We were lucky to catch up with Dolphin Coley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dolphin , thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Being a business owner can be extremely stressful, discouraging and overwhelming at times. Sometimes you feel like you’re on top of the world and some days you feel like the world is on top of you. Every now and then as an entrepreneur, I think about what life would have been like if I chose the path of working a 9-5 job. But, with a resounding YES, I am happy to be a business owner. I think about career moves that could’ve or should’ve been a better move, but then I also believe in destiny. And if destiny would have dictated the should’ve worked a regular job would have most definitely been would’ve! Working a regular 9-5 means following someone else’s rules, regulations and policies. I have done this in the past. I think about the stress levels that come with working anywhere as a whole and as an entrepreneur. I have a lot more control of the stress because I can manage my time and how it’s spent.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m an owner of an Italian ice company called “Dolphins Water Ice Factory” based in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. We have been in this area since 2014, however, it was started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2004. We manufacture Real Philly Water Ice also known as Italian Ice which is a non dairy frozen dessert made with all natural fruit. One of the many delicious things Philadelphia is known for.
What sets our Philly style water ice apart is the care that is taking to create a superior product that I am proud of and the natural ingredients that are used.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I started very small with the businesses from mobile carts to trailer and finally to brick and mortar. The rule is to always use other people’s money. Small Business loans or investors are great resources for start up capital.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to learn was to never ever get comfortable, no matter how good you’re doing in business. Unforeseen things happen so consistently grind like you’re broke. Key to success is Consistency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dolphinswatericefactory.com
- Instagram: @dolphinswaterice_atl
- Facebook: Dolphins Water ice Factory
- Linkedin: Dolphins Water ice Factory
- Other: Tic Tok : Dolphins Water ice Factory
