We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ikaika Anderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ikaika below.

Alright, Ikaika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The story story behind my mission comes from my purpose in life. I live my life my to inspire those who look like myself, to provide a model that you don’t have to follow the norms of every day life, that you can create your own lane, develop your own to avenues to success. We live a life where we often caught in the lights and glamour of what is suppose to look like, and that’s often not true. Success is finding a purpose to live by and fulling that purpose from day to day. My purpose is to Inspire others and that’s the story behind my mission.

Ikaika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey in business has been long and joyful. When I graduated college and decided I was done playing baseball I decided I would on my own business. Before owning my business I knew that there were skills that I needed to develop, so I got a job in the restaurant industry. I was a bartender and manager for four years. The restaurant industry helped me form communicational skills and develop relationships, as well as teaching what it takes to own a restaurant. Before I would go on to own my own business I had a short stent in politics, I ran for both city council and mayor of the city that I grew up in. My short time in politics furthered my relationship skills and taught many lessons. While I was still undecided on where my path would lead, I coached high school baseball which taught me how to a leader and a teacher. Throughout that journey I knew I wanted to own my own restaurant, so. I began to study the industry more and create a plan that I would execute. .

I now own Gemelos Shave Ice. We currently have a food truck and a stand alone restaurant, with goals of expanding in the near future. Gemelos Shave Ice was developed in the thought process of providing a high product at a price point that all can enjoy. We have had the opportunity to work with local communities and schools to bring to joy to everyone who has had our shave ice.

For anyone who has plans of building something for themselves I tell them, create a plan, work towards accomplishing the goal within the plan and to have faith. Things don’t always turnout the way you expect, but if you have a goal and work towards that goal everyday, eventually your dreams will become true.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There’s a time when almost gave up on the owning all business. I want to financial stability and I wanted it now. I decided I would be a teacher and that give me financial stability and time to grow my business on the side. There came a time where I was more focused on teaching than actually building my business. And just before I was ready to sign a new teaching contract I stumbled upon the building that would eventually going to become our flagship location. At that moment I had to go all in on the business, and I couldn’t worry about financial stability. I had to leave it up to faith. Since that moment everything has worked out in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner is also my life partner, wife and mother of my children. We have different skill sets that helps to balance one another and the business. She owns Twin Kookies and Sweets, a custom decorative cookies business. At one point we kept our businesses separate, but since combining the businesses we have been able to grow at an exponential rate. I couldn’t ask for a better business partner.

Contact Info:

• Website: Twinkookiesandsweets.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemelosshaveice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gemelosshaveice/