Adventures in Snow Cones by Nathan

Adventures in Snow Cones by Nathan - August 2021 Scholarship Essay

Two years ago, I decided to open a business which would provide a safe, fun place for kids and teens in our community to hang out. This led me to discover a lot about myself and my community through an unlikely source: snow cones. What can a snow cone teach you? Just about everything! In fact, the lessons I learned align nicely with the snow cone flavors themselves, and I came to know others based on their preferred flavor as well.

My adventure began when I decided to open my own snow cone concession trailer, the launching pad for financial success and the source of free icy treats for unlimited consumption! First, I learned the art of negotiation. Acquiring the start-up funding from my parents was fierce, but sweet, much like the flavor Tigers Blood. I discovered there are people willing to support me 100% if I’m willing to pay interest at 5%. Second, I learned I'm capable of extreme ingenuity, which I liken to the flavor Horchata. Horchata is unexpectedly creamy, full of vanilla and cinnamon. I found the imagination to turn an empty shell into a working food truck. Who knew a health department could have so many requirements for a 15-year-old entrepreneur to meet? I even created four functional sinks without connecting to a water source. Now that’s Horchata.

Unfortunately, others shared my dream and a similar business opened nearby. This taught me competition can be much like Sour Apple; at first, it’s so tart you can’t take it, but with time you appreciate it. Having competition forced me to be more creative so I embraced the idea of Zombie Virus, a mix of lime and blueberry, packing a punch with its unusual name and luminescent color. To edge out the competition, I invented the candy kabob, a fantastic garnish of assorted gummy candies on a stick, which brought sugary fun and an upcharge to every purchase.

Overall, the Rainbow flavored snow cone most represents what I learned about customer service and my community. A Rainbow snow cone is multiple flavors of the customer’s choosing, each as unique as the person themselves. Some like them muddled together, others prefer distinct lines of separation. The trick to finding out which was simply to listen. My customers demonstrated more diversity in my community than I knew existed. They were every color of the rainbow, spoke different languages, and had a variety of physical and mental abilities. I saw parents with limited finances bring yard blankets and games, buy their kids an inexpensive treat, and make invaluable memories. I learned a teenager with autism in my class loves to ride in convertibles as much as I do. I noticed bearded, leather cladded Harley riders are the sweetest customers and best tippers. Every Rainbow customer had their own individuality just waiting to be uncovered.

Perhaps the most significant lesson I learned was gratitude. Our business was located at the local American Legion, and I often witnessed veterans drive up, gather flags and military rifles, then drive off, returning several hours later to unload. Having attended my grandfather’s funeral, I knew they were honoring the life of another veteran. One Legion member made a habit of visiting to receive a complimentary treat. He always ordered the same flavor, Grape. One day I inquired about his flavor choice - his eyes lit up as he reminisced about getting snow cones with his kid brother at the fair. I learned his brother had died in war, one of so many soldiers who made it possible for me to have my freedoms and privileges. I discovered gratitude isn’t extravagant; it’s as simple as a free Grape snow cone.

There were other lessons learned, mostly business items such as taxes, payroll, and profitability. These were important, but not as critical as the discoveries I made about myself and my community. In the end, I had my fill of snow cones in every flavor imaginable. My favorite flavor overall? Black Raspberry Mango - a flavor which taught me to find adventure and sweetness in the most unlikely of places.