Thanks to Pacific Coast Regional SBDC for this story!
As moms of middle-school children, Sarah Reinhardt and Louise Browne-Gonzalez saw the treats being served from ice cream trucks near schools and thought there should be a healthier alternative. They developed the idea for The S’Cream Truck, a modern take on the ice-cream man that serves all-natural, locally made ice cream, served in sensible portions. In October 2011, the partners visited the Small Business Development Center hosted by Pacific Coast Regional (PCR SBDC) to learn about funding and launching their business.
PCR SBDC Business Advisors Myron Perryman, Harold C. Hart-Nibbrig and Matt Mora helped the partners develop cash flow projections and learn to manage their cash flow, form an LLC, develop an operating agreement for investors, fine-tune their social media marketing plan and open for business.
Thanks to PCR SBDC’s help getting their financial projections in order, the partners were able to raise all of the startup capital they needed from friends, family and private investors. Today they can be found at private parties, TV and movie shoots, school fundraisers and other events, selling their signature product, The S’Cream Ball™ and S’Cream Cups, from their converted mail truck.
With annual sales of $25,000, Reinhardt and Browne-Gonzalez are keeping very busy, and plan to bring on employees soon. Eventually, they hope to have S’Cream Balls sold in stores, and ultimately gain nationwide and worldwide recognition for the product and the brand.
Along the way, the partners continue to turn to the PCR-SBDC. “They gave us the confidence we needed to keep moving forward,” says Browne-Gonzalez.
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