Odd Jobs - 🍦Ice Cream Screams: Moneeeeeyyyy.
Hi Oddies, I went out for ice cream on Friday night to try this new spot in Brooklyn that’s getting a lot of hype. I went to the counter to order a “tiny” scoop (that’s what they call their small size) and pulled out $5 in cash to pay for it. The cashier said: That’ll be $8.75. $8.75 for a scoop of ice cream smaller than my elbow? Yes. Of course I paid. Of course I shared my tiny scoop with the husband and the baby. Of course I had hmmmm maybe just a little lick of it. Which got me thinking — this place and business is a gold mine. The ice cream was not good. The hype around them comes from their interesting flavors. That’s really it. So it got me thinking — how cool would it be to start an ice cream business? Mostly, how profitable would it be? Ice cream businesses can yield solid returns, with typical profit margins ranging from 5% to 25%. Annual revenues for a standard ice cream shop often fall between $100,000 and $600,000. Let’s explore that below. Love, 💻 But First: My Tech StackI’ve been eyeballing a lot of X threads of people’s tech stacks — the tools they swear by for their business and life. So I decided to keep a running list of my own right here. I’ll update this each week with the best tools I use as a solopreneur: Social Media & Marketing:
Website:
Content Creation:
Random but Good:
Make Money Stack:
How to Make Money Selling Ice Cream:Are you looking for a cool business opportunity that can bring both joy and profit? Consider diving into the delicious world of ice cream! With Americans spending an average of $3.50 to $5.35 per scoop in popular vacation spots, starting an ice cream shop or scoop truck can be a surprisingly profitable venture. Let's explore how you can turn this sweet treat into a successful business.
The first step is deciding how you want to serve your frozen delights. Options include: a) Brick-and-mortar shop: Ideal for high-foot-traffic areas, offering a stable location and seating for customers. b) Food truck: Perfect for mobility, allowing you to follow the crowds and attend events. c) Ice cream cart: A low-cost option great for beaches, parks, and festivals. d) Kiosk: A middle ground between a cart and a shop, suitable for malls or busy street corners.
Research shows that ice cream prices vary significantly by location. In vacation spots, prices range from $3.50 in Sandusky, Ohio, to $5.35 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Consider setting up shop in tourist areas where people are more likely to indulge in treats and willing to pay premium prices.
Initial investments can vary widely depending on your chosen model:
Factor in costs for equipment, ingredients, licenses, and permits. Or you could go a different route and franchise an existing ice cream brand, like Cold Stone. But this route will cost you — big time: $322,675 - $627,775.
Offer a mix of classic and unique flavors to cater to diverse tastes. Research local favorites – for example, Buckeye in Ohio, Marionberry in Oregon, or Coffee in Seattle. Don't forget vegan and dairy-free options to expand your customer base.
Based on the study, a profitable pricing strategy could be:
Remember to account for your costs and local market rates when setting prices.
Create a unique brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Use social media to showcase your flavors and engage with customers. Consider regional ice cream lingo in your marketing – like "frappe" in the Northeast or "concrete" in the Midwest – to connect with locals. Here’s some more information on how to set yourself apart in the ice cream world.
Ice cream sales typically peak in summer. Plan for slower winter months by offering complementary products like hot chocolate or coffee, or consider operating seasonally in tourist areas.
A well-run ice cream business can be quite profitable. Let's break it down:
If you sell 200 scoops per day during peak season:
Remember to account for overhead costs like rent, utilities, and staff wages.
Join industry associations like the National Ice Cream Retailers Association for networking and learning opportunities. Consider taking courses in food safety and business management to enhance your skills. Read the do’s and don’ts of this business.
As your business grows, explore options like catering, wholesale distribution to local restaurants, or even franchising your concept. Finally, dive into this Reddit board for real comments from ice cream shop owners. 🙏 How to Support Odd Jobs Newsletter:Jen Glantz here! Your support of this newsletter means a lot to me. I write and run this on my own. To keep it an honest and spam-free place, I hardly ever run ads. So if you’d like to help keep this newsletter up and running, consider becoming a paid-subscriber. You’ll have access to workshops (on-demand and live) and my coaching services so I can help you brainstorm and execute your own odd job or side hustle. Thank you, endlessly! You're currently a free subscriber to Odd Jobs. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. |
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