How to Make Money Selling Snow Cones

The ever popular snow cone

The first known snow cones, also known as snowballs, were patented in 1934 in Louisiana by Earnest Hanson. His wife invented flavors to pour over balls of ice in her kitchen. Since then, this sweet treat has gained popularity around the world. More solid then Italian ices, you eat them like an ice cream cone. You can find them at shacks, vendor carts and amusement parks. Even mobile trucks and vans sell them in the same way that regular ice cream trucks offer ice cream cones. A snow cone on a hot day is pure bliss. Kids and adults alike love them and with the large variety of flavors, they have become an excellent item to sell because you can make them easily for any ones taste preferences. One of the most well known and welcome sights is a snow cone cart.

Things You'll Need

• Vendor cart Block ice maker and water source Ice shaver Paper cones, napkins and other supplies Snow cone syrups Freezer Cash register Proper business permits for your location Snow cone making machine

Instructions

1. 

   Obtain a portable vendor cart, which will allow you to move your business to different locations. Some carts come already equipped with snow cone making machines and equipment. Some are just basic carts with places to set up your own equipment. Choose the one that fits your needs.

2. 

   Buy and set up your equipment if needed. You can find most of what you will need at a restaurant equipment and supply store. A must-have for most snow cone business owners is a block ice maker. You could have ice blocks delivered but sooner or later it will be easier and more economical to make your own blocks of ice. Use a commercial grade freezer in order to freeze the large blocks of ice quickly.

3. Get an ice shaver. Some shavers shave larger cubed ice, and some shave the larger blocks. The shaver should go to your left as you work. This allows customers to watch, plus cuts down on backtracking in a limited work area. You will need an assortment of flavorings to add to the shaved ice. Place these close to the shaved ice with the popular flavors closest to your reach. The flavored shaved ice is then scooped into the paper cones to be sold. The shaver, shaved ice, flavorings and cone cups should all be arranged to be reached easily for maximum production.

4. Find out what kind of permits you will need. Each state or community has its own set of rules about vendor permits, zoning, sales permits, etc. If you are not sure who to contact, ask your local Chamber of Commerce representative. They can point you in the right direction and offer tips to obtain what you need.

5. 

   Select a location or sales route. Since your cart is mobile, you can follow the fair route and set up at all the local community festivals and fairs. Another option is to set up in parking lots of established businesses such as service stations, restaurants and shopping centers. Just be sure to get written permission first to do so.

6. 

   Advertise a grand opening. Distribute fliers and coupons. Ask everyone you know to spread the news by word of mouth. As your business grows, you could advertise on the radio. Create a jingle that will stick in people's heads and help them remember you.
   Choose a business name that is catchy and unique. Continue to advertise so that when people go to fairs or amusement parks, they will look for your particular cart. Selling snow cones can be a profitable business because snow cone lovers don't mind spending money on a hot day for a little bit of heaven in a cup.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a cart umbrella to keep your cool as you work. Stick with common popular flavors at first and then branch out to more exotic ones.

• Make sure your source of water meets government standards for public sale to avoid any contamination.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Guide to Snow Cone Machines and Equipment