Published by Programme B
Do you have the magic touch with ice cream and want to share it with the world? Read on to get the scoop on starting an ice cream business!
Americans love ice cream so it’s not unheard of to start a sweet ice cream business if you have a knack for it. There’s a little more to running a business than making ice cream, though.
You’ve got to have a feel for the industry, come up with a successful game plan, set your budget, and decide on the best location for the business. It’s a ton of work, but you’ve got this!
To help you get your business up and running, here’s the scoop on how you should get started.
1. Get a Feel for the Industry
Before you open up your own ice cream shop, it’s best for you to get a little first-hand experience. The best way to do that? Work at an ice cream shop. This will allow you to work with someone who has been doing it for a while.
You’ll also get a handle on what marketing and inventory will be like when you own your own shop. Make sure to talk to customers. Ask them what it is they like about that ice cream shop.
While you won’t copy the establishment when you have your own business, asking these questions will give you some direction.
2. Come Up with a Plan
If you want to succeed, you’ll need a flawless business plan. This is where you’ll decide what kind of ice cream establishment you want to be.
Do you want to be an independent parlor? Is a franchise more your style? Do you specialize in a particular type of ice cream? Do you think a stand or truck would work better in your location?
Once you figure out the answers to these questions, you can build the framework for the rest of the business.
3. Set Your Budget
Understanding the kind of business you’ll have will help when coming up with your budget. An ice cream truck or stand will require way less money to start up than a brick and mortar shop. You also have to factor in refrigerated warehousing and all the equipment you’ll need.
Your best bet is to decide how big of a loan you’ll need, and then look for a provider that will give it to you.
4. Decide on Your Location
Your location is dependent on the type of business you have. For example, if you decide to have an ice cream truck, you could drive it through areas where children like to play.
If you decide to open an official store, you’ll have to do a bit more research. The key is to find an area that doesn’t have too much competition but has plenty of customer traffic.
Open Up Your Own Ice Cream Business
Like any startup company, opening your own ice cream business is a lot of work. But with the right amount of planning, dedication and hare work, you’ll be bringing in customers in no time. Just keep following your sugary passion.
Once you get your business up and running, you’ll have to put a lot of work in to keep it that way. Check out the business section of our blog daily for helpful tips and tricks.