CONNECTOR.AE 50 CONNECTOR.AE 51 Lifestyle Lifestyle Connector In Conversation With Marcela Sancho, The Creative Force Behind UAE’s ‘House of Pops’ Ice cream is a beloved treat with its flavours and toppings, catering to everyone’s preferences, from classic vanilla to adventurous choices like mint and nutty blends. Yet, due to its high-calorie content, enjoying it daily isn’t always feasible. Marcela Sancho and Mazen Kanaan, founders of UAE’s popular popsicle brand House of Pops, faced this dilemma themselves. In 2018, as summer approached, Marcela and Mazen felt the need for a refreshing, guilt-free treat that wouldn’t leave them feeling the need for a post-dessert workout. Adding to this Marcela said, “When we began, my partner Mazen and I noticed a lack of refreshing, guilt-free options in the market. Everything seemed indulgent and heavy. With the weather here, sometimes you just want something light and good for you. Our packaging is compostable, aligning with the strong health and environmental trends. We wanted to offer something that’s both healthy and fun, quality ingredients ensure we deliver a delicious product without compromise.” Adding The Sustainability Factor While launching a guilt-free product is important, considering environmental sustainability while selling it is often overlooked. In the early days of House of Pops, they focused on filling a market gap with flavours and nutritional value, initially not prioritising sustainability. However, everything changed when they met a customer at the farmer’s market, prompting them to rethink their approach and integrate sustainability into their core values. Narrating the incident, Marcela recounts, “Initially, our focus was on creating something refreshing and as natural as possible, which was always our guiding principle. However, what shifted our perspective on sustainability happened a few weeks into our venture. It was during one of our farmer’s market days when a customer approached Experimenting in their kitchen with fruits on hand, they created House of Pops. These ice pops are made entirely from natural, plantbased ingredients, they are rich in fibre and free from artificial additives. Connector spoke with Marcela to understand the inspiration behind House of Pops, its diverse flavours, and the journey that led to its creation. It All Started With A Layover In Dubai Marcela, originally from Costa Rica, has a background in hospitality management and culinary arts, driven by a lifelong passion for food. Her journey took her from Thailand, where she spent six months, to France, where she pursued a baking course. En route to France, a 24-hour layover in Dubai unexpectedly captured Marcela’s interest. Despite Dubai not being on her bucket list, she was drawn to its charm and hospitality during her brief visit. Inspired, Marcela decided to stay in Dubai for a year after completing her course with her partner Mazen, a seasoned food and beverage professional from Lebanon. Recognising a gap in the market for guiltfree ice creams, Marcela leveraged her culinary expertise to co-found House of Pops. Marcela began experimenting in her kitchen, drawing inspiration from her travels, Latin American flavours, and childhood favourites to create the flavours for their inaugural sale. Two people, a small bike and a big dream, on 8 September 2018, they made their debut with a pop-up store at a farmer’s market, marking the beginning of their journey in the food industry.
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