Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Marsh.
Hi Janet, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Janet Marsh and I am the owner of Snow Cone City. We started with a Mobile Concession Trailer in April 2021. We worked sports league games, corporate events, birthday parties, and such. In October 2023, we opened our Brick-N-Mortar location. After retiring from the Postal Service with 33+ years of service, I decided to start Snow Cone City as a way to supplement my income. I took a business class through the Wings Dallas program and learned a lot! It was while being stuck in the house because of the pandemic. When we started, I had already purchased my trailer. We started working at the Seagoville Flea Market on the weekends. Once people started to learn about us, we began to be booked for private events. I was able to become the vendor of choice with Neighborhood Sports Forney and Seagoville Youth Sports Association. We were the only snow cone vendor at all of their games. We did that for 2 years. During that time, I took 2 other business classes. One with Capital One and another with Bishop Omar School of Entrepreneurship. Increasing my knowledge of the business world played a huge role in my being able to secure my Brick-N-Mortar location.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I faced many struggles. The first was when my trailer was ready to be picked up, my husband had wrecked and totaled our truck. So, we had no way to pull the trailer home. I had to get my neighbor to help me. That, topped with the fact that I have never pulled a trailer in my life and knew absolutely nothing about how to do that was very intimidating to me! My husband was in the hospital and when he got out, he was no longer able to drive. I had to learn how to connect the trailer, drive with it in tow, and how to back it up, which was the hardest part of it all.
Another struggle was me stepping out of my box and asking for things, that is not something I was comfortable with because I’ve always done things on my own. When I approached the different sports leagues to ask to be their vendor of choice, that was very hard for me. Going back for a follow-up when I did not receive a response was even harder.
I believe the biggest struggle was when my husband passed away less than 1 month before my graduation from Bishop Omar School of Entrepreneurship. My first mind told me to quiet. Thank God I did not listen. I pushed through, and it was so well worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Snow Cone City, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Snow Cone City is a snow cone shop located in Mesquite, Texas. We sell Snow Cones! We also offer Hot Chocolate during the winter months along with pickles, water, chips, and cotton candy, we have 2 specialty drinks which are Mangonadas and Caramel Apple. Our specialty is snow cones. What sets us apart from the competition is that our syrups are self-serve. Customers appreciate that they are able to mix their flavors however they like at no additional charge. We have over 40 flavors to choose from!
Everything about Snow Cone City started with me, my husband, and my 3 grandchildren, who we have custody of. It is completely our idea.
The fact that I was able to start a business and go from being a mobile concession trailer to having a brick-and-mortar is very rewarding for me.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would say to those just starting out, get as much knowledge as you can! There are many business classes available; you just have to find them.
I wouldn’t wish for anything to be different because my steps got me to where I am today. God has a plan. I pray about everything. The mistakes made were lessons learned.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowconecity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snoconecity
