Meet Dave Wong of Blue Monkey Shaved Ice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Wong.

Hi Dave, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started with a dream to make the best-shaved ice in the world and spread joy through my work. But before all that, I waited tables for four years at the Cheesecake Factory to save up money to start my business. It was super boot-strapped in those early years. I bought a used trailer that some guy had built on an old wrecked pickup truck frame. I did all my own electrical, plumbing, mechanic, graphic design, etc. and got everything up to codes. It’s amazing what you can learn with the internet and a little determination. The business continued to grow every year and I kept reinvesting to get to the point we are today. I’ve by no means “made it” but the business is doing well, I met my wife on the job, and I can outsource some of that mechanic work 🙂

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not sure starting any small business is smooth. If it were easy everyone would do it right? The very first problem I encountered was getting proper paperwork. Food trucks were brand new to Nashville at the time and there weren’t any commissary kitchens. I literally knocked on every bar & restaurants door until someone would take a chance on letting a stranger use their kitchen as a base of operations. Eventually, someone did but I had lost half the summer before I found them.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We make the best-shaved ice in the world! This starts with super soft snow. It’s not your typical snow cone. Our ice is shaved very fine & fluffy. You’ll notice the difference soon as you taste it. We then top it with our gourmet flavorings. All our flavors are made in house using cane sugar and our signature recipes utilizing premium purées, fruit juices, extracts and concentrates. We have a retail location on 12 South but also cater parties, events, and festivals!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Every successful person has had their fair share of luck, but you also have to put yourself in position to get lucky. I was lucky enough to be one of the first food trucks in Nashville. That helped me get my name out but it also came with its own set of challenges. We all deal with opportunities & setbacks and how you deal with them ultimately matters more than pure luck.

Pricing:

• Small Shaved Ice 5.50
• Large Shaved Ice 7.00

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.bluemonkeyshavedice.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluemonkeyice/
• Facebook: Facebook.com/bluemonkeyice
• Twitter: Twitter.com/bluemonkeyice

Image Credits
Siyman Wicked Tasty