Janet Marsh shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Janet, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me starts with a cup of coffee and some quiet time on my computer. I check and respond to emails, making sure everything that needs attention is handled early. Then comes the part I joke about every morning—waking my grandson up for school! It’s a bit of a struggle sometimes, but I keep reminding him how important it is to finish strong.
After dropping him off, I head back home to tackle a few quick chores—maybe a load of laundry or prepping my meal for the day. If I have errands to run, I’ll take care of those on my way to the store.
Once I arrive at the shop, I jump right into my opening routine: cleaning the spouts, mopping, sanitizing the tubs, filling the ice bins, and making syrups to get everything ready for the day. When everything’s in place, I set out my giant snow cone display, flip the open sign, and get ready to serve customers. Throughout the day, I also take photos of products and creations to post online and keep our social media fresh.
When closing time comes, I tidy up the store, secure everything, and head home. My evenings are simple—I eat dinner, count the day’s earnings, and unwind before getting ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Janet Marsh, and I’m the proud owner of Snow Cone City, a family-run snow cone shop located in Mesquite, Texas. What started as a simple idea to bring a little sweetness and joy to our community has grown into a vibrant local spot where families, friends, and kids come to cool off, laugh, and make memories.
Snow Cone City is unique because it’s more than just a snow cone stand—it’s built on love, community, and second chances. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. With the support of my family, especially my grandson who helps out regularly, I turned that dream into reality.
We take pride in offering over 60 delicious flavors, specialty drinks, and fun treats that bring people together. Beyond serving great snow cones, I’m passionate about community involvement, partnering with schools, local organizations, and events to spread positivity and support small businesses like mine.
Right now, I’m focused on growing the Snow Cone City brand, expanding our seasonal offerings, and finding creative ways to stay connected with customers year-round.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I opened the doors to Snow Cone City for the very first time. Standing there, looking around at everything I had worked so hard to build—the bright colors, the smell of syrup in the air, and my family by my side—I realized I had turned my vision into reality.
It wasn’t just about owning a business; it was about proving to myself that it’s never too late to start over, dream bigger, and do something you truly love. That moment reminded me that power isn’t about control—it’s about courage, faith, and perseverance. Knowing that I built something that brings joy to others every single day—that’s where my real power comes from.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up—after my husband passed away. Losing him was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. We had shared so many dreams and plans together, and when he was gone, I felt like a part of me went with him. For a while, I didn’t have the motivation to move forward. Everything felt heavy and uncertain.
But in that season of grief, something in me began to shift. I realized that the best way to honor his memory was to keep going—to build something he would’ve been proud of. That’s when I started pouring my energy into Snow Cone City. It gave me purpose again. Every flavor, every customer’s smile, every milestone felt like a small piece of healing.
Even on the hardest days, I can still feel his presence pushing me forward. He may not be here physically, but I know he’s watching over me, proud that I didn’t give up on the dream we once talked about.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is very much the real me. What you see at Snow Cone City—the smiles, the laughter, the warm greetings—is who I truly am. I take pride in being authentic, whether I’m serving a customer, talking to another business owner, or just spending time with my family.
Of course, like anyone else, I have moments the public doesn’t always see—the tired days, the quiet reflections, and the times when I’m just trying to figure things out. But even then, I don’t put on a different face for the world. What you see is a woman who’s been through a lot, who’s still learning, growing, and grateful for every blessing that comes her way.
So yes, the public me and the private me are one and the same—real, imperfect, and full of heart.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was a woman who never gave up—someone who turned pain into purpose and dreams into reality. I want to be remembered as a woman who loved deeply, gave generously, and always tried to leave people feeling better than she found them.
I hope they say that Snow Cone City wasn’t just a business, but a place built on love, family, and community. That it brought people together, created smiles, and gave young people—like my grandson—a real example of what hard work and faith can do.
Most of all, I want people to remember that I lived my life with gratitude. That no matter what I went through—loss, challenges, or setbacks—I kept going. I want my story to remind others that it’s never too late to start over, chase a dream, and make a difference right where you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://snowconecitytexas.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snoconecity
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@snowconecityllctexas
