By: Keletso Mkhwanazi
A 21-year-old Public Relations graduate from the Durban University of Technology started a mobile ice cream business during COVID-19 because she wanted to make additional money. Sinenhlanhla Ngcobo said that due to the lockdown in 2021, she was unable to attend class, so she came up with the business concept for Frozen Treats by Sne. “I used my NSFAS allowance as a start-up for my business. I started selling ice cream to those who follow me on social media and my neighbours when I was at home,” she told Vutivi News.
“My dream is to open an ice cream sit-in store because there isn’t one in my neighbourhood.” Ngcobo said that when she started out, she found it difficult to run a business and study at the same time. She also struggled to find reliable and trustworthy suppliers because she was new to the ice cream market. “I researched until I found a suitable one to use in 2021. Load-shedding has been an ongoing concern for my business. Making ice cream, as we all know, needs the use of an electric freezer, so every time we lose electricity for more than two hours, I’m still battling with that,” she said.
Ngcobo added that when she moved to her new location, which was her father’s container, it needed to be upgraded. “I completed the signage and designs. I then painted it in my favourite colours to make it more appealing to my customers. My business’s success is my pride and motivation to push even harder,” Nqcobo said, emphasising that she was still looking to do additional renovations since she wanted her business to thrive.
The company’s short-term goal is to build a sit-in restaurant so customers can enjoy their ice cream while relaxing. In the longer term, Ngcobo’s aim is to open another site within four years, possibly at a mall. “I advise aspiring entrepreneurs to never give up on their dreams. Remember that whatever you desire is only attainable if you are willing to put in the effort,” she noted, adding that all they needed was to start and have the right attitude and discipline.
