What happens when you ask a question, or make a comment, and the person that is supposed to know the business makes a statement that isn't what you want to hear? Oh I think most of us, or our clients have dealt with this one. But what do you do really.....Do you accept what the expert says....or do you investigate on your own to ascertain the validity of the statement?
I was talking to someone yesterday about my new venture, and while filling out the paperwork I mentioned how excited I was that my Grandkids and I would be doing this for the summer. That's when the bomb dropped and the owner told me that kids aren't allowed in Ice Cream Trucks! What? That just ruined all our plans in less than 5 minutes!
Well, I listened, and thought there has to be a way, maybe she's wrong. If she isn't then there has to be another way to accomplish the objective of spending the summer with my Grandkids selling ice cream. So, I came home and went online Googling " DMV rules for Ice Cream Trucks." That gave me some info, but not what I was looking for. I then went to "Are Kids allowed in ice cream trucks" and a host of other things.
Zilch.....couldn't find anything about kids in ice cream trucks. I think I have read everything there is online by now, and still not getting an answer.....but I need one, so once again there has to be a way to get it. Then it hit me: Go to the source!
And that's exactly what I did....I drove over to the local California Highway Patrol Office and asked them, "Are kids allowed to be in an ice cream truck?"
And the answer is: "There is no law against kids being in an Ice Cream Truck!" That answer just saved our summer plans. It does pay to question and do our own research no matter who says what, and no matter what position they have. Sometimes it's OK not to take NO for an answer :)
Even the experts can be wrong, and if it's something we really want to do, or know, then it's worth the effort to verify for ourselves.
By: Kathy McGraw - Real Estate Agent who will be enjoying the summer with her Grandkids on their own Ice Cream Truck. Look for us in the Cabazon, Whitewater, North Palm Springs, and Palm Desert areas this summer.
WOW, Sounds like you are going to be the Good Humor Lady. I actually think that is a branded name so what are you calling your new venture. Sounds like a fun way to spend the summer and glad this all worked out. Usually determination wins out and you clearly demonstrated why we all need to do our research. Had the people you asked not actually known, which it appears they didn't anyway, suppose they said yes and after you expended the money , you found out differntly and you couldn't do it. Glad you checked it out for yourself. Good point and great point!
Hi William- Yep I am going to be an Ice Cream Lady, but haven't figured out the name...was thinking of just using my own name as my Ice Cream Truck will be going through my Real Estate Farm areas. We will also be working over by the Spa and Knott's Soak City which of course the kids love....swimming and ice cream, yep we're ready :)
Hi Kathy,
Sounds to me like you're going to have fun with your grand-kids this summer, good for you!
Hi Lynda...yea, now I'm trying to figure out where to get some date shakes :) Let me know when you and your Grandaughter are out here and we'll meet up :)
I'm guiilty of not taken 'no' for the final answer perhaps a few to many times - my favorite word is 'why' and along with that comes the research - when the two don't matchup ........i think 'i knew it made no sense' lol
those Snickers bars look darn good.... just remember to have some jumpseats with racing harness for seatbelts :)
Liz- that's why we are so alike :) So many people have tried to get me to accept the word "No" but as evidenced in this case...it wasn't in my best interest LOL :)
Thesa- Now you're talking...jump seats for the kids :) Wait till you see the M& M Cones....both of them make my mouth drool :)
I'm sure there are safety rules for passengers in commercial vehicles. While there may be no law against children in Ice Cream trucks, I suspect that there are laws about passengers in commercial vehicles, seats, safety belts, etc.
Safety would be the rule.
Sounds like a wonderful memorable summer for all.
Hi Kathy, well, that was a proactive thing to do. So, you and your grandkids will be spending the summer doing something really fun! What an interesting thing to decide to do! I have always thought the guy who has the hotdog stand on the side of the road is a genius, turns out, he is! Makes money hand over fist. We only have 2 of them local, and boy are they hopping!
As a side note, for the first time in 7 years there is an ice cream truck going by my house!
If something seems not quite right I will go research it even before posting. Sometimes like you I even find trouble finding the answers on Google. Have a great summer and what a way to spend it.
Lenn- You are absolutely right, there are passenger rules just like in any vehicle, and everyone has to have a seat with a seat belt! The California Highway Patrol Officer made that perfectly clear (which of course to me was common sense).
Andrea- Sometimes it is the simple things that get overlooked the most.....believe me selling ice cream was very far from my mind until recently, however it is an ideal activity to meet my needs of flexibility, being seen in my farm, and having fun.
Missy- Doing our research is important for any successful activity....it helps though if there are answers. But what did people do before Google....they asked :)
Kathy I was trying to think of a catchy name for the Ice Cream / Real Estate Lady. Most of the cleaver names are used already but I am still thinking on it. If I come up with something, will get back to you on t.
Thanks William, you're a sweetheart :)
Kathy,
Ok, I way behind here in the Rain and it seems you have run and joined the circus while I was away! LOL. Now, what is this about you and your g'kids selling ice cream this summer? It sounds like fun and a great way to spend time with them. You better set some ground rules and all the profit may end up in their tummies.
Kathy, What a fun venture you have lined up! I'm glad you went to the source but surprised you couldn't find the answer anywhere online. I can think what a fun summer you will have and get to know some new people...make sure to hand them napkins with your business information :)!
Cynthia- Thanks for the laugh..the Circus huh, don't give us any ideas :) I will write a Post later, this one was just to show that accepting NO for an answer isn't always the best thing. And with 5 gran-kids, plus me (big kid too) we do indeed need to set some rules on eating the inventory...but don't those ice creams look delicious?
Carole- Oh yes, we have already planned out the routes, and made sure we will have time to stop at the local swimming holes :) Napkins you say....naw this is the Wild West out here...no napkins allowed, use your sleeve :)
Kathy - WOW - what a great experience for your grandkids, and what a way to spend a summer. I have always believed that it is important in a childs life to do things with them that creates fond memories for them and you. This will certainly be a summer to remember for both.
Hi Kathy...We seem to think alike. It's not what we buy them, but what we make with them that counts. I remember so well spending part of my summer vacations with my Grandmother. She taught me a lot of things and we did many things. My Grandkids and I have many great memories and this summer should be one more....I love activities that can be shared :)
Kathy, now that you can show them that there is no law to prevent the kids from being in the truck with you, the question still remains, is the company going to let you do that?
Kathy, what a fun summer this is going to be for you and the grandchildren!
Hey George..I haven't told all the story, there is no company.....I am buying the truck, and the expert I am talking about is the owner of the place we get the ice cream from. So, to answer your question....now that I know it's OK, the kids will be taking turns going with me in the truck :)
Maria- I sure would have liked to do this when I was a kid :)
Sounds like an insurance issue to me. Thankfully, I lost my sweet tooth long ago. Get the camera ready and willing, it should be a memorable summer for you all:)
Jason dear...no sweet tooth...I don't think I know anyone that doesn't like some type of sweets :) Hope all is well in your neck of the woods...
Kathy,
I'm guilty to say I've ridden in many ice cream trucks in my time but I can't say I would let my kid do it nowadays with all those freaks that are loose.
Kathy, I think kids and ice cream trucks just seem to be a perfect match. I had a friend who became disabled who drove an ice cream truck and his young kids rode with him while his wife ran a very successful hair salon.
Kathy:
Thanks for posting your question! I am trying to get into the business and we are hitting wall after wall where we live! This is a venture that we want to get into but it's been very difficult because people are either not able to give out the information, don't have the correct information, or are unwilling to provide the information! Finally...Thanks taking the time to talk to me and give me more information! It's been a real challenge to get people to tell you anything in this business. What we learned from you in 1 hour we will walk away for a lifetime of knowledge!
If you want to talk to someone that knows the answers and not get the run around go and talk to Kathy! She's a great help!
Thanks for everything! Hope to talk to you soon!
Carolee & Matthew Gage
Keizer, OR