Selling ice cream bars from a cart at public events across the Sault this summer has led Brielle Brazeau to learn more about running her own business.
She’s also learning more about herself.
Brazeau, a 17-year-old heading into Grade 12 at Korah Collegiate in September, started up The Ice Cream Bar Co. in the spring through successfully applying for funding and mentoring from the City of Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development division's Summer Company program.
Brazeau is one of nine young entrepreneurs approved for Summer Company support for 2023.
“I was really excited because I was going to apply for the program last year and do it differently, as a pedalling ice cream parlour around neighbourhoods and I decided not to, but this year I decided to go for it. When I got approved I thought there’s no turning back,” Brazeau told SooToday.
Though she received funding to buy her ice cream cart as well as mentoring from Summer Company - while also receiving guidance and encouragement from her entrepreneur parents - Brazeau has rolled up her sleeves and done it herself.
“I love it. It’s giving me a new experience because I want to be a business owner. It’s been fun so far. I’ve learned a lot. I’m learning about how to properly market myself, communicate with clients, how to place orders, about time management and organizational skills. Once you get disorganized your business will crash. You have to stay on top of everything,” Brazeau said.
She’s also getting a good look at her own capabilities and growing more confident.
“I’m starting to realize, because I am an organized person and a high achiever, that I’m setting myself up for success. I’m learning that I can do it. With my mindset I am able to make this successful.”
Brazeau’s parents tow her cart to places like Strathclair Fields to sell ice cream bars at sporting events and she has ordered a small enclosed trailer to use, expecting it to arrive in a week or two.
She orders ice cream bars in bulk from suppliers but plans to start producing her own.
“I do bookings so I’ll go out to Strathclair Farm sports events, Laird horse shows, community nights and markets. People will ask me ‘can you come to our wedding for half an hour?’ I get up to three events in a day or five events in a week.”
“Business has been good. I’ve been to quite a few events. I have a few weddings coming up in August, three weddings in September, I have a few parties and then people have been booking into next summer for weddings.”
Brazeau said that upon launching The Ice Cream Bar Co. she had some apprehension that any new business owner would have but now those concerns have vanished.
“Once I started putting it out on Facebook I got tons of messages from people asking about it and wanting to book for parties or weddings. It was a relief to see that people are liking the concept.”
“The Summer Company program ends in August and if I choose to, I can continue my business on my own, so I’m going to keep my business going because I already have bookings for next year. In April or May of next year I’ll be back at it.”
The Ice Cream Bar Co. can be found through social media.
“I’m going to go to Sault College to take their business and accounting program just so that I have a diploma to fall back on in the future and to learn even more about business because that’s what I really want to do, is to be an entrepreneur,” Brazeau said.
She said she also wants to work alongside her mother - Amanda Brazeau, Once Upon A Child franchisee - to learn more about business management.
“I’d like to keep the ice cream business going and see how big I can build it so this will probably be something I’ll have for a while.”
Looking forward, Brazeau said she would like to open a Sault location for Plato’s Closet.
“It’s a second hand store for teenagers. It’s a clothing store and it’s in the Winmark franchise chain so I’d like to open one of those here because I think it would go really well considering we don’t have many shopping options for people my age and in their 20s. I think it’s something that would really fly here.”
“My family are very proud and super happy for me and feel I’m ahead of my time, going forward with my future. My friends support me too.”
Brazeau said she can recommend owning one’s own business to other young people.
“I would 100 per cent encourage other people to do it.”
“It allows you to explore your independence and your own leadership. It gives you freedom as you get to make choices for yourself, how you want to make money and how you want to spend your time. Once you’re your own boss I feel you’re not going to want to go back. It makes you expand your horizons and try new things.”