Happy New Year!

From all of us at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, HawaiianShavedIce.com, CottonCandyExpress.com, and StickyLife.com, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year! We hope that 2010 will be a year filled with success for you personally and for your businesses.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you during 2009. We look forward to working with you all this year and for many years to come.

Happy New Year!

Save Hundreds of Dollars on a New Swan Block Ice Shaver!

The Swan SI-100e is one of the best block ice shavers available on the market today. This easy to operate machine produces fine flakes of snow that absorb our delicious, award winning flavors to make a perfect shave ice treat for your customers.

Machine operators can easily adjust the texture of the snow with a single knob. This block ice machine comes complete with a strong revolving shield to protect the operator from the spinning ice. It's an ideal machine for high volume locations.

It will hold up to a 7 pound block of ice (max: 6" square or 8" diameter by 6" tall) and features almost 10 inches of space under the shaving disc, making for easy access when filling the cup. For mobile stands or for overseas operation, the Swan block ice shaver is available with 115 volt, 220 volt, or DC 12 volt motors.

During our End of Season sale, you can save over $500 off the regular price of this top of the line Swan machine. Order now and save! If you're a new startup that will be opening up in the Spring of 2010, this is an incredible opportunity to get a high end machine at an excellent price!

Order now so you can practice with it before opening your stand up in the spring. Invite your friends over and let them be your "taste testers"! They get free shaved ice and you get good feedback about how to properly operate the machine to ensure you give your customers a great, consistent product.

If you have any questions about this machine, please feel free to contact us through our website, 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com or give us a call at 1-800-Shaved-Ice. We'll be happy to talk to you about choosing the best machine for your business!

Syrup Flavor of the Week - Margarita!

At HawaiianShavedIce.com we feature one flavor each week and offer it at a reduced cost as a way of saying thank you to our great customers. Purchasing the Flavor of the Week is a great way to sample some of the 80+ flavors we feature. All of our flavors are created in our own production facility after rigorous testing. Our flavors also only contain the finest ingredients available. No expense is spared when it comes to creating flavors for our customers. Our dedication to this fact is evident in the awards we have won over the years!

This week's flavor is Margarita. Now you can enjoy the taste of this great adult beverage in your own home. "Straight from the bar but without the alcohol." Give it a try. Experiment. Give yourself some time during the winter months to create some of your own custom concoctions that you'll be able to serve to your friends and family this next summer!

Enjoy!

The Snowie 1000 Shaved Ice Machine

The Snowie 1000 Shaved Ice Machine is considered a 'best buy' on our website. As a cube ice shaver, it is one of the fastest, yet economical commercial shaved ice machines available on the market today.

The Snowie 1000 has many great features:

*Creates up to 12 fluffy shaved ice services per minute
*Compact design which is great for carts, small stands, or businesses where shaved ice is an add-on to other products
*The custom designed topper allows the operator a quick, efficient way to shape cups of shaved ice.
*Has the ability to be operated with a foot switch (additional cost) allowing the operator to use both hands for shaved ice production

These are only a handful of the benefits attached to the purchase of a Snowie 1000 machine. 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com has sold many of these units to pleased customers.

If you are planning to open a new shaved ice stand in the Spring of 2010 or if you're looking to upgrade or replace an older machine, check out all of the great features that the Snowie 1000 offers. If you purchase your machine during the off season, you will also enjoy a $200 savings over the normal cost of this machine at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.

Purchasing a machine now during the off season gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with it and get comfortable using it prior to opening day for your stand. To see this machine in action, check out this video from the manufacturer. It will allow you to see firsthand how quickly and easily it produces fluffy shaved ice. Check it out and then order your machine from 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and save!

Shameless Promotion

It's time for some shameless promotion. Actually, it's just time to let our products and the great customers who purchased them to lend their support to the fact that the products we feature at HawaiianShavedIce.com are simply the best!

We enjoy hearing from customers about how much they like our products. Whether it's a machine or our syrup flavors, we always like to hear from them!

Here is some feedback we've received from several of our customers:

This machine is the best thing that we have ever bought. Ease of ordering, choices, flavors, shipping.....everything is perfect! Now we can enjoy a little bit of Hawaii every day, not just on vacation. I highly recommend this seller. I look forward to buying from them again in the near future!
Josephine, CA

I was very pleased with the entire transaction. The order was received, processed, and shipped immediately. Even though I live in Florida, ice flavors are seasonal. I am excited to know I can now receive ice flavors any time during the year. Keep up the good work and thanks to all who made this transaction so easy.
Mike, FL

The Shaved Ice Machine that I recently purchased was a gift for my sister-in-law. I always rant and rave about the first one that I purchased from the company. I love this little machine and wouldn’t trade my machine for the world.
Dianna, FL

Delivery time was EXCELLENT. Packing was good, and items arrived exactly as expected. Price was very reasonable, more per bottle than the off-the-shelf stuff you get at Wal-Mart, etc., but the Hawaiian Shaved Ice bottles are bigger, and ounce-per-ounce it is about the same cost. However, you are getting a much better quality product from HSI. Syrup flavors overall were excellent, same quality as what you would find at fairs and carnivals. In fact, I suspect these are the same syrups used by the professional vendors. A great buy.
David, VA

These are just a few of the positive responses we've received from our customers. We have the BEST customers! At HawaiianShavedIce.com we're serious about customer service and offering our customers only the best products at the best prices possible. We hope that you will find everything you need while shopping on our site! Thanks!

Special Christmas Shaved Ice Gift Package at HawaiianShavedIce.com!

At HawaiianShavedIce.com we have put together a very festive, Christmas Shaved Ice Gift Package! There's still time to order it and receive it before Christmas day (only 8 days away now...YIKES).

Our Christmas Shaved Ice Package Includes:

S-660 Shaved Ice Machine (Electrical, 120 Volt)
Choice of 1 Red Colored Syrup Flavor and 1 Green Colored Syrup Flavor.
2 Bottle Pourers
25 Spoon Straws
25 Sno Cone Cups
Set of 3 Ice Molds (not needed if snow cone machine is chosen)
1 Hawaiian Flower Lei (artificial)

This is a great last minute gift idea. It's ideal for that person you know who wants to enjoy an "endless summer". Give them this package and they can enjoy a shaved ice treat any time of the year! It's affordably priced as well! This package is on sale right now for the holidays for only $54.95. Order now!

9 Shopping Days Left!

It's almost here! Christmas is only NINE days away! So, how's your shopping list? I know I still need to go shopping for a couple more people on my list and I'm sure you do too. It's not too late to order products online at one of our great websites:

HawaiianShavedIce.com - We have the best shaved ice and snow cone machines, syrups, and supplies available anywhere on the Internet! Our award winning syrup flavors are sure to please your friends, family, and coworkers. Check out all of the great gift ideas in our Holiday Gift Center.

StickyLife.com - Stickers, keychains, dog tags, static clings, and much, much more...all easily personalized right from your computer! Create and order some great stocking stuffers today! Order ASAP to get your gifts in time for Christmas. We are still running our $0.99 shipping special too!

How to Successfully Market Your Concessions Business, Part 1

We have talked about marketing many different times over the past couple of years. It's topic that will always be on the forefront of any conversation about business until the end of time. Marketing and business are really inseparable.

Over the course of previous posts, we have also recommended various methods and resources to aid you in marketing your business too. The Small Business Administration's website has been mentioned more than once...and it's going to be recommended again now.

The SBA website (www.SBA.gov) is full of great, free resources to business owners and people who are considering going into business for themselves. I would urge you to spend some time digging through their website and see for yourself just how much valuable information is there.

Right now, my recommendation would be for you to take a look at the many different articles available there that are directly aimed at giving you (a business owner) tips and ideas on how to effectively market and advertise your business. This list of articles can be found by clicking here. One of the articles that I found most interesting so far is entitled, "15 Foolproof Ideas for Promoting Your Company". While every one of these points is not applicable to someone who owns a shaved ice or snow cone business, many of the points are very relevant and contain good suggestions.

So, during the offseason (for those of you who own seasonal shaved ice and snow cone stands), I would encourage you to take some time to read these articles. Print them out and read them when you're offline.

There are some "good tools" on the SBA website for your business operation "toolbox" that will help you operate your business more successfully.

Look for Part 2 in How to Successfully Market Your Business in the coming days!

Take care!

Need a Family Gift? Order a Big Kahuna Kit!

Family gifts are sometimes the most difficult things to find and choose. At HawaiianShavedIce.com, we understand that completely and it's why we have created many of the gift packages featured on our Gift Ideas page!

The Big Kahuna Shaved Ice or Snow Cone Package is perfect for families. It's perfect for those who enjoy entertaining groups of friends and family at their home too. The Big Kahuna comes with a huge amount of supplies! One of the great things about giving a gift like The Big Kahuna is that it is something everyone will enjoy for many years to come.

During our holiday sale, you can save $100 on this great package!

The Big Kahuna Shaved Ice or Snow Cone Package includes:
S-660 Shaved Ice Machine or the S4950 Dual Snow Cone Machine (add'l $5.00)
10 quart bottles of Hawaiian Shaved Ice.com Premium Flavor (your choice)
200 Spoon Straws
200 Snow Cone Cups
4 Sets of Ice Molds (not included if S4950 chosen)
10 Bottle Pourers
12 Hawaiian Flower Leis (artificial)

This package will give the recipient family everything they need to crank out great tasting, enjoyable shaved ice or snow cone treats for their family members and friends.

Just one piece of advice here...when you give this gift, make sure you stipulate that you are to receive plenty of tasty snow cones or shaved ice treats whenever you visit throughout the dog days of summer!

Happy Shopping!

How to Easily Create Customized Products at StickyLife.com

We have mentioned StickyLife.com several different times here in the blog - in articles about branding and advertising and articles recommending them for their unique gift ideas.

Now, we're pleased to be able to share their "How To" video. This great video showcases the ease and flexibility that you have as a customer when you go to StickyLife.com and begin to design your own products. Please take a moment to watch the video. After viewing it, we encourage you to visit their website. With only a couple of weeks left before Christmas, you'll be amazed at how many different products are available at great prices throughout the StickyLife.com website. Enjoy!

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Yikes, there are only 18 days before Christmas is here! To ensure that you receive the items you have ordered from us at HawaiianShavedIce.com, please be sure to check out our Holiday Shipping Guidelines.

If you haven't ordered your gifts from us just yet, there is still time! Order now while everything at HawaiianShavedIce.com is on sale. Syrups, snow cone machines, shaved ice machines, and some excellent packages are all on sale. Save a few bucks shopping online from the comfort of your home!

StickyLife.com, It's FULL of Great Gift Ideas!

The gift ideas that may be discovered over at StickyLife.com is virtually endless. Stocking stuffers, gifts for grads, gifts for dads, gifts for students, car buffs, etc, etc...they can all be found at StickyLife.com.

There are 3 great reasons to do some holiday gift shopping over there:

1. Great products. Quality, durable, well made products are what you can expect when you purchase at StickyLife.com.
2. Inexpensive.Personalized gift items that are easy on your wallet.
3. $0.99 shipping!

Are you able to drive your car to and from several different stores for only $0.99? I didn't think so! Why waste your time and money on fighting traffic, venturing into overcrowded stores, and still not finding what you want. Instead, sit right down at your computer, in the comfort of your home and shop away at StickyLife.com. Get creative and order gifts for your friends and family online!

Happy Holidays!

Cyber Monday Sale at HawaiianShavedIce.com

For a limited time (until Tuesday Dec. 1st), you can save 10% off of your entire purchase at HawaiianShavedIce.com. When prompted during the checkout process, use the Coupon Code DEC12 to ensure your 10% discount! Now is the perfect time to order gift items, restock on needed supplies for the summer, or be bold and daring by ordering new flavors to try out with your home shaved ice or snow cone machine.

Whatever the case may be, it's a great time to order from HawaiianShavedIce.com. Visit, order and save money!

15% Off Discount at HawaiianShavedIce.com

For a limited time, you can save an additional 15% off of your online order at HawaiianShavedIce.com by using the following coupon code during your checkout: NOV24.

So, why brave the crowds on Black Friday? You can start your cyber shopping now...from the comfort of home!

Are you not sure about what to purchase? Check out our most popular holiday gift items. We have created some great, affordable packages that will be a hit for families who enjoy snow cones and shaved ice.

Happy Shopping!

Is the Snow Sled the Coolest Shaved Ice Truck Out There?

Earlier this month, Joann from St. Louis Snow Cone commented on our blog here and asked to have their company submitted into our Shaved Ice Directory. I went to the website for her company and was blown away by what I saw!



I believe this is one of the best looking shaved ice vehicles I have ever seen! I would encourage you to visit their website at www.stlsnowcone.com where you will be able to view how they built this awesome looking vehicle out of a 1957 step van.

If you're thinking about making your own customized vehicle for service in the shaved ice or snow cone business, I would recommend that you take a look at their layout and design as well. Their setup looks pretty efficient to me.

Thanks Joann for leaving a comment on our blog and giving us the opportunity to check out your company's great signature vehicle. We wish you continued success with your business!

Readers, do you know of another great looking, unique vehicle or setup that is being used in the shaved ice or snow cone industry? If so, let us know and we'll feature it here.

Thanks.

35 Days Until Christmas! Ahhh!!!!

That's right, there are only 35 days until Christmas is here! This holiday season is flying by quickly. How are you doing with your shopping? If you need some inspiration on selecting some creative gifts for family members or children, then I encourage you to visit the Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Gift Center at HawaiianShavedIce.com. We have a great selection of gifts for children, individuals, and families.

The great thing about giving the gift of a snow cone or shaved ice package is that it is a gift that can be enjoyed all throughout the year!

Check out all of the selections today while they are on sale!

Video Ad for StickyLife.com

We have discussed StickyLife.com a couple of different times here in the blog and have recommended using their products for advertising and promotional items. We like their products, their website is easy to use and their pricing is very small business friendly.

I added the video just to showcase some of the various products that StickyLife.com offers. So, enjoy:

"Let's Be Careful Out There"

Does anyone remember where that phrase was made popular?

We're quickly approaching one of the busiest travel seasons of the entire year. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day people all across the US pack up their bags and travel. They travel by plane, train, bus, ship, and automobile in order to spend time with friends and family during these special holiday times.

This isn't a normal part of the blog here, but this season, I feel like posting links to some good articles that offer tips for traveling during the holidays may be helpful to you.

So, without further delay, here are some suggested articles pertaining to traveling during the upcoming holidays.

1. My Turkey IS my Carry-On. A humorous, but informative article about what may and may not be allowed through the security checkpoint at the airport when you're flying.
2. 10 Tips for Holiday Travel
3. 5 Tips for Traveling by Car During Thanksgiving
4. Thanksgiving Travel Tips
5. A Collection of Articles about Traveling with Kids can be found here. There are several good tips here.
6. Top 10 Stress Free Holiday Travel Tips

I hope that from one of these articles, you'll be able to use a couple of tips to make your travel during the upcoming holiday season much more enjoyable and rewarding.

By the way, the phrase "Let's Be Careful Out There" was made popular by the classic televisions drama "Hill Street Blues."

So, let's be careful out there and let's have an enjoyable holiday season!

5 Great Stocking Stuffers

Wow…only 42 days until Christmas! Have you started your shopping yet? Don’t wait until the last minute! Get a jump on your shopping list and get creative at the same time. Here are five great, creative stocking stuffers that are sure to please:

1. Put a quart of their favorite snow cone or shaved ice syrup flavor in their stocking. When warmer weather rolls around, they’ll enjoy it and think of you! Order your syrups from HawaiianShavedIce.com while they are on sale now and save at least one dollar per bottle!
2. Do your friends or family members enjoy smoothies? If so, select their favorite flavor and order some smoothie mixes for their stocking! HawaiianShavedIce.com features three delicious flavors: Peach Berry, Strawberry Banana, and Tropical Mango.
3. Spend a few moments over at StickyLife.com and create a personalized keychain for one or more of your family members. The dogtag style keychains come in 18 popular colors.
4. Do you have young boys, nephews, cousins, or grandsons in your family? If so, consider designing a set of dog tags for them. Personalize them with their name and whatever else you’d like to put on there for them.
5. If you have several drivers and vehicles in your family, then you should consider creating a decal, sticker, or static cling for each of them. Creating something unique and special only takes a few minutes and isn’t expensive either.

These are just a few examples of the items available at HawaiianShavedIce.com and StickyLife.com that would make excellent stocking stuffers for your holiday celebrations. Again, there are only 42 days until Christmas…so don’t wait too long!

Five Reasons to Purchase Equipment During the Off-Season

If you are thinking about making the exciting leap into the shaved ice or snow cone business, now is the perfect time to purchase your equipment. Why? Here's a list of reasons:

1. You can use the cold winter months to learn everything there is to know about operating your equipment safely and efficiently. Use the off season to practice! Learn how to shave ice that is consistently fluffy. Refine the technique of creating a great cup of ice.
2. Because it's the off season, you have several months to learn without any pressure. You can practice every day or several times per week.
3. Go ahead and order some syrup flavors too. Just buy the ready to use quart flavors for now. Not only is this a great time to experiment and learn how to operate your new equipment; it's also a fantastic time to learn how to apply the proper amount of flavored syrup.
4. This is a great time to figure out and practice proper cleaning and maintenance techniques. Create your own clean up and maintenance checklist. We have suggestions here.
5. EVERYTHING is on SALE! This is the absolute best time of year to purchase your equipment because it's CHEAPER! You can literally save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on purchasing equipment. For example, the Shaved Ice Starter Package at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com is now $3224.89. By purchasing this package now, you are saving over $500!

So, if you are ready to dive into the exciting business of selling snow cones or shaved ice this next season, we highly recommend that you save yourself some big bucks and order your equipment now. If you have any questions about the machines or products offered at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, please feel free to call us or email us at CustomerCare@1-800-Shaved-Ice.com.

Syrup Flavor of the Week: Hurricane

Remember that tasty beverage you encountered during your visit to Bourbon Street in New Orleans? It was called a Hurricane! HawaiianShavedIce.com has recreated that great tasting concoction and transformed it into a shaved ice and snow cone flavor (minus the alcohol of course). Order a bottle of our delicious Hurricane syrup and recall the great time you spent down on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras!

This is a sure to please flavor for adult shaved ice and snow cone fans everywhere. Get it while it's on sale and save a few bucks!

The Customer is Always the Priority

We haven’t featured any of the great responses we’ve had from our wonderful customers in a while. At 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, CottonCandyExpress.com, and HawaiianShavedIce.com one of our main priorities is to provide top notch customer service to every person or business that we deal with on a daily basis. As you know from reading our blog, we think that customer service is an incredibly important factor for the success of any business—whether it’s a concessions business or any other type of business.

Because of our dedication and respect for customer service, we always enjoy getting feedback from our customers. And…occasionally, we enjoy sharing those ‘feel good’ quotes. So, here goes:

"Great Customer Service! Could not be more pleased! They were wonderful and I'll continue to do business with them. A great company! Fabulous! Wish more companies had this type of customer service."
Martha, WA

"My experience with this company has been very positive in every way. I have placed orders via their website and have always received exactly what I ordered and in a very timely manner. I have placed phone orders with several different customer service people and I have always received very friendly, courteous and helpful conversations and the same accuracy and speed of shipment. My experience with this company could not be more satisfactory. Great selection, service, attitude and prices!"
Roger, IA

"At 1-800-Shaved-Ice, you will find high quality merchandise at very reasonable prices. I have always had prompt deliveries, great customer service and even follow up care. I highly recommend them!"
Tanya, FL

We share these quotes to highlight the fact that being passionate about providing quality customer service pays off…time and time again. We hope that these quotes will inspire you to develop a policy for your own business that is dedicated to providing your own customers with great products and excellent service too.

Cotton Candy Starter Package

At CottonCandyExpress.com, we are excited about the Cotton Candy Starter Package that we have created for individuals and organizations interested in trying out the cotton candy market.

Our starter package comes with everything you need to get up and running:

*Floss Boss Cotton Candy Machine
*1000 Floss Cones
*1 case of Flossugar, your choice of flavor
*Flosskoop
*Whirl Grip Floss Stabilizer

The Floss Boss Cotton Candy Machine is an ideal beginner floss machine. The Floss Boss is the most dependable cotton candy maker in the industry. Solid-state heat control, high capacity spinner head, and cool running operation make it easy to use. It will easily create 60-80 servings of cotton candy per hour.

Each case of Flossugar contains six 3.25 lb. cartons, enough for approximately 360 ounces of cotton candy. Flossugar flavors include:

*Blue Raspberry
*Pink Bubble Gum
*Red Cherry
*Purple Grape
*Lime Green
*Orange
*Pink Vanilla
*Strawberry
*Watermelon

Order now while it is on sale and save even more on your start up costs.

Little Snowie Budget Package

If you're looking for a great little "workhorse" package for your youth group, church group, service organization, or just to have for parties and other functions then you should definitely check out the Little Snowie Package from 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com.

The Little Snowie is great for these kind of groups and functions. It's also a great little package to use and "test the waters" if you are thinking about getting into the shaved ice business.

The Little Snowie Budget Package comes with everything you need (except ice, haha). We have one of these packages that we use for church related functions and it always performs well. It's fast enough and creates fluffy shaved ice that everyone (kids and adults) enjoy. In fact, it's "scheduled" to be used in February for our Valentine's Day Banquet which has a Hawaiian Luau theme this year. People in our church thoroughly enjoy the treats made with the Little Snowie...whether it's hot or cold outside!

Check out the contents of the entire package by visiting 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com. Order it now during our End of Season sale and save over $100!

Roadside Shaved Ice Package for Kids

This is by far one of my favorite packages offered at HawaiianShavedIce.com. I think it's great!

The Roadside Shaved Ice Package is a wonderful gift for kids or grandkids. It comes with everything they need to be up and running their own shaved ice stand in your front yard.

*Quality, eye catching Shaved Ice Stand designed specifically for children
*Our kid-safe S-500 Snow Cone Machine (Electrical, 120 Volt)
*5 quart bottles of Hawaiian Shaved Ice Premium Syrup (your choice of flavors)
*25 Spoon Straws
*5 Bottle Pourers
*25 Sno Cone Cups
*1 Hawaiian Flower Lei (artificial)

Not only can they simply have fun making their own delicious treats, but you can also help them learn about business too if you choose to let them try and sell shaved ice in your neighborhood. You can teach them great concepts such as: serving quality products, charging a fair price, courteous service, money management, setting goals, and many other great concepts that will benefit them for years to come.

This is a fun package for your kids or grandkids. Order today during our fall sale and save $20!

The Big, BIG Syrup Sale at HawaiianShavedIce.com is Happening NOW

Starting today through Friday October 30th, every quart of Ready to Use Flavored Syrup is $5 per bottle. That's right, $5 per bottle and this is for every flavor we carry at HawaiianShavedIce.com! With over 80 flavors, we think this is a great time to stock up on your family's favorite flavors.

Holiday Hint: Mom and Dad...order your kids' favorites, hide them until Christmas, and use them as stocking stuffers. Just an idea! Then, your kids will be ready for warmer weather and they'll have their favorite flavor all ready to go when you break out the shaved ice or snow cone machine again for the season.

Order all of your favorite flavors this week and save a bundle!

Get Shaved and Their Unique Use of Twitter

Get Shaved is a mobile Hawaiian Shaved Ice company based in Southern California and primarily services the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area. In addition to their mobile shaved ice truck, they also do private catered parties and they have a cart at Universal Studios CityWalk that features a limited version of their menu.

What's important to note though is their creative use of Twitter. Every day, several times a day, they update their followers on Twitter (over 2,200 of them) along with the rest of the 'Twitterverse' with the location of their shaved ice truck. For example, here is one of their previous tweets:

"10/25: 11a-2p @ Eagle Rock Farmers' Market - 2700 Colorado Blvd (Eagle Rock Plaza)"

They have created quite a following for themselves in this manner. It's a unique method of doing business and it seems to be catching on. For example, if you do a search on Twitter for GetShaved, you'll notice people (potential customers) asking them where they'll be next, commenting on their favorite menu item or flavor, recommending people go and try a shaved ice, etc.

Anyhow, I'd recommend that you read this article that I found and then visit the Get Shaved website. If you're on Twitter, I'd recommend that you follow them and see what they are up to and LEARN. :)

Lynchburg, VA Shaved Ice Stand in the News

Recently, The Frigid Frog made the news in Lynchburg, VA. This usually seasonal business has decided to stay open year round in its current location. During the cooler months they will be serving coffee and hot chocolate in addition to the 100 flavors of shaved ice and other goodies that they sell.

Read the entire article and file it away. As a shaved ice or snow cone business owner, it's always important to read about other owners, their thoughts and ideas. As we've said before, we call these "magic lanterns" because they offer a bit of insight and spur all of us on with ideas for our own businesses.

We hope that The Frigid Frog will continue to have a successful year! If you're in the Lynchburg area...stop in for a cup of coffee or even shaved ice (it's still delicious in the winter time too).

Our Award Winning Flavors

Did you know that our products have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, TV Guide, CNN and the Oxygen Network? Our proudest achievement was the distinguished award of “Best Overall” by the Wall Street Journal in July of 2002. The Journal stated that “(our products) seem to rise above the rest”. This award paid tribute to our excellent shaved ice and snow cone products, superior customer service and unmatched syrup flavors.

Since that time, we have continued our dedication to providing our customers with the best tasting flavors possible. Over the years, our flavors have developed quite a following. People can taste the difference and appreciate the quality that goes into the creation of our flavors.

"The flavors I have tried so far have been outstanding, can't wait to taste the others. Customer service was great and pleasant to deal with. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone searching for an excellent product."
Sylvia – MN

"I've had very good experience from this company. Their follow up on orders is excellent. My customers love their flavors. I'll continue to order my supplies from them since they have the best prices."
Mari, CA

Click here to view the entire flavor list for 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and HawaiianShavedIce.com. This list will give you information about the color of the syrup and a brief taste description. Whether you’re using our flavors at home or in your own shaved ice or snow cone stand, rest assured that you are getting the best product available!

Shop with Confidence at HawaiianShavedIce.com

Your security and privacy while visiting our website and purchasing products on our site is extremely important to us and we want to let you know how we safeguard your experience at HawaiianShavedIce.com.

Below is a screen shot that highlights the two major ways that we work daily to ensure your experience on our website is a positive one. By coupling state of the art methods to ward off hackers, viruses and other online threats and superior customer service, we are confident that the time you spend on our website will be productive and enjoyable.



Just for good measure, here are a couple comments from customers about our site too. We always enjoy hearing from our customers!

"Very easy website to navigate. Awesome selection of various packages. Good explanation of the differences in types/styles of shavers. Fast delivery and everything was as ordered. I will definitely shop again as we need refills and replacement supplies."
Steve, OH

"The website is very easy to surf. I had no trouble locating exactly what I needed. They also made sure that the order set up included an item important to my order that I would never have though of on my own-pourers for the syrup bottles. Check out was fast and easy, leaving no room for doubt on all charges that would be applied to my order. Shipping was fast, within the time frame specified, and the order was well packaged."
Bindia, FL

Halloween Sale is Happening Now at HawaiianShavedIce.com

With Halloween upon us in just a couple of weeks, HawaiianShavedIce.com has put everything on sale!

Here are three great reasons why a sale at HawaiianShavedIce.com is awesome:

1. If you're a shaved ice or snow cone connoisseur, this is an excellent time to stock up on your favorite flavors and supplies. Right now, you can save almost $2 per bottle of our award winning ready to use syrup flavors. Stock up now and be ready for next spring and summer!
2. Christmas is coming...gifts need to be purchased. And yes, we have some excellent snow cone and shaved ice packages to fit every budget. Order now and save even more! Stretch your shopping dollars even further!
3. Order now and get your items before your Halloween Party. Sure, it's fall and the leaves are falling, but that doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying shaved ice and snow cones!

Blue Hawaiian is the Syrup Flavor of the Week

Of course you already know that you can enjoy shaved ice or snow cone treats year round at home. Now, HawaiianShavedIce.com is making it more affordable to create delicious after school (or after work) treats by offering our Flavor of the Week Special. This week, it's Blue Hawaiian. This is a tasty blend of the classic Hawaiian Punch flavor along with Coconut. Order it while it's the flavor of the week and save $3 per bottle!

Enjoy!

Follow StickyLife.com on Facebook

Recently, we told you about the many great ways to use StickyLife.com for your concessions business. We know that being in business is expensive and that profit margins are often pretty tight. So, since we mentioned StickyLife.com and recommended it as a great resource for branding products and promotional items, we thought we'd recommend a way to save a few bucks when you order from them too.

Occasionally, StickyLife.com will offer a discount code on their Facebook fan page. For example, there is currently a 25% discount for first time orders. So, go become a fan of their Facebook page, get the discount code and order the products you need to promote your business and save some money at the same time!

86 Days and Counting...

TIL CHRISTMAS!!! Ahhh...yes, it's true folks. There are only 86 days until Christmas 2009 has arrived. So, have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Me either!

Well, why not get a jump on the purchasing frenzy now. One of the easiest ways to do your shopping is to order your gifts online and have them shipped directly to you. No driving around, no need to stand in long checkout lines - shop from the convenience of your home and get the items you want the easy and affordable way!

HawaiianShavedIce.com has created a great Gift Center that showcases some great snow cone and shaved ice packages. The Gift Center is arranged into four, easy to use categories:

1. Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Gifts for the Whole Family
2. Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Gifts for Individuals
3. Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Gifts Listed by Price
4. Shaved Ice & Snow Cone Gift Certificates (so your friends or family members can return to HawaiianShavedIce.com and select their own gift).

Check it out and get a jump on your holiday shopping now. The big day will be here in a flash!

Water Quality – Suggestions and Solutions for Poor Quality Water

Water quality varies greatly throughout the entire United States. The vast majority of our customers who operate their own shaved ice or snow cone businesses are able to use their water straight from the tap when making their shaved ice syrups and block or cube ice. However, if the water quality and the taste of the water in your area of the country is not the best, you may need to have the water filtered or buy bottled water for your syrups and ice making.

If the water in your area has an unsuitable taste, we suggest making a small batch of shaved ice or snow cone syrup with your current water supply to see if the large amount of sweetness from the sugar in the syrup overpowers and masks any bad taste originating from your water. If your syrup still has a “funky” taste, try using an over the counter water filtration system. However, if your water is really bad, then we strong advise you to contact a water quality specialist in your area to find out how you can get the best quality water at a reasonable price. Yes, it’s an added expense for your business. But, in the long run customers will appreciate your dedication to serving them a high quality, great tasting product.

HawaiianShavedIce.com Now has a Facebook Fan Page!

That's right, HawaiianShavedIce.com has made the 'leap' into the world of social media. We have created a Facebook Fan Page. If you are already a Facebook user, please visit our fan page. Please add us as friend. We just started the page and are thrilled to see that we have 115 friends already. Wow! If you are not using Facebook just yet...well, what are you waiting for? It's free, so sign up today and give it a whirl.

We have discussed the importance of using social media for your business and now we're putting it to the test ourselves. We hope to be able to give you honest, first hand experience and recommendations based on our own usage of this powerful, free marketing tool.

We look forward to putting together some creative uses for our Fan Page. Do you have any suggestions for ways that you'd like to see us use it? If so, please feel free to leave us a comment here on the blog. We appreciate and invite your input!

Cream Flavors

Give your customers the option of choosing a cream flavor when they order their next shaved ice at your stand.

In a separate container, combine 7 ounces of flavored syrup to 1 ounce of evaporated milk. Stir well and pour the mix on top of your customer's shaved ice to give it a rich, creamy texture. It always works best if the creamy mix is chilled before use.

This recipe is most often used with Vanilla, Banana, Peach, Strawberry, Dreamsycle, Pina Colada, Coconut, Strawberry Cheesecake, Almond, and Egg Custard. But, we recommend that you test other flavors as well - you might come up with a very popular flavor for your stand.

To make a quart of cream flavor, combine 28 ounces of our award winning ready-to-use flavored syrup with 4 ounces of Evaporated Milk. Once evaporated milk is added be sure to keep the mix refrigerated. The mixture will usually will last 5 to 7 days.

This is a great way to add some variety to your menu. If you wish, you can probably charge an extra $.25 per serving for the additional cream that is added. This will boost your average sale price and ultimately increase your profits too.

Good Resource: 10 Tips for the First-Time Business Owner

While reading through some other business related posts this weekend, I came across a good resource for people who are thinking of starting their own business. The article was written for Entrepreneur magazine and is entitled "10 Tips for the First-Time Business Owner."

There are some very good points made throughout the entire article and it's definitely worth reading and considering the information given in it.

My particular favorites are points #1 and #2. In point number one the author makes the following statement, which I really appreciate: "Do one thing perfectly, not 10 things poorly." Focus on what you do really well and use it to your advantage!

In point number two, I appreciate the author's frankness about the impetus behind starting a small business: "Do what you love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success." I think there is a ton of truth behind that mindset. If you're passionate about your business (whether it selling snow cones or building high-tech complex machinery), you stand a much greater chance of success if your heart is in it.

So, if you're passionate about snow cones or shaved ice...then be dedicated to your business and refine your processes and business plan constantly in order to give your customers the best product possible. In doing this, you will ultimately succeed!

Newton Grove Movie Night Oct. 17th, 2009

All of us here at HawaiianShavedIce.com are excited and pleased to be involved in another Newton Grove Movie Night. We love the opportunity to work with, serve, and enjoy spending time with our friend and neighbors. So, if you live in the Newton Grove, NC area, you are invited to join us for:

What: Outdoor Movie Night, featuring E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, a Universal Pictures Film starring Drew Barrymore rated PG.

When: Saturday, October 17th 2009 at 7:00 PM Gates will open at 6:30 PM. The movie will start around 7:00 PM

Where: Weeks Park in Newton Grove on Hwy 701 S, on the baseball field

Admission: FREE to all

Concessions: FREE Popcorn, snow cones and drinks to all those under 18 years of age. Adults will be able to purchase concessions.

What to Bring: Blankets, Chairs and Bug Spray

Additional Information: Please call 910-594-0827

Please visit www.NGMovieNight.com or visit the Facebook page.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Entrepreneur: a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. (courtesy of Dictionary.com)

Keywords to consider from this definition: considerable initiative and risk.

As many of you already know, starting your own business is a serious commitment. It involves a great deal of risk on your part. But most business owners who stick with it and build up a successful business will tell you that the risk is definitely worth the reward.

In the blog here, we feature articles that we find about shaved ice, snow cones, and cotton candy from all over the globe when we can find appropriate information. We do this because at 1-800-ShavedIce.com, HawaiianShavedIce.com, and CottonCandyExpress.com, we admire the entrepreneurial spirit and we understand it...from the risk side and the reward side.

So, we offer this recently found article about a gentleman in Florida delving into the snow cone business. He's garnered some positive attention for his business locally and that's great. We hope that he'll continue to work hard and invest in his company! Check out the article about Mr. Trujillo.

Thanks!

Cotton Candy Toothpicks?

I don't normally feature things like this, but I'm making an exception due to the 'uniqueness' of the product and the fact that we don't offer anything like it at CottonCandyExpress.com.

So, the title says it all...cotton candy toothpicks. Now, you can take that carnival atmosphere with you where ever you may roam. Hey, some people love cotton candy. I do. My kids do. My wife does. So...why not try some cotton candy toothpicks? If you have to pick something out of your teeth, it might as well be an enjoyable experience, right?

Check them out and feel free to order some! If you do purchase them...let me know if you like them!

StickyLife.com, A Great Branding Resource for Concessionaires and Other Small Businesses

After discussing branding in our last post, I thought it would be prudent to make a recommendation and put some creative branding ideas out there for you to ponder.

As mentioned, branding makes a huge impact on gaining and retaining customers. We have touched on logo design several different times throughout the blog and by now I'm sure you realize just how important a great, eye-catching logo is in establishing a great brand for your business.

Now that you have your logo...use it. Promote yourself. Promote yourself in creative ways. Don't be afraid to use your logo...after all you created it to be the visual identifier of your business.

One creative place to easily and economically use your logo to create branding and promotional products is at www.StickyLife.com. StickyLife.com is in the product customization business and is an ideal place for you to experiment on various ways to promote your business through the use of creative marketing materials.

StickyLife.com offers several great products that appear to be perfect tools for promoting your shaved ice, snow cone, or cotton candy business. For example, kids love temporary tattoos. At StickyLife.com, you have the ability to create your own customized temporary tattoo! Imagine being able to hand out a temporary tattoo to every kid that comes up to your concession stand. How cool is that? The kids will definitely think it's cool! Parents and grandparents will appreciate your willingness to please their kids and grandkids too.

I will be featuring a few more unique ways to use StickyLife.com for your business in coming posts. Most importantly for now, I encourage you to visit StickyLife.com and check out all of the cool ways you can use their site to create products that will promote your business!

Branding

What sets you apart from your competition? We have discussed several things that definitely assist you in differentiating yourself from your local competition such as:

* Superior Customer Service
* Competitive Pricing
* Offering Superior Products Made from the Best Equipment and Served in High Quality Materials

These things all make a huge impact on gaining and retaining customers.

One thing we haven’t discussed much at all is branding and the important role it has in creating your identity as a business. Branding is a “package deal” because it involves several different things. Here are a few things to get you thinking about how to shape your branding or polish/revise what is perhaps a dated or weak branding strategy.

1. Logo Design. Your logo is the visual icon for your brand. Creating a unique, visually appealing logo is an important and critical step in establishing your company’s identity.
2. Purpose Statement. What do you stand for? Say something. Let people know what you’re passionate about. Think about Ben & Jerry’s…they are more than just ice cream; they are a company that stands for a cause.
3. Make purchasing your product an experience, not just a transaction. Give them something positive to remember.
4. Give Back. You rely on the community around you for your customers. Make sure that you in turn are active in the community with your business. Get behind a local cause and support it…either financially or with your time.
5. Be dedicated to always being the best and only offering the best of everything to your customers.

This certainly isn’t comprehensive by any means, it’s just meant to get you thinking about the process of developing your company’s brand.

More to come…

Cotton Candy at Home

Do you have a residential cotton candy maker? If so, we have a great product for you!

CottonCandyExpress.com is pleased to offer our customers the best floss sugar available. Flossugar is made from a special sugar that is not too fine, not too coarse.

It's packed in a sealed 3.25 pound carton. Simply open the box and pour it into the spinner head of your machine. There's no messy mixing or unsanitary sugar buckets to frustrate you. Each carton yields 60 to 70 servings of delicious cotton candy.

Flossugar currently comes in three different flavors: Lime Green, Orange, and Watermelon. Order today and have it on hand for your kids. Cotton candy at home makes a great after school treat! Order now and save during our End of Summer sale.

Specialized Syrup Bottle Cleaning Brushes on Sale!

I'm sure you are well aware of this already, but those syrup bottles are hard to clean! Whether you use quart bottles or gallon jugs for your flavored syrups, you have experienced the difficulty of trying to get into the nooks and crannies and get them clean and ready to be refilled.

Well, we've got some good news for you! At 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com, we have found the best cleaning brushes available to make this formerly difficult job a much more pleasant and productive experience!

Finally, a way to get those long neck, quart bottles clean. The quart bottle brush is 16 inches long and has a tapered 4 inch brush head with wrap-around bristles on the tip, capable of reaching all of the hard to clean spots.

The cleaning brush for the gallon jugs is also 16 inches in length, but features a brush head that is 10 inches long. This is a sure fire tool to get those jugs cleaned and ready to use again.

Both of these great brushes are on sale right now, so get 'em cheap during our End of Summer sale!

Online Bookkeeping Options: LessAccounting.com

As I mentioned in my previous post, I will continue looking for other good, reliable bookkeeping solutions that look as if they would be good options for any small business owner.

I found one so far that looks like a great option. It is called LessAccounting. Here's the scoop on them in their own words:

"Who is Less Accounting designed for?

We designed the accounting app to meet our needs as small business owners. We tried to develop it flexible enough for personal use, but if you are a big business Less Accounting probably isn't for you."

It appears to be a simple, straightforward interface that is designed to help you keep your finances organized while not consuming all of your time in order to do so. There are several features that I like which include PayPal integration, the ability to import addresses, bank accounts, and they have an iPhone app too (great for double checking your finances while you're on the go).

While some may be uncomfortable keeping their financial information online, their system uses standard secure encryption and they back up their data on a daily basis. One great feature that LessAccounting has built into their online system is the ability for you to give your CPA access to your account. By doing this, it gives you the ability to allow your CPA to view and download information from your account when he/she may need to for tax reports or other necessary business reports.

Quite honestly, that feature alone would be enough to convince me to give their system a try. It can be quite frustrating to print out reports and give them to your accountant only to find that you didn't print out the right report, right date range, or made some other error. By giving your accountant access to all of the data, you eliminate the possibility of making mistakes on your own end!

One other quick item to note. If you have started out with a more complicated system, such as Quickbooks, but have found it to be overwhelming LessAccounting has a method for you to be able to import your Quickbooks information into their system. So, you don't have to start over and rebuild your entire financial portfolio.

I would encourage you to visit their website, take the video tours that they have (I think there are 3) and check out the pricing structure. There is one version that is completely free, and then 3 different month to month plans based on the features you want to use for your business.

I hope this is helpful information for you. I will look into some other accounting systems as I find them. If you know of one that I should review, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know...I'll get to it! Thanks!

Bookkeeping

For some folks…this is a terrible topic to bring up. Keeping accurate records is an absolutely necessity. Yes, it takes time…but, in the long run it is well worth the effort. Accurate, up to date books give you the ability to truly know if the products and services you are offering are profitable or not. It will also save you a myriad of headaches at the end of the year when your taxes are due. In the event of an audit…you will be ready.

Daily record keeping is a necessity in order to keep track of your sales and expenses. It will be necessary to keep up with daily sales, sales tax owed, expenses, payroll and payroll taxes.

If you prefer to keep track of your income and expenses manually, you can buy an accounting ledger book at your local office supply store for around $15.00. If you prefer to use an electronic method, there are several great bookkeeping programs out there. QuickBooks is a great, easy to use software program to help with record keeping. Another option is to use a secure online system (there is a version of Quickbooks set up this way). I will be researching a few of the online systems and reporting my finding to you shortly.

Another wise course of action is to talk with your accountant about the best ways to keep your records organized. Your accountant can also give advice on how to best setup your payroll system. He or she should be able to advise you on what deductions you will need to withhold from employee’s paychecks.

Do you already use a particular bookkeeping system? If so, please let us know what you use and how well it works for you. If you have questions about a particular system, please ask them and I will try to get some answers for you. Keeping accurate books is essential to the success of your business. At 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com and CottonCandyExpress.com, we’re interested in helping you succeed! Thanks!

Great Entry Level Cotton Candy Machine

Since school is getting ready to start and concession stands for school sports teams are getting organized, we thought it would be a great idea to introduce an excellent cotton candy machine for school and sports team concession stands.

The Econo Floss Cotton Candy Machine is a heavy-duty cotton candy maker which has an extra heavy-duty motor, plus solid state cool-running heat control. It contains four carbon brushes which helps to reduce wear and tear on the brass slip rings. This highly efficient candy floss producer will run on minimum available electricity.

This machine will produce up to four servings per minute which makes it more than capable of withstanding occasional use in a sports concession stand. Because it is made of heavy duty plastic, it will also withstand the rigors of being used by multiple people. The plastic surfaces will also make it easy to keep clean.

Learn more about this machine and all of the great supplies offered at CottonCandyExpress.com today. If you have questions about any machine or product, please feel free to leave a comment here, email us at CustomerCare@CottonCandyExpress.com, or call us at 1-800-871-1491. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your concession needs and assist in any way possible.

Ice Temperature Procedures for Cube Ice Machines

For those of you who prefer using cube ice machines for your shaved ice or snow cone business…you’re not off the hook on maintaining the proper temperature for your ice! However, the rules for you are very different from those listed in the last post.

For shaved ice and snow cone machines that use cube ice, tempering is not necessary. We suggest just the opposite—drop the temperature of your ice storage freezer to around 5 to 10 degrees. You can do this by placing the cube ice in an ordinary chest freezer overnight. We have found that the harder the cube ice, the fluffier the snow produced by the ice shaver. This also works with snow cone machines as well.

If the cube ice gets too warm or watery, or as we call it “wet”, the ice shaver will produce very clumpy or crunchy snow. For example, the outdoor ice merchandiser that you see outside of your local convenience store often keep the bags of cube ice around 15 to 20 degrees, just cold enough to keep it from melting. If you take that ice directly from the store merchandiser and shave it you will get a fairly good cup of shaved ice. Instead of taking it directly from the ice merchandiser, drop it in a freezer overnight to allow the cube ice to get colder and harden a bit. Now when you shave the harder, colder ice, the ice will be fluffier than it was if taken directly from the merchandiser. One word of caution, if you get the ice too cold, the ice will be so fluffy that it will melt once syrup is added to it. If you find this is happening, simply increase the temperature in your chest freezer.

Block Ice Temperature -- Understanding the Importance

For quite some time we have discussed the various features of shaved ice and snow cone machines that use block ice. We have also discussed the economical benefits of using your own block ice maker or block ice molds if you have a busy location or multiple locations. If you use or are considering the use of block ice, it’s important to understand how to properly use ice blocks in your machine so that you create optimal products for your customers. The following information is from our “Cold Cash” business manual and discusses the importance of block ice temperature. Please feel free to contact us today for your FREE copyof our 105 page business manual that is full of great, helpful information!

For block shaved ice shavers, the temperature of your block ice can make or break your shaved ice business. Block ice that is too cold when shaved will not stick together. Ice that is too warm will create a clumpy mess. Either way, you will not get ideal results if your ice is not at the proper temperature when you get ready to use it.

To solve this problem you can “temper” or “warm up” your ice blocks in order to get the correct ice consistency. Tempering allows the ice to reach the ideal shaving temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. To temper your ice, simply remove an ice block from the freezer about 25 to 30 minutes before you need it for shaving. You can place your block ice in 5 gallon buckets or restaurant bus trays during the tempering process. Once the ice block begins to melt on the outside surfaces, simply place the block into chest type ice coolers (48 or 60 quart coolers works best) in order to maintain the temperature. This sweating or melting of the ice blocks will be your signal that that ice has reached the tempered stage. If for some reason your block ice gets too warm either during the tempering process or while in the coolers, the ice will become clumpy and will not hold flavor well. If this were to happen, simply place the ice back into the freezer and let it refreeze.

One tip that will help with tempering is to adjust the temperature of your block ice storage freezer so that it stays within a range of 18 to 20 degrees. Simply place a freezer thermometer inside your freezer to assist you in maintaining the proper temperature setting. Allow 24 hours to pass for each temperature adjustment before taking your readings.

Tempering ice will take some practice to get used to in the beginning. Depending on how busy your stand is, you will need to adjust how many ice blocks are tempered at any given time. You will also need to get a feel for how often you need to replenish your tempered blocks. Remember, if you temper too many blocks at once you can always refreeze them.

27 Years in the Snow Cone Business...Wow!

"The Snow Cone Lady" as she is affectionately called has been cranking out delicious snow cones for 27 years in Frisco, TX. I recommend that you read the entire article at neighborsgo.com. As usual, there are some great nuggets of information to hold onto and apply in your own business.

One thing that we discuss frequently in our posts here is the need for consistency in everything you do with your business. After 27 years of being in the snow cone business, one thing I can guarantee is that her product is consistent and people like it. Evidence of that fact can be found in the following quote:

"Mathis said she’s seen more customers this opening season than any time in the past. While she always expects a few more people due to increased population and word of mouth — she never advertises — the increase this year was significant.

“I think that the economy probably has something to do with part of that increase because I try to keep my prices reasonable,” she said."

Again, I encourage you to read the entire article. Will you be able to sustain your snow cone or shaved ice business for 27 years? We hope so! By constantly evaluating your business practices, maintaining consistent customer service and offering your customers a quality product at an affordable price, you should be able to look forward to many, many years of success!

Young Entrepreneur in Las Vegas Chooses Shaved Ice Business

I came across this article today about a young man and his shaved ice business in Las Vegas, NV. I thought it was definitely worth sharing with our readers. It's always encouraging to read about young people who have solid goals in place and a strong work ethic to help them attain those goals! It looks like Jeff Brunner is hard at work to achieve his long term goals. I hope you don't quit pursuing your goal Jeff (I'm a pilot and flying airplanes is such a blast!).

As I've mentioned in the past, it's always good to read about other people's experiences in our industry. I think there are several good, key points to remember from this article. One major thing to take away from this article is that it is incredibly important to find out what laws and regulations are in place that will affect your business and your potential location. Do your homework!

I hope you enjoy the article!

Football Season...It's Time for Tailgating

Whether you enjoy the NFL, college football, or you're a serious fan of your local high school team, we know you're excited and pumped up about the beginning of the football season!

While some folks certainly are excited about the games...other people get even more excited about what happens before the game: tailgating! Tailgating has grown increasingly in its popularity over the years and with that, so has the food that's associated with tailgating. It's no longer just hot dogs, burgers, and beer. Many tailgate parties involve all sorts of culinary masterpieces! There are some incredibly creative tailgaters!



If you're one of those folks who enjoys tailgating, then we have a great addition to your tailgating arsenal! We have multiple styles to choose from: 12volt machines that will operate off of a deep cycle marine or rv battery or we even have a gas powered snow cone machine.

We offer six different 12volt shaved ice machines and 3 different 12volt snow cone machines. All of these machines are commercially designed, high volume machines that will easily take care of any tailgating needs for your group. The possibilities are limitless...not only can you serve the kids in your group a tasty, refreshing dessert before the game, but 'adult concoctions' can be created for you to enjoy too!

If you're looking for a machine that will turn heads and attract attention at your tailgate party, then you should consider the gas powered snow cone machine offered at 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com. When you fire this machine up...you will draw a crowd!



Order your machine today along with all of the necessary supplies to create great tasting treats for the tailgating season. Order now and save during our summer sale.

Syrup Flavor of the Week: Lemon!

Summer isn't over just yet! Save now by ordering our Ready to Use Syrup Flavor of the Week at HawaiianShavedIce.com! Our award winning Lemon flavor is designed to taste just like the old fashion lemon drops. Tart, sweet, and tangy...this is a great flavor to be enjoyed on a warm summer day! It's perfect for those after school treats.




Order today and save $3.00!

How to Perform the Proper Pour w/ Flavored Syrups

Once you have perfected the perfect dome (read the article) on your shaved ice or snow cone serving, you now are ready to pour the syrup (see diagram). Take any long neck quart bottle, with pouring spout, filled with your favorite shaved ice syrup and begin to pour the syrup on the ice. Start pouring the syrup at the outside edge of the cup (2) and work around the dome in a circular motion going from the outside edge to the center of the dome. (3) The goal is to let the syrup meet at the top. (4) Pour an extra shot of syrup down the middle of the cup to make certain that the syrup goes toward the bottom.



Using this method will ensure even coverage of the syrup throughout our customer’s snow cone or shaved ice treat. Bite after bite, your customers will be treated to a delicious, refreshing snack!

Be sure that everyone who works at your stand follows the same procedures. Consistency in service is important. You need to make sure that your customers receive the same delicious treat each and every time they visit your stand. This is important in building up a loyal customer base!

Interested in using the BEST flavored syrups around? Check out the award winning flavors offered from 1-800-Shaved-Ice.com!

Back to School! Time to get the Sports Concession Stands Ready to Go!

With schools across the nation preparing for the 09/10 school year to start, many booster clubs, PTA groups and other school organizations are getting geared up for sporting events and other fundraising events.

For those groups who are already well established with equipment, we encourage you to check out the following products:

Cotton Candy Floss Concentrate – available in 8 great tasting flavors
Our Plain Cotton Candy Bags – available by the case
Our Plain Cotton Candy Cones – available by the case

For those groups who operate stands that have snow cone machines or shaved ice machines, please visit our website at 1-800-Shaved-ice.com to learn about all of the great products we feature at very competitive prices. If you’re looking to feature the best tasting snow cones and shaved ice, we encourage you to check out our award winning syrups! They will definitely please your customers and keep them coming back for more!