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START UP A MOBILE ICE CREAM BUSINESS

STEP1. PLANNING

What's involved
It looks so easy, but what's it really like running your own mobile ice cream van business? In short no different than running any other type of business, it requires a lot of hard work, some long hours and a lot of dedication and perseverance to make it work. Combined with the fact that its a seasonal business that relies upon the sun shinning can make selling ice creams a very challenging business to start.   

The main point to remember is that your mobile ice cream business will require you to go out and find the customers (unless you have a fixed trading position), whereas an ice cream parlour in the high street always has passing trade which they need to attract in. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, the parlour in the high street will be paying huge business rents - rates and will have competition on the doorstep, whereas your mobile ice cream business will probably only end up paying a pitch fee for the day or weekly site rent, plus you will be able to pick and choose where you operate the best financial gain.

Unfortunately many individuals who plan to start up selling ice creams are under the impression that they can pick up a cheap ice cream van, park it wherever they like and start trading. The reality is that with all the current food safety regulations and roadside trading laws those individuals fail to make it past the first six months in business through a lack of planning.

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KEY POINTS

CHECK LIST

The initial idea
Have you ever considered starting your own mobile ice cream business?
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What's involved
It looks so easy, but what's it really like running your own mobile ice cream business?
Find out more

Where to trade
Plan where your customers will be and where you can legally trade.
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Be imaginative
Adapt and offer new ice cream products without big changes to your mobile ice cream business.
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Business plan
Financial planning is essential for your new mobile ice cream business.
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RELATED ARTICLES

I've often heard the expression hard top or soft top ice cream vans, does it mean the vehicle has a soft top? No, the expression refers to the type of ice cream sold in the van i.e. hard scoop ice cream or soft ice cream, hence the expression "hard top" or "soft top".

 
 
 
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