps coming back — one scoop at a time. 

Visit Ullery's Homemade Ice Cream at their Historic Depot District location in Richmond, Indiana, or learn more about their story, flavors, and trailer schedule at ullerys.com.