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A Q&A with Guy Tremblay of Kona Ice
1 – Tell us about Kona Ice. What makes it a unique business?
Kona Ice is more than just a mobile shaved ice truck—it’s an experience. We bring a fun, tropical vibe wherever we go with music, vibrant colors, and refreshing shaved ice. What makes Kona Ice unique is our focus on customization, community, and customer service.
Flavor Your Own Fun – Our patented Flavorwave lets customers create their perfect treat by adding as much (or as little) flavor as they want. Prefer us to make it for you? No problem—we’re happy to do that!
Giving Back with Kona Ice FUNdraising – We’re not just about serving smiles; we’re dedicated to making a difference. Through our FUNdraising program, we donate a portion of sales to schools, sports teams, and local organizations, helping communities thrive.
A Mobile Party on Wheels – Unlike traditional food trucks, we don’t just park and serve. Whether it’s a school event, corporate gathering, or neighborhood block party, we create an atmosphere that turns any event into a celebration.
A Lighter, Feel-Good Treat – We offer options for different dietary needs, including our low-sugar Vita-Blend based flavors, along with dye-free and sugar-free choices, so everyone can enjoy Kona Ice guilt-free. Our shaved ice is also allergy-friendly, free from common allergens like dairy, nuts, and gluten.
At its heart, Kona Ice is about fun, flavor, and community. We don’t just serve shaved ice—we create memorable experiences that bring people together.
2 – How did you get started? What motivated you to build this business, and what challenges did you overcome along the way?
My wife and I started Kona Ice because we saw how much joy a refreshing treat can bring to events. As parents, we wanted to create a family-oriented business that gives back to the community. The concept of a mobile, customizable shaved ice experience resonated with us as a way to brighten hot summer days and special occasions.
Our motivation came from our dream of running our own business. Offering memorable experiences while supporting local schools and organizations through our Kona Ice FUNdraising program made it easy to commit to this journey.
One of our biggest challenges was picking up the truck in March 2020, just before COVID shutdowns began. Navigating permits, health regulations, and managing a seasonal business added to the complexity. By focusing on excellent customer service and community engagement, we turned each challenge into a valuable lesson. This approach fuels our passion to bring smiles and joy to our community through Kona Ice.
3 – Your business has been at the center of many community events in the area. What has that experience meant to you? What have you taken away from these experiences?
Being at the heart of community events is one of the most rewarding aspects of running Kona Ice. It’s truly incredible to see how our shaved ice brings people together, creating moments of joy and connection at school fundraisers, local festivals, youth sports, neighborhood parties, and milestone celebrations.
A few memorable moments come to mind:
- We’ve heard children exclaim, “Best day evah!” countless times!
- We helped someone celebrate their 80th birthday and have been part of several wedding celebrations!
- We’ve been honored to attend every birthday party for one family’s two boys over the past four years; we genuinely feel like part of the family!
These experiences highlight the joy we bring to the community and remind us why we love what we do.
4 – Kona Ice is known for its involvement in fundraising—how does the Giveback Program work, and what impact has it had locally?
Kona Ice proudly supports fundraising through our Kona Ice FUNdraising program. This initiative allows schools, sports teams, and local organizations to partner with us at their events, with a portion of our sales donated back to them. It’s a win-win: we provide a fun atmosphere and delicious shaved ice while our community partners receive valuable funds.
The impact of our FUNdraising program has been significant. We’ve raised thousands of dollars for schools, supported youth sports teams, and contributed to local charities. These funds have been used for equipment, supplies, scholarships, and community events.
Seeing families come together for a cause while enjoying our treats makes the experience fulfilling. Our involvement in fundraising not only supports local organizations but also strengthens community ties, showing that when we work together, we can achieve great things.
5 – What are the most popular flavors? Have you noticed any changes in customer preferences over time?
Far and away, Blue Raspberry is our most popular flavor. Not only is it delicious, but it also gives you a blue tongue—what kid wouldn’t love that? Other favorites include Ninja Cherry, Tiger’s Blood (a delightful strawberry-coconut blend), Monster Mango, and Cotton Candy Blue.
Adults often gravitate toward our more exotic flavors, such as Lavender Lemonade, Hawaiian Dreamsicle, Pomegranate Acai, and Caramel Macchiato.
Over time, we’ve noticed that while many customers return for their beloved classics, others enjoy experimenting with our new and seasonal flavors. Limited-time offerings like Vanilla Colada, Rocket Pop, and Sweet Caramel Apple always create excitement and keep our menu fresh and enticing.
6 – What’s next for Kona Ice—any big plans for the year ahead?
Looking ahead, Kona Ice has some exciting plans for the upcoming year! We’re focused on expanding our community presence by participating in more local events (like the Sudbury 4th of July Parade!), festivals, and fundraisers, further strengthening our ties with the community.
Last year, we proudly added our second truck, allowing us to serve even more customers and attend simultaneous events. Along with this expansion, we plan to introduce new products, including our Kandy Spoons and Topz (a sour sprinkel to add to top your Kona Ice), which will add a fun twist to our shaved ice offerings.
Additionally, we’ll continue to innovate by rolling out seasonal flavors and enhancing our Kona Ice FUNdraising program. Our goal is to collaborate with more schools, sports teams, and local organizations, providing them with a fun way to raise funds while enjoying our delicious treats.
Ultimately, our mission remains the same: to create memorable experiences that bring families and communities together. We can’t wait to see what this year has in store!