Meet Philip Smith | Ice Cream Man and Para Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Philip Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philip, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My business, The Ice Cream Pedal’r, came about because I needed a side job to help pay my bills during the Summer when I wasn’t working my normal job with the Clare/Gladwin Career Technical Education program.

As a kid I worked for my dad’s ice cream parlor and thought that a “mobile ice cream business” might be fun and profitable. There wasn’t anyone selling ice cream treats locally, so I looked in other states and picked up a few ideas and ran with it.

I started selling ice cream from an old fashioned vending tricycle at the park and local events. Then I moved on to catering at weddings and other family and corporate gatherings and events.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’ve been working my ice cream business since 2018 and have had a few ups and downs. I started it with a credit card and big ideas on how to make some extra money. It’s a mobile business, so I needed a trailer to haul my freezer and push carts. The trailer was difficult to manage at some places so I upgraded to a cargo van. After my first year with the van, I had to replace the transmission! Lots of extra expenses meant I had to work harder and find more events to cater.

This year has been my best year ever! We have been working with several businesses, and families and now have expanded from just the Summer to serving ice cream into the Fall & Winter seasons of Michigan.

I feel that the excellent customer service I provide to my clients keeps them referring their family members to my unique desert catering. They love treating their friends, family, employees and customers to the nostalgic treats and service that I provide. Everyone loves ice cream!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

My town of Bay City is full of lots of great places to visit. There are plenty of antique stores, and unique shops to check out. The Americana Company Antiques Shop is one of my favorites.

The Delta College Planetarium is a must to check out for out of this world entertainment. Center Avenue is lined with beautiful old mansions from the early lumbering days of Bay City.

As for restaurants, we have tons of great mom & pop places with fantastic menus. Some of my favorites include: Roma’s Italian Restaurant, Mulligan’s Pub has the best burgers, Beaver’s Pub and G’s Pizzeria among many other bars and restaurants in the area.

Beatles and Beans is a great coffee shop completely decorated in Beatles memorabilia, floor to ceiling. Another shop to visit is St. Laurent Brothers. It’s a candy shop that’s been around for over a hundred years and makes the absolute best peanut butter and chocolate candies around.

I can’t forget to mention all the great parks around town, including Bay City State Park, on the Saginaw Bay.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could not have this business if it weren’t for the lessons I learned from my late father, and the love and commitment that my wife Mary provides.

Website: TheIceCreamPedalr.com

Image Credits
Philip Smith, Mary Smith