ACCION San Diego Client Spotlight

SWEET TREATS
The Hip, Sleek Ice-Cream Truck for the Young at Heart!

Picture an old school ice cream truck transformed to look like a 1950’s Hot Rod. Then add a killer stereo system, along with a selection of the finest quality ice cream bars, gourmet cookies & brownies, hot drinks, snacks, Gatorade, and Monster Energy drinks. That is the exact idea husband and wife team, Chris and Jennifer, had in mind. With the help of ACCION San Diego, they created not only an idea, but started a small business, cleverly named Sweet Treats.

Sweet Treats officially opened in July 2008 with the idea of bringing back the childhood memory of chasing after the old ice cream truck with money in your hand, but with a modern twist. “We are not your typical ice cream truck,” says one of the Sweet Treats’ owners, Jennifer Saint. “We are ‘Bringing Smiles To People’s Faces…One Lick at a Time!’”

The Sweet Treats team converted an old delivery truck and added a custom paint job with hand-painted pin-striping. Instead of the traditional ice cream truck jingles used to attract children, the Sweet Treats truck plays their own remix using subwoofers and outdoor speakers and mainly caters to adults.

In April 2008, the Sweet Treats team applied for a $35,000 loan with ACCION San Diego after being referred by a friend who already had an ACCION loan. After receiving the full amount requested, Sweet Treats purchased a truck and freezers, paid for a custom paint job, installed the sound system, created a company logo, built a website, bought uniforms, and ordered inventory to get started.

“There is no other ice cream truck like this in San Diego,” explains Jennifer. “We only carry high quality branded ice cream such as Haagan Daaz, Ben & Jerry’s, Dryers, and Nestle, but we also have a few of the old school favorites such as Big Sticks, Snow Cones and Ice Cream Sandwiches. We even carry Frosty Paws ice cream for your dogs!”

With less than two years under their belt, Sweet Treats continues to grow and expand its business. Sweet Treats currently specializes in catering special events such as birthday parties, weddings, skate and surf contests, grand openings, community events, trade shows, corporate events, fundraisers, and much more. There is not an event too big or too small that Sweet Treats can’t be a part of!

Sweet Treats recently purchased a second ice cream truck and has incorporated mobile advertising into their business plan. They have developed ideas to work with local businesses to provide them with cutting edge visual marketing. The Sweet Treats truck can be wrapped with a company’s logo and stocked with ice cream that will be distributed to a pre-determined target market that best relates to that companies product or services. This unique approach allows businesses to reach their target audience in the areas which will create the most impact for them. “We offer an effective advertising alternative to traditional media for companies of all sizes,” Jennifer explains.

Sweet Treats also finds it very important to give back to the community. “We have teamed up with the “Life Rolls On” Foundation, which is a division of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, to make an impact in the community by donating a portion of all of our profits to support the lives of young people that have been affected by spinal cord injuries,” Jennifer says.

Needless to say, Sweet Treats is unlike anything out there! Why throw the same old boring parties when you can use Sweet Treats to add a fun and unique flair to any event? Call them, you’ll be in for a treat!

ARTICLE BY: ACCION San Diego Staff
ACCION San Diego is a SDMFA partner.

SWEET TREATS
858-761-4908
[email protected]
www.sweettreatstruck.com