Sweet Success

    It was a hot day in August 2024. I was at the park with my icy cart. My coolers were filled with Spanish ices in coconut and passion fruit flavors. It was my first day open for business, and I was anxious.

    What if people didn’t like the flavors? What if I said the wrong thing to customers? 

    But in just a few hours, that anxiety became excitement. People lined up to buy ices until we sold out. 

    My first day as Mr. Icy was a success! 

    It was August 2024. I was at the park with my icy cart. My coolers were filled with Spanish ices. It was my first day open for business, and I was anxious.

    What if people didn’t like the flavors? What if I said the wrong thing to customers?

    I shouldn’t have worried. People lined up to buy ices. We sold out!

    My first day as Mr. Icy was a success.

    It was a hot day in August 2024. I was at the park with my icy cart, coolers filled with Spanish ices in coconut and passion fruit flavors. It was my first day open for business, and I was anxious.

    What if people didn’t find the flavors appealing? What if I said the wrong thing to customers?

    But within a few hours, that anxiety became excitement. People lined up to purchase ices until we sold out.

    My first day as Mr. Icy was a success!

    It all began with my younger sister, Kate’Dalys. She had a business selling her art at craft fairs. Sometimes she would jokingly wave the money she made in my face. It made me a little jealous. But it also inspired me. I thought, “Why not create my own business?” 

    First, I needed a good idea. Starting a food truck sounded really exciting. But I couldn’t afford a truck. My older sister, Angelie, suggested a small cart instead. I could use it to sell Spanish ices. 

    Not many other people in our area of Massachusetts sold this refreshing summer treat. 

    Next, I got to work. My mom and I bought wood to build my cart. We painted it and made signs noting flavors and prices. We also created a Facebook page. Here, we listed our business hours, any new flavors, and where in the park we would be set up. 

    On our first few days, we sold ices for a few hours, mostly in the afternoon. If the weather was nice, we’d stay open a bit longer.  

    Then something crazy happened: People posted about Mr. Icy on social media. Soon we went viral. The local news station interviewed me. I couldn’t believe people were coming out just to see me, a teenager!

    It began with my little sister, Kate’Dalys. She had a business selling her art at craft fairs. Sometimes she would jokingly wave the money she made in my face. It made me jealous. But it inspired me too. I wanted to start a business.

    Starting a food truck sounded fun. But I couldn’t afford a truck. My older sister, Angelie, suggested a small cart instead. I could use it to sell Spanish ices. This summer treat was not common in our area of Massachusetts.

    My mom and I bought wood to build my cart. We painted it and made signs noting flavors and prices. We also created a Facebook page. Here, we listed our business hours, any new flavors, and where in the park we could be found.

    At first, we sold ices for a few hours a day. If the weather was nice, we’d stay open longer.

    Then something crazy happened: People posted about Mr. Icy on social media. We went viral. The local news station interviewed me.

    It all began with my younger sister, Kate’Dalys. She had a business selling her art at craft fairs, and sometimes she would jokingly wave the money she earned in my face. It made me a little envious, but it also inspired me. I thought, “Why not create my own business?”

    First, I needed a good idea. Starting a food truck sounded really exciting, but I couldn’t afford a truck. My older sister, Angelie, suggested a small cart instead. I could use it to sell Spanish ices, a refreshing summer treat that was not common in our area of Massachusetts.

    Next, I got to work. My mother and I bought lumber to build my cart. We painted it and made signs noting flavors and prices. We also created a Facebook page where we listed our business hours, any new flavors, and where in the park we would be set up.

    On our first few days, we sold ices for a few hours, mostly in the afternoon. If the weather was especially nice, we’d stay open a bit longer.

    Then something incredible happened: People posted about Mr. Icy on social media, and we went viral. The local news station interviewed me. I couldn’t believe people were coming out just to see me, a teenager!

    By the end of our first summer, I felt so grateful. I wanted to give back to the community that supported me. So I used some of the money I earned to buy school supplies for kids in need. A local business heard what we were doing. They gave us $600 to help buy backpacks.

    Giving back is important to me. But that’s not all I plan to do with the money I earn. I’m also hoping to help my parents buy a house. My siblings and I share rooms. I’d love to have more space and give our dog a yard to run around in. My mom tells me to save my money, but I still want to chip in and help. 

    After all, I couldn’t have done this without my family. My mom helps me make our ads and order supplies. My dad encourages me to put myself out there. My siblings help me serve ices. We work as a team, and I know they’ll always have my back. 

    By the end of our first summer, I felt so grateful. I wanted to give back to the community that supported me. So I used some of the money I earned to buy school supplies for kids in need. A local business heard what we were doing. They gave us $600 to help buy backpacks.

    I like giving back. But that’s not my only plan for the money I earn. I also want to help my parents buy a house. My siblings and I share rooms. I’d love to have more space and give our dog a yard to run around in. My mom tells me to save my money, but I want to chip in and help.

    After all, I couldn’t have done this without my family. My mom helps me make ads and order supplies. My dad encourages me to put myself out there. My siblings help me serve ices. We work as a team. I know they’ll always have my back. 

    By the end of our first summer, I was feeling deeply grateful and wanted to give back to the community that had supported me. I used some of the money I earned to buy school supplies for kids in need. A local business heard what we were doing, and they donated $600 to help buy backpacks.

    Giving back is important to me, but that’s not all I intend to do with the money I earn. I’m also hoping to help my parents buy a house. Currently, my siblings and I share rooms. I’d love to have more space and give our dog a yard to run around in. My mom tells me to save my money, but I still want to contribute.

    After all, I couldn’t have done this without my family. My mom helps me make our ads and order supplies, my dad encourages me to put myself out there, and my siblings help me serve ices. We work as a team, and I know they’ll always have my back.

    While running Mr. Icy has been fun, it hasn’t always been easy. I often struggle with anxiety and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). This can make running a business difficult. If things get busy, I can feel stressed. 

    Luckily, I’ve found ways to calm my anxiety and stay focused. I break big tasks into small steps. This makes them more manageable. And I try to stay organized so I don’t get stressed as easily. 

    Since August 2024, my business has kept growing. Last summer, I made about $16,000! We upgraded my cart to a trailer and added more menu items. We’ve also started getting booked for events, like local fairs. We’ve even done a wedding!

    One day, I’d love to open a storefront so we can reach more people. I hope to keep growing Mr. Icy—and find new ways to give back.

    If you’re thinking about starting your own business, do it! Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Believe in your dream. And take things one step at a time. 

    Running Mr. Icy is fun. But it isn’t always easy. I struggle with anxiety and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). This can make running a business hard. If things get busy, I can feel stressed.

    Luckily, I’ve found ways to calm my anxiety and stay focused. I break big tasks into small steps. This makes them more manageable. And I try to stay organized so I don’t get stressed as easily.

    Since August 2024, my business has grown. Last summer, I made about $16,000! We upgraded my cart to a trailer and added more menu items. We’ve gotten booked for events, like local fairs. We’ve even done a wedding!

    I’d love to open a storefront one day. That way, we could reach more people. I hope to keep growing Mr. Icy—and find new ways to give back.

    If you want to start a business, do it! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Believe in your dream. And take things one step at a time. •

    Although running Mr. Icy has been fun, it hasn’t always been easy. I often struggle with anxiety and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), which can make running a business difficult. If things get busy, I sometimes feel stressed.

    Fortunately, I’ve found ways to calm my anxiety and stay focused. I break big tasks into small steps, which makes them more manageable. And I try to stay organized so I don’t get stressed as easily.

    Since August 2024, my business has kept growing. Last summer, I made about $16,000! We upgraded my cart to a trailer and added more menu items. We’ve also started getting booked for events, like local fairs and even a wedding!

    One day, I’d love to open a storefront so we can serve even more customers. I hope to keep growing Mr. Icy—and find new ways to give back.

    If you’re considering starting your own business, go for it! Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Believe in your dream. And take things one step at a time. •