Business
Your largest startup expense will typically be your bike, which can range anywhere from approximately $4,000 to $25,000 depending on the model and features you choose. Beyond the bike itself, you'll want to budget for:
- A trailer to transport your bike (approximately $1,500)
- Event supplies such as menu boards, napkins, holders and bags (approximately $1,000)
- Marketing materials (approximately $500)
- Storage and/or commissary space (approximately $1,000)
- Permits and inspections (approximately $500)
- Packaging supplies (approximately $500)
- Your initial product inventory and ingredients (approximately $1,500)
- An additional miscellaneous fund (approximately $2,000) for unexpected expenses.
I do not franchise. Instead, I teach you the exact steps to replicate my business model but with your own brand identity. It’s much more fun that way! Bike Business University is just like a franchise but better because I set you up for success just like a franchise owner would but then you are the sole business to benefit.
After 12 years of starting & scaling my own ice cream bike business, I have truly learned every lesson imaginable. And after 12 incredibly hard and complicated years, it feels really good to be helping other people skip over my mistakes. I would be doing myself and other small business owners a disservice to keep it all to myself.
The Full Online Education Program is perfect for entrepreneurs who want more than just information. If you learn best through videos, demonstrations, live trainings and direct support, this is the option for you. You'll receive access to the complete program, monthly Zoom calls, email support, our private community, mentorship, updates and ongoing guidance to help you move from idea to launch as quickly and confidently as possible. The BBU PDF Guide is ideal for self-starters who simply want the information in an easy-to-follow format. If you prefer learning by reading, are comfortable implementing strategies on your own and don't need mentorship or community support, the PDF provides the same core framework at the most affordable price point. It's a great option for those who want to learn at their own pace and upgrade to the full program later if desired.
Bike Business University is for aspiring entrepreneurs, mobile business owners and established food businesses that want a proven roadmap for creating more sales, more freedom and more opportunities. Whether you want to replicate my exact ice cream bike business, launch a completely different product, add catering to an existing business or create additional revenue streams, BBU provides the systems, strategies and support to help you get there faster.
Absolutely! While Bike Business University teaches my exact ice cream bike business model, the real value goes far beyond ice cream. BBU is built around the systems, strategies and processes that can be applied to almost any food or beverage business.
Inside, you'll learn how to build a brand that stands out, package products for maximum profitability, book catering events, market your business, create repeat customers, price your products correctly and develop systems that allow you to scale without working around the clock.
In fact, many BBU members don't sell ice cream at all. We've had members launch businesses centered around coffee, swedish candy, lemonade, baked goods, cotton candy, fresh juice and countless other products.
The products may be different, but the business principles are the same. If you're looking to build a profitable food business with less overhead, more flexibility and more opportunities for growth, BBU can help you get there.
Yes! While Bike Business University was inspired by my own ice cream bike business, the majority of what's taught inside can be applied to almost any mobile, catering or food business. The lessons on branding, marketing, catering sales, pricing, product development, packaging, systems and customer experience are just as valuable whether you're operating from a bike, food truck, trailer, cart, storefront or even an online business.
Many members join BBU with no intention of ever owning a bike. They're there to learn how to create products people love, build a brand that stands out, book larger events and create systems that allow them to grow without constantly reinventing the wheel.
The bike is simply the vehicle that helped me build my business. The real value of BBU is learning the strategies that can help you build yours.
This is one of the most common questions I receive, and my answer is almost always the same: it depends far more on your creativity, strategy and willingness to put yourself out there than it does on your location.
I've seen people build successful businesses in beach towns, mountain towns, cities, suburbs and small rural communities. The key is finding the right products, identifying where your customers already gather and creating a business model that makes sense for your area.
The good news is that most successful bike businesses don't rely solely on riding around hoping to find customers. The real opportunity is often in catering, private & corporate events, schools, weddings, community gatherings, etc. And then expanding into e-commerce, home deliveries, corporate gifting and more which can have much more than a local reach.
100%! That’s what most people do (and is what I did as well!). I actually would NOT recommend quitting your job until you are fully comfortable with the business supporting you. This is the PERFECT business to start as a side hustle and grow as time and money allow.
Much bigger than most people think!
One of the biggest misconceptions about bike businesses is that you're limited by what physically fits on the bike. In reality, the bike is simply your serving station. As inventory runs low, you restock from coolers, freezers or support vehicles nearby.
I've personally catered events for thousands of people from a single bike. Because my products are prepackaged, serving large crowds is incredibly efficient and allows me to move people through the line quickly.
The true limitation isn't the capacity of the bike….it's having the right systems and restocking plans in place. Inside Bike Business University, I teach the exact production, packaging and event strategies that have allowed me to successfully cater events ranging from small private parties to events with thousands of attendees. Some event pay days range from $10k to $15k from ONE EVENT.
When operating from a bike, your products will generally need to be prepackaged ahead of time. Because bikes typically do not have hand sinks, washing stations or the equipment required for on site food preparation, the business model is built around serving products that are fully prepared, packaged and ready to hand directly to customers.
This is actually one of the biggest advantages of a bike business. Prepackaged products allow you to serve customers quickly, simplify operations, reduce labor and make it possible to cater large events with ease.
You can sell just about any item that is prepackaged. And lucky for you, inside Bike Business University I teach you my 7 step process for turning ANY food product into a prepackaged product.
Permitting is one of the biggest concerns for new business owners, but it's usually much more straightforward than people expect.
The exact permits you'll need depend on your state, county, products and business model. In most cases, you'll start by contacting your local health department and explaining that you'll be selling prepackaged food products from a bike. Because products are prepared in advance and not made on-site, the permitting process is often much simpler than that of a traditional food truck or mobile kitchen.
You may also need a business license, sales tax registration, health department approval, commissary agreement and insurance, depending on your location and products.
Absolutely! In fact, many of my Bike Business University students start building their business before they ever purchase a bike. It’s a great way to test products, build your brand and generate sales using coolers or other temporary setups.
This can be a great way to validate your concept, gain confidence and start generating revenue before making a larger investment in a bike.
One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is waiting until everything is perfect before getting started. The reality is that your first goal should be proving demand for your products and learning what works in your market. Once you have momentum, investing in a bike often becomes a much easier decision.
There isn't a one size fits all answer because your income will depend on your products, pricing, marketing efforts, willingness to sell and how consistently you show up. You can make $100k your first year….or you could make $0. It truly depends on you as the business owner more than any other factors.
But I do have students who are less than 6 months in and already having $10k-$20k months because they came in COMMITTED!
Not at all. Most people assume they need restaurant, catering or food service experience before starting a business like this, but that's simply not true. I built my business without a culinary background and that’s exactly what I teach…how to make products in the most efficient and simple way possible. No fancy steps needed.
Bikes
Most vending bikes on the market are built as generic carts on wheels with limited customization, lower quality components and are mass produced.
Our e-bike was designed from the ground up based on over a decade of experience operating a mobile food business. Every detail has been carefully considered….from durability and functionality to storage, transportation, branding opportunities and day to day usability.
This isn't a recreational bike. It's a purpose built business asset designed to help entrepreneurs create a professional customer experience and generate revenue for years to come.
Not having to worry about dry ice or electric (with our battery powered refrigeration) can end up saving you THOUSANDS of dollars per year.
Because simpler often means more profitable.
A bike business has MUCH lower startup costs, lower operating expenses, simpler permitting and far less overhead than a food truck or trailer. By focusing on prepackaged products and efficient operations, you can spend MUCH less time managing equipment and more time generating sales, creating memorable experiences and building a profitable business.
Sure do! Check out the endless opportunities Hudson Trailer Co builds HERE. You dream it, they can build it.
The top priority is ensuring your bike arrives safely. Because of the size, value and custom nature of these bikes, we currently use specialized transport services that provides a higher level of care during transit.
The bike needs to be packaged properly and adequate insurance coverage is usually not an option through UPS, FedEx, etc. A damaged bike can quickly become more expensive than the shipping savings.
As we continue to grow, we'll explore additional shipping options, but for now we've chosen the method that gives us the greatest confidence that your investment arrives safely and ready to roll.
The current bike lead time is about 10 weeks. But please keep in mind that may vary depending on your bike needs. Each bike is built by hand based off of your specific requests.
YES! This is one thing that we made sure of when designing because there is nothing more frustrating than getting to an event and realizing the bike doesn’t fit through the door! I’ve been there many times! But it’s a close call depending on HOW your door opens, so please be sure to measure accordingly. The bike at it’s widest point is 33.25 inches wide.
I do not sell other bikes, however, inside Bike Business University I do provide a few other options that I have used and loved over the years!
Products
At this time, no. And the reason for that is because the products are only one piece of the puzzle.
What truly makes this business work is the entire experience surrounding the products…from branding and packaging to pricing, marketing, customer experience, event strategy and sales systems. A great product without a great business behind it is still going to struggle.
The bags I use are one of the most frequently asked questions I receive, but the answer is only shared inside Bike Business University.
Over the years, I've tested countless packaging options to find bags that not only look great but also work well for production, freezing, transportation and customer experience. What may seem like a simple bag is actually the result of years of trial and error.
Inside Bike Business University, I share my exact packaging suppliers, links, specifications and recommendations, along with the complete packaging systems I use for my products.
Packaging plays a much bigger role than most people realize, and it's one of the many details that helps transform a simple food product into a memorable customer experience.
In most cases, no. The business model I teach is built around prepackaged products, which means products are prepared in advance and simply handed to customers at events. Because there is no on-site food preparation, cooking or scooping, equipment needs are minimal and permitting is often much simpler than a traditional food truck or mobile kitchen.
It depends on what you’re selling. If your products fall under Cottage Law (primarily baked goods only that require no refrigeration) then yes. But anything involving ice cream is a 9.9 times out of 10 no. You will need a commissary. But don’t let that stop you! Commissaries are very common and affordable now a days because the mobile food industry is so popular.
Because bikes typically do not have the hand sinks, dish washing stations and food preparation equipment required for on site food service. Selling prepackaged products keeps operations simple, makes serving customers faster and is often much easier to permit than preparing food on-site. This will become your superpower…trust me!
Inside BBU I teach you step by step how to make the most efficient and affordable handcrafted ice cream sandwiches, sorbet push pops, handmade freezie pops & canned beverages.
My advice is to keep your menu small and to focus on getting really good at just one or two products. Your goal should be to become the go to in your community for your products and by offering too many options you will be unintentionally making that more difficult for yourself. Also, small menus = higher profit margins.
No I do not, but rather I teach you how to replicate them on your own. Your margins will be so much better that way and then you get to focus on building your own brand rather than mine.
Support
The hardcopy of Bike Business University is ONLY available for current students to purchase. It is not a book that will be sold publicly. It is designed to be an additional way of learning for students who have already invested in BBU. You can however add it on to your BBU purchase either at checkout or down the road.
Both versions of Bike Business University teach the same core business model, strategies and systems. The biggest difference is the level of support, mentorship and training you'll receive.
The PDF Guide is a one-time purchase that provides the information in a written format. It's perfect for self-starters who prefer learning by reading, are comfortable implementing ideas on their own and simply want access to the framework at the most affordable price point.
The Full Bike Business University Program includes everything in the PDF Guide plus video trainings, monthly live Zoom calls, email support, mentorship, access to the private community, ongoing updates, referral opportunities and exclusive discounts on bikes, carts, ingredients and suppliers. It's designed for entrepreneurs who want guidance, accountability and a direct line to someone who has already built a successful bike business.
If you're the type of person who likes to learn independently and just wants the information, the PDF may be all you need. If you want support, community, feedback and the fastest path from idea to launch, the Full Program is likely the better fit.
Still unsure? Start with the PDF Guide. If you decide you want access to the Full Program later, you'll receive a coupon code that allows you to apply your PDF purchase toward an upgrade.
Absolutely! In fact, that's exactly why I created Bike Business University.
Over the years, I've received thousands of questions from aspiring entrepreneurs looking for advice on products, permitting, pricing, branding, marketing, events, equipment and everything in between. At a certain point, I realized the best way for me to truly help people was to organize everything I've learned into one place.
If you're looking for general inspiration, you'll find plenty of free content on my social media channels. But if you're looking for personalized guidance, detailed training, proven systems, feedback and direct access to me, Bike Business University is where that happens.
Yes, but only inside of the Bike Business University full program. If you would like hands on support, that is the best way to get it. Once you’re inside of BBU, I’m forever on your team and will do anything I can to help you get set up for success but I’m there at anytime throughout your journey.
Yes they sure do! Bike Business University students in the full online education program only (not the PDF) will receive a $500 discount on the e-bike as well as additional discounts on other bikes and carts featured inside of BBU.
If you purchase the PDF version of Bike Business University, you will receive immediate access upon purchasing. The digital program will be emailed to you. If you purchase the full program of Bike Business University, you will be sent an email within 12 hours to set up your log in information (this is because I need to get you set up in the system). After you set up your log in, you will have access forever, including any updates. You will not need to do anything to receive the updates, they will be in there automatically . The email with your log in information will come directly from the program host (Systeme.io) with subject line: Important: Access To Your Training. If you DO NOT receive it within 12 hours, please send me an email at: [email protected] so I can troubleshoot.