Sno-cone vendor staying relevant naturally

by Marlon Madden

At least one sno-cone vendor has been adding a twist to his usually icy sugary beverages as he offers customers the option of sipping on more natural flavours that are less sweet.

Owner of Tyson’s Sno-Cone, Simon Tyson, told Today’s BUSINESS that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic he made the conscious decision to introduce the natural flavours among the mix of colourful syrup options. This, he said, was one of the innovations he had to employ in an effort to stay afloat as more people became more mindful about the kind of food and drinks they were consuming.

“We are doing natural flavours and then I am introducing some herbs into it. So I do things like ginseng, carrots, cucumber and ginger and turmeric. So I try to find other ways to innovate the business to make it more exciting, rather than just being boring,” he said. With the new options, Tyson said he is now able to offer bigger sizes for the beverages which are usually sold for between $6 and $10 across the island. “During the pandemic a lot of people weren’t really doing the sugars. So I hit them with the carrot, cucumber, ginger and turmeric and no sugar,” he said, as he pointed out that each ingredient had its health benefits.

“Sometimes I do lemon grass and ginger and a lot of people like that. I do orders for people as well. So I am trying to convert into a healthier thing, but still carry a few of the [traditional] ones that people will like. Other sno-cone vendors are doing the same thing as well,” he indicated.

The 62-year-old entrepreneur has been operating his sno-cone business for the past 47 years, but he said he has been doing so “off and on” so that he could do other jobs in between over the years. However, for the past seven years Tyson has been giving the business his full attention.

He said: “Sometimes it is good, sometimes it has been a little slow, and then the pandemic hit and put [me] out of business, but thanks to the Prime Minister for opening up back the country, I get a little ease and I get a chance to earn again. It is a rough road but I stayed with it”. Plying his trade seven days a week, he operates mostly from the Swan Street and wider Bridgetown area.

He told Today’s BUSINESS that since the removal of the curfew and relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year, he has been “going to the places where the people are to see if they will still respond to me the way they used to”. Tyson explained that while a lot of people seemed to shy away from having a sno-cone earlier out in the pandemic, this was slowly beginning to change given that he was offering natural flavoured drinks on the shaved ice and “because they know their roots, and this is one of our old traditional things”.

Indicating that many people were still drawn to the flavourful syrup options, he added: “Bajans will not let go just so regardless of if they want to cut down on the sugars. They just take less syrup and a little bit more water and they are good to go”.

He has not been spared the effects of rising commodity prices. However, this entrepreneur said he was trying his best to absorb those costs as much as possible in order to not price himself out of the market. “I can’t carry the price up every time I get a raise on the prices. So I know for myself I have to put in more work to get what I am accustomed getting. After being in business for a long time you learn how to absorb the cost. You can’t absorb all of it, but you learn to absorb some of it,” he said.

Tyson said he would encourage fellow entrepreneurs not to rush and increase their prices as soon as they feel the pinch. “I know you are not going to make as much as you used to make. So let’s say you used to make $2 and you have to settle for $1.50 or put in a bit more work to get that $2, well, do that.

Don’t try to kill the customer,” he advised. He said some days he would make way less than he used to prior to the pandemic, but quickly indicated that “I don’t let that discourage me. I just try to put in more work and work a little bit more hours now.” He lauded the Mia Mottley-led Government for its push towards improvements for vendors, adding that he was happy that the level of harassment from law enforcement officers has declined.

At the end of last year, Government passed the National Vending Bill, which among other things, decriminalises vending without a licence or permit, but require guilty parties to pay an administrative penalty of $500. Tyson said he longed for the day when prices on fruits and vegetables would be more affordable so that more people are able to consume healthier options. He also wants the process of obtaining a vending licence to operate from various locations made easier.

“Right now, I figure that they should do something with the way the people control the prices on the produce that they sell us. That could help, and just a little more ease on the restriction with the vending. I am not saying to bend the rules to make us look good but try to ease us. Don’t harass us . . . It is not as regular as before. I see that we are dealing with it,” he said. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb