Four Black teen sisters from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, are making waves in the business world with their food truck venture, Twice as Nice Shaved Ice.
Charlee (15), Leeyah (15), Micah (14), and Jordyn (11) Hamilton own and operate the mobile business, offering delicious snowballs and their famous snow-capped lemonade.
Launched in 2018 with inspiration and initial investment from their parents, Charvonne and Lee Hamilton, the sisters started with one snowball machine purchased from a pawn shop, a table, a tent, and 10 flavors.
Since then, their business has grown into a thriving operation housed in a mobile trailer that brings cool treats to customers across the region.
A Family-Driven Vision
“Our mom inspired us to start thinking about owning a business,” shared Charlee in an interview with The Baltimore Times. “After going through several ideas, she suggested a snowball business because it had low startup costs and could get up and running quickly.”
The Hamilton sisters manage everything from preparing their icy treats to customer service, while their parents assist with event coordination, transportation, and finances.
Profits are divided equally, with portions set aside for college, personal goals, and investments.
Challenges and Triumphs
The sisters balance their entrepreneurial ambitions with school and family time, often sacrificing free time for busy event schedules.
Despite the challenges, they’ve found success as vendors at notable events, including the Annapolis Juneteenth Festival, the Kunta Kinte Festival, and even serving as featured vendors for the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp for three consecutive years.
“We strive to keep our prices affordable, which means learning patience when dealing with difficult customers. Each of us has career aspirations, but this business is teaching us valuable lessons about responsibility and teamwork.”
Micah added:
“Running our business doesn’t always feel like work because we enjoy it. It’s rewarding to meet amazing people and see our hard work pay off.”
The Hamilton sisters hope to expand their venture with additional trucks and want to mentor other young entrepreneurs.
“Our primary goal is to make customers happy as we grow our business and set ourselves up for future success,” Leeyah said.
Twice as Nice Shaved Ice is more than a business; it’s a symbol of creativity, determination, and the power of family working together.
