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,

Jen Glantz

💻 But First: My Tech Stack

I’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:

• Tailwind: Makes it super easy to schedule 100+ pins a month on Pinterest.

• Flodesk: Marketing emails that are easy to design and send.

• Event Share: Lets all guests upload photos to one spot at/after an event

• Any Email Finder: Gives you anyone’s email. I use this for outreach.

• 48-Hour Logo: A speedy fast way to get logo designs for your bizz.

• ReplyGuy: A service that mentions your bizz on Reddit and Twitter.

Website:

• Showit: Both of my websites are designed on this platform.

• InstaWP: A fast and easy way to build a Wordpress website.

• Weebly: Free website builder that requires zero coding or skills

• Opt-in Monster: Helps you capture leads on your website in a handful of ways

• Swift Brief: Scans your website and suggests + writes SEO blog posts for it.

Content Creation:

• Fiverr: Outsource work and get quick results. I use it for editing, social media, and design.

• Typefully: Writes you catchy, personalized, and engaging Linkedin posts

• Hemingway: Edits your writing in real-time to make it perfect and professional

Random but Good:

• Toggl: A time-tracking tool that organizes how you spend your minutes.

• Cratejoy: My go-to last minute gift for a birthday or holiday.

• Classpass: Not tech but it’s part of my life stack. I take workout classes using this app.

Make Money Stack:

• Poshmark: I sell clothes and other items around the house

• Etsy: Dreaming up what to sell on this platform.

• Survey Junkie: Get paid to take surveys

• Howl: How I get affiliate/brand deals as a creator

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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.

1. Choose Your Business Model

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.

2. Location, Location, Location

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.

3. Startup Costs

Initial investments can vary widely depending on your chosen model:

• Food truck: $50,000 - $120,000

• Small shop: $20,000 - $50,000

• Ice cream cart: $2,000 - $10,000

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.

4. Develop Your Menu

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.

• Add some weird flavors in so you get buzz - like these places.

5. Pricing Strategy

Based on the study, a profitable pricing strategy could be:

• Standard scoop: $3.50 - $5.35

• Premium or specialty flavors: $5.50 - $7.00

• Toppings: $0.50 - $1.00 each

Remember to account for your costs and local market rates when setting prices.

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6. Marketing and Branding

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.

7. Seasonal Considerations

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.

8. Profit Projections

A well-run ice cream business can be quite profitable. Let's break it down:

• Average price per scoop: $4.50

• Cost of ingredients per scoop: $1.00

• Gross profit per scoop: $3.50

If you sell 200 scoops per day during peak season:

• Daily revenue: $900

• Daily gross profit: $700

• Monthly gross profit (30 days): $21,000

Remember to account for overhead costs like rent, utilities, and staff wages.

9. Resources and Support

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.

10. Expansion Opportunities

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.

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