Starting an Italian Ice push cart business

Hi, I was wondering if any of you could share any information you have about starting an Italian ice/ice cream push cart business. I live in Charlotte, NC and have been researching information on the web but wanted the advice of an actual person. Please feel free to share what ever knowledge you have. From where to purchase the cart and ice to how profitable it can be for someone who plans to be out in the summer heat daily (making money of course). Thank you in advance for your expertise.

Shay, Hi this is Neil in Florida. Got your email yesterday about the Italian Ice pushcart etc. I am just in the beginning stages of planning out my business. I'm making calls and sending emails now to find out the different types of permits, licences etc. I need to operate fully legally. Whether they be issued by the state, county etc. I also was advised by a free business counseling service called "Score" to use a lawyer to set up everything so I'm fully covered. They suggested setting up business as an LLC. As far as the actual Italian Ice and Pushcart the company I've been having most contact with is italianice.net . They are a very reputable company ( I checked with the better business bureau and they have a perfect track record, no unsettled complaints etc) Their brand name is "Little Jimmy's" Their cart and logos are the best and most eye appealing I've seen. Now whether I'd continue buying my italian ice from them after the initial order of 60 5 gallon containers along with 1 pushcart, logo umbrella, signage, scoops, cups, etc. depends on how competitive their pricing is. Where I am in Florida, near Orlando their are a few different Italian Ice distributors so we'll see. Little Jimmy's is run by 5 brothers and once you fill out information on their site to get their pricing etc. they stay in regular contact with you and are very helpful. One of the brothers Anthony was living in Sarasota Florida and has good specific information for me about operating in Florida and what to expect etc. I'd highly recommend checking out their site, they have some video clips there and it's a good site. Like you I have a bunch of questions about where to keep backup ice when doing say a 2 day event like a fair or festival etc. and they obviously help you a lot more if you purchase one of their cart plans. Some other sites I've looked at include 1.Penguin Italin Ice 2. Via Venetto think it's called and a couple others I forget the names of but if you google "italian ice" a bunch pop up. Good luck and keep in touch, we can share our growing pains lol and hopefully healthy profits in time.....take care, Neil

Via Venetto Italian Ice can be purchased in the Charlotte area from the Hershey Ice Cream Distributor nearby.

www.hersheyicecream.com


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