I boought the Italian Ice Business Plan now the hard part

[Rocky]

Its been very hard to estimate how much it will cost to open our italian Ice Shop and how much we will need to make each month in gross sales to break even. Of course then the fear sets in. Also the name of the shop I want to use my name but there is someone with an Italain Ice Shop in Chicago with my name how do I find out if I can use it as well? On the other hand is it possible to start an italian Ice wholesale business out of your home? To get things started without the huge expense up front? Has anyone done this sort of thing?

[ICP]

Are you located in Illinois? If so, you can search here to see if your name has already been incorporated: http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/

There is also more getting started business info for Illinois here: http://wwwa.business.illinois.gov/registration.cfm

Also in the introductions forum on this website there is a guy name gerardo and he has a wholesale operation, you might want to ask him if it's possible to start from home. Here is the thread: http://www.icecreamprofits.com/forum/showthread.php?t=569

[Rocky]

hi,Im in Texas,is there a similar site? I have been searching and cannot find anything. Does it make sense to get my name going for the business before going forward with other tasks in business prep?

[ICP]

Try this site: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/related.shtml (http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/index.shtml)

If you are for sure going to go ahead with your business and you want to secure your business name, then yes it makes sense to go ahead and get registered with the state. If you aren't for sure and still planning - then don't do it just yet. But you can call around and get an idea of what all you will have to go through and the costs involved.

You might also want to go consult with a tax professional to see what would be best for you and your needs.

[sou'sitalianice]

I'm not sure where I can purchase the cups to put the ice in. I went to restaurant depot and had no luck. Does anyone out there have an idea?

Thanks
Sou

[ICP]

This kind of cups?

http://search.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bin/nsearch?follow-pro=1&vwcatalog=1-800-shaved-ice&catalog=1-800-shaved-ice&query=ice%20cups&gclid=CJay58rq0pgCFQITswodMk4V1A


or

http://www.flavashack.com/items.html

[sou'sitalianice]

The flavashack cups are the one that I had in mind. Thank you

[sou'sitalianice]

Hey Rocky, Iwas thinking about buying the Italian Ice business plan as well, Did you find it to be very helpful?

[Rocky]

Hi,for me the Italian Ice Business plan has been helpful. It gave me more of a dose of reality as far as costs and little things I did not think about. It is a nice format and very thorough. There is still a lot of work in putting in your own info to make it your own but the template is great.

[sou'sitalianice]

Hey Rocky,
I purchased the business plan last night..It's a lot of information. The only thing for me is I'm purchasing Italian Ice push carts! I'm excited! Good Luck to you Rock!

[PapaGreen]

:) Hello all! I'm the new kid on the block. I started forming my business last September by forming an LLC and registering with yhe state of Ohio. I have my cart and supplies from Little Jimmy's (Jersey Ice).
A new amateure baseball team formed this year which I was able to get a contract with to set up my cart at all home games! The crowds are only going to be about 200-300 but I figured it was a good way to get my brand known in the community and to spring from here into other events. I'm excited about the upcoming season. I am prepairing to contact several soccer leagues in the area about setting up at their tournaments. I also am hoping to get a baseball tournament or so. I also have a small event lined up with a local church (300-500 people). I hope to have updates as the season progresses. I'm new at this but have and still am learning alot on sites like this.
Talking to your local health officials is beneficial. They can tell you what you will need as far as meeting local and state codes.
Thanks for reading and puting up with me. Have a wonderful day and a fruitful season.