Sweet Bites N Ice – Bakersfield, California
“My family and I are incredibly grateful for the support and guidance we received from the SBDC throughout our entrepreneurial journey. Their assistance in navigating the complexities of starting a business, from legal requirements to marketing strategies, has been invaluable. With their help, we have been able to create job opportunities for our community and are excited to expand to a second location. The SBDC has truly been a key partner in our success, and we look forward to continuing our growth with their ongoing support.”
-Stephanie Chavez
Owner of SWEET BITES N ICE
Stephanie Chavez started Sweet Bites N Ice with her parents, Gloria and Alex in June 2020 out of a food truck. The business sells a variety of sweet treats and drinks including aguas frescas, horchata, ice cream, egg waffle cones, crepes, and funnel cakes. The crepes and funnel cakes are served with the option of adding ice cream, fruit, and dry toppings.
Lead SBDC Consultant, Jim Keeler has been Stephanie’s business advisor since she contacted the SBDC in December 2019 before the business opened. The many areas of help he provided Stephanie and her family include: establishment of a legal entity, obtain necessary permits from the city and health department, explore effective marketing channels, and navigate the complexities of hiring employees.
Jim also helped the family to find a mobile food truck for purchase in Texas after a nationwide search. Not long after, the business expanded to a commercial kitchen where they prepare all of the batters and prep to serve on the truck.
New expansion is in progress with a brick-and-mortar store in construction at the Maya Cinemas Bakersfield complex. It is expected to open in late 2023.
What inspired Stephanie to start her business?
“During my last year at the University of California, Irvine, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe and discovered numerous places that offered desserts like crepes and waffles, topped with ice cream. These establishments focused on providing customers with a quick dessert snack experience, rather than a formal sit-down restaurant setting. This concept intrigued me, sparking the inspiration to bring it to Bakersfield by opening a food truck that specializes in sweets. Building upon the idea, my mom suggested incorporating Mexican flavors into our desserts. We excitedly added flavors like marzipan and tres leches to infuse a unique twist. To complement our treats, we also introduced a wide array of drinks, offering over 60 flavors of fruit drinks and horchatas.” -Stephanie Chavez