Cremosos began in a moment shaped by loss. Just three days after his father passed away, Manny felt a clarity take hold — an idea rooted in memory, family routine, and a desire to build something meaningful for the future. What started as a moment of grief became a bold step into entrepreneurship, guiding him from inspiration to action, through obstacles and opportunities, and ultimately toward long-term financial mobility.

Purpose, Family, and Flavor 

Enmanuel “Manny” Almonte grew up surrounded by the smell of sweet potato and coconut simmering in his family’s kitchen. Those flavors shaped his earliest memories and later inspired the foundation of Cremosos. They represented comfort, identity, and connection, the exact feeling he wanted people to experience through his products. 

As the business grew, he saw the emotional impact of his flavors firsthand. “It’s funny when people try, especially the batata with coconut… they’re like, ‘Wow, I just traveled back to when I was a kid.’”

Even the brand carries that intention. Papa Bear, the Cremosos mascot, is a tribute to Manny’s father — a symbol of the warmth, protection, and love that shaped him, now carried forward through every flavor.  This became his purpose: to bring tradition forward, to honor memory, and to build a business infused with family and meaning.

As he explains, “I want people to create sweet and lasting memories through our ice pops.” 

Building a Business with Intention 

Manny launched Cremosos in 2021 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Production began with a small blender, six gallons at a time, and quickly accelerated as more customers discovered his handcrafted, culturally inspired flavors. 

He describes himself as naturally shy, but entrepreneurship required a new kind of confidence. As he often reminds himself, “Being shy won’t get me anywhere.” That determination helped him expand from ten local stores to dozens across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. His mother joined him in production, turning Cremosos into a family effort that strengthened the legacy he aimed to build. 

From a Financial Barrier to the Right Support 

As demand increased, Manny needed new equipment to meet production needs. He approached his bank, but traditional financing was not available at that moment. The business was ready to grow, but it needed the right tools. His banker referred him to Ascendus and connected him with Dayanne Bohorquez, Lending Manager for New England and Expansion Regions. From the first conversation, Manny felt understood.  

“She understood what it is like to be a business owner and sometimes the struggles that we go through.” 

Through Ascendus, Manny secured flexible capital to purchase critical equipment and stabilize cash flow. He also received financial coaching and technical assistance, reinforcing his credit habits and building the financial readiness needed to scale.

“I got the equipment, and now I am able to keep expanding.” 

This moment became the turning point that shifted Cremosos into its next stage of growth. 

A Graduation Fueled by Readiness 

Cremosos soon reached more than ninety retailers and scaled production from 190 units per day to up to 9,000. This operational maturity, paired with responsible repayment and disciplined financial management, positioned Manny for his next milestone: graduation into mainstream bank lending. He secured a $70,000 business term loan and a $30,000 business line of credit from this local bank. Graduation reflects what we aim to enable: stronger credit, broader financial access, and long-term independence. 

Manny often reflects on the distance he has traveled. “Sometimes I sit down and I think about where we started… it makes me think about if my dad was here, how proud he would be of the process and how far we’ve come.”

How Manny’s Journey Reflects the Path to Ascension 

Manny’s experience reflects the purpose of the Path to Ascension: supporting entrepreneurs from early stability to long-term mobility. Through capital, coaching, and readiness-building tools, he strengthened his foundation, expanded operations, and transitioned into traditional financing. His journey shows how strategic guidance helps entrepreneurs rise while maintaining control of their vision and purpose. 

Business Impact 

• Increased business revenue 12x, reflecting significant operational and market growth. 
• Expanded production from 190 units per day to up to 9,000 units per day, demonstrating a 50x increase in capacity. 
• Successfully secured $100,000 in traditional financing from his local bank — a $70,000 term loan and a $30,000 line of credit — following Ascendus support. 

Household Impact 

• Increased household income by 4.2x, strengthening overall family financial stability. 
• Improved credit to a peak score of 700, with zero past-due balances, enhancing long-term bankability and access to mainstream financial products. 

Community Impact 

• Created five part-time jobs, supporting local economic activity and shared prosperity. 
• Expanded retail presence from 10 stores to more than 90 retailers across MA, NH, and RI — increasing cultural visibility and bringing Dominican-rooted flavors into mainstream New England markets. 
• Generates meaningful moments of emotional connection for customers who recognize flavors from their childhood and feel a sense of belonging. 

A Journey That Continues to Rise 

Cremosos has become part of Manny’s legacy — not only honoring the past but building a foundation for what comes next. His business now supports local jobs, expands cultural visibility, and brings a taste of home to thousands of people across New England. 

This is the power of ascension: when a single vision becomes momentum, and momentum becomes opportunity — for a family, for a business, and for a community. 

And as Manny looks ahead, he leaves a message for those rising behind him: “To all those young entrepreneurs that are out there, I want to tell them: never give up. It’s not easy. There are always people willing to help, and people who can connect you to the right opportunities — just like it happened to me when I was looking for support, and Ascendus got me to where I am.” 

The journey isn’t finished.
It’s growing.
It’s rising.
This Way Up!