Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Mcdonald.
Hi Allison, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story started a long time ago when I was in my early twenties. I have always been an entrepreneur at heart wanting more for myself. It took me over thirty years to get to this part of my life, but I have finally made it. It was not always an easy road, but it was well worth it.
Being the youngest of seven children, I was able to set back and learn more about life through my siblings, and I knew that I wanted more for myself. I became a single mom at the age 18 and knew that I had to make a way for my daughter and I. At the age of 19, I met my husband, married at 23, together we have three children. I went to college as a Business Major, received three Associate Degrees in business, and that’s where my road began. I always loved math and critical thinking, so I got involved in accounting; what a challenge! I learned how to turn a penny into a dime in no time.
While still in college, I decided to start substitute teaching, and I realized my love for children and wanting to help others went hand and hand there. I then changed my major and graduated college with a BS Degree in Education. I got my first real job working at Head Start of Greater Dallas as a Literacy Specialist. I worked with kids aged 3-5 and helped parents with obtaining their GED. My goal of entrepreneurship never let up though! I started a tutoring service as a small side business, and from there I kept looking for the next business venture to add to my repertoire.
I got a job with DISD as a Business Teacher, which was ideal for me. I learned to be more creative and used the design skills I gained to help others with legal documents to birthday card, and anything in between. I continued my education and soon received my Masters in Education and Technology a Masters in Counseling alone with some hours in my Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology. Continuing to learn was my way of keeping my kids motivated as well, watching me set and achieve whatever goals I had. This came in handy when my husband was laid off. We had to compensate for the missing income and what better way than to work for yourself! We got my husband’s design and print company off the ground and did so well it struck something in me! I felt it was time for me to move on to my next big idea, so I decided to distance myself from the business, which was called Barry’s Enterprise. I told my husband I want a snow cone house. For years I would pass by different ones in the Dallas area and say that’s going be my snow cone house. Every time I claim a location in my head, believe it or not, someone would open a business there, and it happen to be a Snow Cone house. This went own for many years. The snow cone house stayed in my mind I wanted it and believe I would get it someday. I said to myself it would be my retirement baby, so I kept putting energy into it. Creating ideas and sketches for what I really wanted. One day my Godfather called me and said I got something for you; it was a blueprint of a Mobile Snow cone trailer. My heart stopped!! It was everything I had dreamt of, so I knew it was my time to go get this blessing. With the help from my godfather, my husband alone with my sister and her husband we started building the snow cone trailer in 2019 using funds we had acquired over the years with our many other ventures. Once we finished, we got permission to set up shop in a pretty high-traffic area! We were located at the Walmart shopping center from 2020-2022 on Lake June Road for about 2 years every Saturday and some Sundays. We had plenty of customers, and income was ok, but I knew as time went on, we would get better! Sometimes it was discouraging, but I knew the favor of the Lord was upon us, and God would provide, all we had to do was stay the course. There was time that I had to call on other to step in and help and I give thanks to my 3 children and daughter-in-law. They were there to step in when needed. It’s been two long years working only on Saturday and Sunday, but we are still making it work. Due to the fact the city law changes, and we had to do a lot to upgrade our trailer to their standard. This process was going to set us back a lot, but we stay prayed up, and I kept the faith that this business was going to make it. I could not let anyone stop my shine. In 2022 we decided instead of trying to bring this trailer that was designed my godfather up to the city standard why not invest in a completely new trailer? That’s where we are today. So many blessings came with the ups and downs. We invested receive the new trailer, and now all we had to do were to get a company to let us set up on their property. We went to many places in the Dallas Metroplex and were turned down, but I was not giving up! Finally, I saw a location that had a lot of traffic, and I told my husband this is where we need to be. It took a couple of weeks, but I received a text from the Office Manager telling me the owner said yes. Look at God! We are now housed at Sunana Meat Market, 4202 Pioneer Rd in Balch Springs, Texas 75181. Come by a visited us can’t wait to see you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It had to be when the panic came the world was shut down. We were close to the end of building and was told that we had to stop everything. Our homeowner association tried to put a nail in our building because we were building in our driveway in the backyard. So again, we had to think of another option. I located a company that were able to build me another driveway in my backyard behind the fence. I was super determined, but it wasn’t easy starting off. My godfather was no longer able to come and help us. He was the master player of the whole project. So, me and my husband put our heads together and communicated with him by phone to complete the project during the pandemic.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Educator at heart, been in the field for over 30 years. I have been owning a business for over 10 years, but this Snow cone business has been my dream to bridge the two together; it’s my retirement. My connection and life for children in the community is what makes me different. Being able to teach and guide in school and still have a way to reach them in the hotter months and help keep them on track because we know summertime means a lot of idle time. I want my grandchildren to see all I went through and to be able to leave this business to them. I want to have family wealth. As I venture more into my dream meeting new people, helping others, and running the Snow Cone house brings me joy. You got to put all trust in God and know that he didn’t bring me this far to leave me.
Any big plans?
My big plan is the main plan. To reach as many kids as possible, whether it be through education or giving them a front row seat to entrepreneurship. I must continue to work hard stay focused on what God has put before me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @levelup_snowcones and @levelupnotarytogo
- Facebook: Allison McDonald level up Snow Cones
