Who Is the Lil' Ice Cream Dude?

Who is the Lil’ Ice Cream Dude?

He is Victor “Beau” Tracy Shell, a 13-year old who believes that ice cream should be its own food group! Beau (pronounced Bo) believes that he can spread happiness with his ice cream and he loves his business.He is Athens’ youngest entrepreneur and he is the youngest person ever to become a member of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. He owns and operates his own ice cream cart and trailer (affectionately named the Popsicle). He is the Lil’ IceCream Dude and he is in his 3rd year of operation. He was recently named one of Zagat’s Atlanta Top 30 Under 30. This honors recognizes trailblazers and“rock stars in the food industry.” He has been named an honorary member of the International Association of Ice Cream Distributors and Vendors for five consecutive years. Also received numerous scholarships and business awards including a scholarship from the Kids Dreaming Big Scholarship contest sponsored by African Pride hair care products. He was presented his award by Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Cynthia Bailey.

Beau’s Birthday Wish

This Lil’ Dude has been in business since the age of eight. For his 8th birthday, he asked his parents for an ice cream cart because he wanted to go into business for himself. He expressed a sincere desire to give more to his school’s missionary, buy his own toys, help the family, and to be able to eat his favorite cool ice cream treats. After convincing his parents that he was serious (he was extremely persistent), they took the proper steps to get his business license and vendor’s permit. With a customized ice cream cart that included an ice cream freezer and a welded frame and some old bicycle tires, Beau was in business. He only worked three events in the summer of 2012, but he made $308 in one and he has not looked back. In the summer of 2013, his father built him a customized trailer so he could take his cart anywhere he wanted. This trailer allowed him to work nearly 30 events. These included employee/office Appreciation Days, summer camps, neighborhood parties, birthday parties and tailgate parties. He also began public speaking during this summer. In his first speaking appearance he delivered a heartfelt thank you to over 300 members of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. He also took his cart to an Atlanta Falcon training camp practice in Flowery Branch, Ga.

Beau Grows

By the end of summer 2013, his business had outgrown this trailer as well. Knowing that he needed a larger trailer, Beau asked his parents to let have an old trailer that was sitting in the yard. They agreed, but warned him he would have to earn the money to customize it himself. He agreed. He named the trailer the Popsicle and decided to run a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help raise the money to fix up the Popsicle. He was able to raise over $3,000 which was enough to help him get the Popsicle up and running. Several individuals and companies donated to Beau’s crowdfunding campaign including Deborah Knott of the Warner Family and FriendsFoundation. It was Beau’s idea to place Ms. Knott’s name, along with the names of several other individuals and companies on the front wall of the Popsicle as a show of appreciation for their support. The Popsicle has helped Beau to work over 400 events since it was put into operation. The Popsicle has also helped him to earn enough to purchase two additional carts. These carts helped him to become the youngest licensed vendor to ever work in Sanford Stadium during a UGA football game.