THIS FAMILY RUNS ON GIRL POWER & SO MUCH MORE The Keen family is dominated by females and traditionally known around town for some major girl power on and off the soccer and Lacrosse fields. Dad, Michael, and mom, Colleen, can typically be found with the girls managing or refereeing a sports team, volunteering at an Indian Prairie School District PTA event, teaching religious education classes at Holy Spirit Catholic Community Church in Naperville, or visiting Edward Hospital with their therapy dog.
They know the footprint their large family can make on the community and have ingrained volunteering in all five girls, MaryFaye, Ellie, Francys, Molly, and MaryEdythe for years.
“It’s awesome how each member can get something completely different out of an experience because we each interacted with different people in our unique way,” MaryFaye shares.
Compassion, faith, and a strong work ethic are at the core of the Keen family, and Colleen had a vision to use this girl power to create a family run business with everyone involved.
“Sweet Mary’s evolved naturally and started with their love of ice cream and the experience it creates when sharing with friends,” MaryFaye says. “The community is the best part of Sweet Mary’s and we have the best time engaging our friends and neighbors at block parties, athletic games, farmers markets, school fundraisers, and neighborhood events.”
The family started this business on the basis of sharing smiles and creating positivity through ice cream, and has been amazed at how the simplicity of an ice cream bike can help empower some young girls with business confidence and sense of purpose. –Kristen Kucharski
Photos by Mike Mantucca
