The Summer of Shaved Ice and Dreams
Ah, summer! A time for pool parties, vacations, and overpriced iced coffee. But thanks to Kaimore, the youth of Monterey Park got to indulge in something far more riveting—internships at the local Farmers’ Market. Yes, you read that right. If you thought working an eight-hour shift at a desk was dull, try selling shaved ice to parched Southern Californians!
Scraping the Bottom of the Ice Barrel
Participants aged 16-29 seized the opportunity to run a full shaved ice booth, gaining invaluable experience in entrepreneurship—because nothing says “future CEO” quite like asking strangers if they’d like a sprinkle of rainbow syrup on their sno-cones. Each intern learned the ins and outs of customer service, inventory management, and creating foot-traffic attraction, otherwise known as pulling in hordes of bewildered people searching for relief from the sun.
Breaking the Cycle of Generational Flavor?
In a brave attempt to tackle the obstacles posed by generational poverty, Kaimore’s Market Ready Program aims to equip young folks with essential workforce skills. This includes mentoring and practical lessons on business management. Who knew that selling a frozen treat could become an elegant metaphor for life’s slippery slopes? Interns not only whipped up sweet delights but also learned about cash flow, ensuring they didn’t accidentally end up paying customers for the privilege of enjoying shaved ice.
Curriculum: The Icy Truth
And let’s not forget about the education! The program isn’t just about scooping ice and daydreaming of being the next Ben & Jerry. It’s phase two in the Market Ready curriculum, complete with Financial Literacy masterclasses and a Business 101 course. Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? Yet, one must wonder if “Pitch Day Competition” actually requires interns to throw ice at potential investors. Spoiler alert: it does not.
The Sweet Taste of Success
Among the highlights of this culinary venture, many interns reported a surge in confidence. Imagine the rush of knowing that you can indeed keep a small business afloat while simultaneously managing customers desperate for that elusive “extra scoop.” They flexed their communication skills and leadership prowess, having expertly executed a summer campaign of “don’t miss out on the magic of ice!”
Building Character, One Scoop at a Time
Executive Director Joyce Lam claims the mission is to help these aspiring entrepreneurs build confidence and discover their strengths. Who knew that serving sugary refreshments could foster life lessons about teamwork and resilience? Perhaps next year they can teach a masterclass titled “How to Win Friends and Influence Shaved Ice.”
We Want More Ice, Please!
This summer’s buzz reveals an undeniable hunger for experiential learning opportunities in Los Angeles. Kaimore is eying an expansion next year, promising to add more spots, move to additional farmers’ markets, and deepen mentorship programs for those eager to turn their ice-related side-hustles into sustainable income streams. Because nothing says “I’ve arrived” quite like claiming your entrepreneurial success story in bright blue shaved ice syrup.
