- November 29, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Fresh fruits are used for the all-natural popsicles.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Having a popsicle at breakfast time is one of fringe benefits to running his business, according to Joseph Cofer, who will be in the seventh grade next year at Ormond Beach Middle School. But there’s work involved too. He and his family spend many nights making popsicles for his venture, Schmancy Popsicles.
He has traveled to 20 events since starting last October, selling the all-natural treats from a cooler. He’s a regular at the Port Orange Farmers’ Market and has applied for a space at the City Island and Ormond Beach farmers markets. He also delivers, taking orders over the getschmancy.com website.
While at the farmers market, he buys fresh fruits to make his popsicles the following week. The whole family gets involved, even the dog.
“Lola (a Lab) is our vacuum cleaner,” Joseph said.
“Sometimes it gets crazy,” said his mother, said, “I’m trying to get dinner going and the fridge is full of fruit.”
The reason Joseph gets a popsicle in the morning is because that’s when they are ready for tasting after freezing overnight. But they don’t know if new flavors will be a hit until they sell them and get a positive review.
“That’s when all the worries fall away,” Joseph said. “It’s rewarding and exciting.”
The business got started when they were looking for a way for Joseph to earn extra money. The family saw a long line waiting to buy all-natural popsicles at an event in Winter Park.
“We thought, ‘That’s it,” Kellie Cofer said.
It seemed like the perfect product, they said, because Joseph enjoys treats, and his mother wants him to eat healthy.
Popsicles will be at Fourth of July event
After they bought some molds and started making popsicles, Joseph thought they were kind of fancy, and that’s how they got their name.
“It’s not just sugar and water. It’s fruit. It’s fancy schmancy,” he said.
They offer a wide variety of flavors, such as mango mahito, made with mangos and fresh mint, and a key lime pie with lime juice and graham crackers. When necessary for sweetening, they add organic cane sugar.
“Mangos are in season right now,” Kellie Cofer said. “They are so sweet.”
Those attending the July 4th festivities in Ormond Beach will be able to test his products, as he will be selling them in Fortunato Park.
Like many other businesses, Joseph is learning about community involvement. He saw a sign saying, “Freedom isn’t Free,” and decided to donate a portion of the sales of his Firecracker Pop during the Fourth of July event to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Joseph said the business is fun, but sometimes it’s tiring after a day at school. His mother said it takes more time than they anticipated.
“At the very least, we’ve enjoyed spending time together as a family developing, testing and tasting new popsicle flavors,” she said.
Joseph has learned all aspects of the business world, including design, which is his biggest interest. He designed the website and brochures.
“He knew exactly what he wanted for the logo,” his mother said.
‘You’d think it’s a simple thing’
Kellie Cofer is a marketing professional, and has helped with promotion, but she said they haven’t been able to afford any advertising. They depend on word of mouth and social media to get the word out, but it’s worked very well.
The word has spread through Facebook and they once got a call from Tampa asking about the product.
“That’s exciting,” she said. “I love the way it has grown organically.”
Free samples also have helped to spread the word. At the end of lifeguard camp, Joseph provided popsicles at the picnic, and they started to get orders from parents.
They’ve learned the expense of doing business. There are licenses, insurance, fees for the events and other costs. They also found dry ice to be expensive so have ordered an ice cream cart.
“You think it’s just a simple thing to make popsicles but it gets complicated,” Kellie Cofer said. “How can you not support your child when he wants to be an entrepreneur?”
They are looking at the costs of renting a commercial kitchen, and in the future, possibly a store front.
“I never thought in half a year we’d go this far,” Joseph said.
Visit GetSchmancy.com or follow Joseph on Facebook or Instagram at #getSchmancy.
