I was planning on writing a quick 'Into to spring' post since I spotted James Karagiannis and his Ice Creamcycle cruising around the West Side the other day. But we're looking at some storm clouds and light flurries, so I figured that I would update BRO readers about this young entrepreneur's latest dreams and directions. I caught up with James moments ago and asked him about a few of his sweet plans.
"The first day I went out on the Ice Creamcycle I could still see my breath - the other two days were much nicer and I sold out of everything. I've been going around Hertel/Colvin a bit, but the best neighborhood is between Grant and Niagara - that's the most lucrative area for me. The few days that I've gone out I've sold out. There are so many people over there - that's the new hot spot. The business has become so successful that in order to grow I really need to find some central locations to store my bike around the Richmond/Ashland area (if anyone can help). It would also be nice to have a fridge somewhere in the area so that I could stock up without having to ride home. It's all part of a bigger plan - I think I'm going to start making my own ice cream. That way I can sell to some local stores throughout the year - eventually I would like to open up an ice cream salon in the city... maybe something that could be franchise-able. At this point, I'm working with the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State College to develop the plan.
"This summer I am planning on organizing an ice cream festival - it's going to be during the Buffalo Homecoming event. I want to put together an ice cream and dessert festival where all of the ice cream and sweets businesses can join in. It's tentative at this time - I've never put an event together before. I've been talking to some local businesses that appear to be interested though. I ultimately envision a big festival in years to come."
Oh, and nice CityLove t-shirt James!
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"The first day I went out on the Ice Creamcycle I could still see my breath - the other two days were much nicer and I sold out of everything. I've been going around Hertel/Colvin a bit, but the best neighborhood is between Grant and Niagara - that's the most lucrative area for me. The few days that I've gone out I've sold out. There are so many people over there - that's the new hot spot. The business has become so successful that in order to grow I really need to find some central locations to store my bike around the Richmond/Ashland area (if anyone can help). It would also be nice to have a fridge somewhere in the area so that I could stock up without having to ride home. It's all part of a bigger plan - I think I'm going to start making my own ice cream. That way I can sell to some local stores throughout the year - eventually I would like to open up an ice cream salon in the city... maybe something that could be franchise-able. At this point, I'm working with the Small Business Development Center at Buffalo State College to develop the plan.
"This summer I am planning on organizing an ice cream festival - it's going to be during the Buffalo Homecoming event. I want to put together an ice cream and dessert festival where all of the ice cream and sweets businesses can join in. It's tentative at this time - I've never put an event together before. I've been talking to some local businesses that appear to be interested though. I ultimately envision a big festival in years to come."
Oh, and nice CityLove t-shirt James!
This is exactly the kind of young man that deserves to be celebrated with the key to Buffalo.
No not for his ice cream but look how young he is an how he is a role model for other young Buffalonians.
James, would you consider franchising your cart business to other young kids over Buffalo for a small fee. I bet there are kids and parents who would love for their kids to develop and entrepreneurial skill during their teenage years downtown, the eastside and south buffalo, snyder, williamsville areas too.
But its not just james that needs to be celebrated. Are there young kids who are fixing cars until they can afford their own garage? Can the city perhaps offer delinquent property to for budding mechanics?
What about abandoned urban land, can we plant fruit trees and and use those for community gardens?
What about olmsted parks, can we use the centrality of our urban parks for famers markets for our budding entrepreneurs?
I love our degreed professionals but not everyone is meant tto be a degreed professional. Some make nice livings and are extremely talented mechanics, plumbers, electricians and artisans...which we can and should support.
Thing about Buffalo is...this is part of our genetic dna. Buffalonians are natural artisans and crafstman...from the immigrant ancestors who came to our country and built our churchs and started our restaurants, as well as made our steel, primed our railroads, dug our canals. Buffalonians are true americans...and as James epitomizes...this is who we are!