Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawone Marshall.
Hi Dawone, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Over the past year, my journey with Iced Out has really been about growth. And not just in the business, but in me. When I first got started, I was focused on building something from the ground up and figuring things out day by day. Now, I’ve grown into a different level of ownership and responsibility.
What started as an idea has turned into something real. I’ve built a brand that people recognize, and I’ve had the opportunity to be part of events all across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Seeing that progression has been big for me, because it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come in such a short period of time.
At the same time, I’ve grown personally. I approach things differently now. I think differently, move differently, and carry the business with a different level of intention than I did in the beginning.
I’m still building, still growing, and still pushing forward, but now it’s with a clearer vision of what I’m working toward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me was learning how to run a business in real time. When I started, I didn’t have everything figured out. I was learning as I went, making mistakes, adjusting, and figuring out what worked and what didn’t.
Another challenge was balancing everything. Building something from the ground up takes a lot of time and energy, and I had to learn how to manage that while still being present for my family and handling everything that comes with everyday life.
There were also moments where things didn’t go as planned. Whether it was slow periods, unexpected expenses, or just the pressure of making sure everything kept moving forward. Those moments force you to either figure it out or fall back, and I chose to keep figuring it out.
Over time, those challenges helped me grow. I became more disciplined, more patient, and more focused on doing things the right way instead of just doing what was easiest in the moment.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run Iced Out, which is a mobile dessert business here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. My focus is on Philly water ice, which isn’t something a lot of people here are familiar with, so a big part of what I do is introducing people to it and letting them experience something different, smooth, consistent, and full of flavor, not like a traditional snow cone.
What really sets me apart is the level of detail I put into everything. It’s not just about serving ice. I focus on how everything comes together, from how we’re set up to how we serve and interact with people. I want the experience to feel organized, professional, and enjoyable from start to finish.
I’ve also built the business in a way that allows me to work in different environments. Whether it’s the truck, an indoor setup, or serving larger groups efficiently, I’ve made it a point to be able to adapt while still maintaining the same quality.
What I’m most proud of is how far it’s come and how people respond to it. Seeing people try it for the first time and come back, or having organizations bring us in for their events, lets me know I’m building something that people actually value.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always outgoing, social, and liked to have a good time. I’ve always had a sense of humor, so I was usually the one joking around and keeping people laughing. I was really into football and video games, and I spent a lot of time doing both.
At the same time, I’ve always had an interest in entrepreneurship, even before I fully understood what that looked like. I liked the idea of building something of my own.
When I was about 25, I actually bought an old ice cream truck with the intention of turning it into a food truck. I wasn’t able to make it work at the time due to a lack of funding, but that experience stuck with me. It was one of the first real steps I took toward trying to create something for myself.
Looking back, I think that mix of being outgoing, creative, and interested in doing my own thing played a big role in where I am now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.icedoutdfw.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/icedoutcups
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566487191252
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iced-out-dfw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/iced-out-duncanville
