Novi Resident Quits Corporate Job To Launch Flavored Ice Business

One year ago Novi resident Christine Kendall made a bold decision: she quit her accounting job and became a Kona Ice truck driver.

Kendall was tired of struggling to balance her work life with her three children, so she decided to give her notice for her office job.

Now she spends her days driving the streets of Novi and attending local events, selling flavored shaved ice on her Kona Ice truck and building new relationships in the community.

A destined discovery

Kendall stumbled upon the Kona Ice company while in Cincinnati with her husband celebrating their anniversary. Kona Ice was having its yearly convention at the hotel they were staying in.

After seeing the Hawaiian party, Kendall asked someone in the elevator what it was all about. The man told her and she went online to learn more about it.

"I was like, 'Oh my gosh! This is what I've been waiting for.' I've always wanted to own my own business, but I needed something to where I could strictly just rely on myself," she said.

She and her husband decided to take the plunge and franchise a truck, and she got started driving this past July.

Now she drives the neighborhoods of Novi, Northville, South Lyon and Lyon Township to sell the flavored ice. She also works festival and events, such as the South Lyon Farmers' Market, the Sizzling Summer Arts Series in Novi, some day cares, birthday parties, and games for the Michigan Youth Flag Football Association.

She said that her flexible schedule works out great for her family, especially being off during the winters when her husband is at his busiest as a certified public accountant.

"It just works for us, and I just enjoy it so much," she said.

With her bachelor's degree in business administration and her master's degree in accounting, Kendall thought she'd eventually want to be working in an office and have someone else drive the truck, but she was surprised to find that she enjoys driving so much.

Although she admits that she misses having a salary, Kendall said she and her husband are happy with their investment in the Kona Ice truck.

Building a sense of community

Kendall said her favorite part of her job is interacting with so many people.

Her son is a senior at , graduating this June. She'll be at his class' all-night party with her truck, but she said she wants to build a bigger sense of a community for her daughters, ages 4 and 5, as they grow up in town.

"I want to be able to give them an opportunity to feel like they're part of something more," she said.

Kendall said she's been surprised by how many relationships she has formed with children and families through her business.

"I've already gone through some of the neighborhoods with the nice, warm weather that we've had, and I'm just like, 'Oh my gosh! The kids are so big!" she said.

Kendall said one of the best surprises of driving the truck has been bringing new neighbors together. When she drives through a newly built subdivision, several people will gather to buy some Kona Ice from her.

"Next thing you know, there's four or five people standing around eating, and people are shaking hands, introducing themselves to their neighbors," she said. "You don't know if they've been there a week or six months, but now they're all outside eating a Kona Ice and they're talking to each other."