After visiting Charleston, an idea came to Candice Schneider. She wanted to open her own ice cream business for the area.

“I want[ed] to start an ice cream business because Mount Pleasant doesn’t have any soft serve and it’s my favorite thing,” Candice said.

However, she was unable to achieve her dream until about three years ago, when a large sum of extra money came into her possession. From there, Candice’s dream of opening her own soft serve ice cream became a reality.

Wanting to create something quick, convenient and delicious, Candice opened her very own mobile ice cream truck for the people of Charleston to enjoy.

“It just went through my mind for years and years but never was anything that I really thought I would do,” Candice said. Cotton Sky opened in May of this year and got its name from the Charleston sunsets that reminded her of cotton candy. “In my mind, I picture all of the colors of the cotton candy skies of South Carolina because we get this really beautiful sunset,” Candice said.

Currently, the trailer is parked in the GDC furniture lot on Coleman Boulevard on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, where they operate from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., as well as Bowman Place on Saturdays, where they operate from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ice cream aficionados can also find the trailer on King Street on Second Sundays, where they operate from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There are difficulties, however, that come with having a semi-permanent location for a business. With the use of a trailer, the set-up and pack-up process is much longer and more difficult than it would be with a permanent location.

“Having a trailer means there’s a lot of setup and teardown… everything inside has to be secured… so it’s quite an undertaking. It takes a while to get from point A to point B,” Candice said.

As the owner, Candice also works on other important aspects for the business.

“I do everything. I do the marketing. I pull the trailer. I create the menu. I test products. I run payroll,” Candice said. However, the mobile aspect of the store seems to be something Can-
dice is not willing to sacrifice, even though it can be difficult to manage. This is due to the fun atmosphere that she believes her set-up creates.

“The thing that I really love about this is that it’s not just somebody coming up to a food truck and getting ice cream, I really like creating an experience for people,” Candice said.

Candice likes to put out sidewalk chalk for kids to use, as well as having a bubble machine going, which she thinks creates a unique experience that is unlike a typical food truck or restaurant.

Junior Adeline Schneider is the daughter of Candice Schneider and currently works as a manager at Cotton Sky and has been helping her mom throughout the whole process of starting the business. Adeline works at the store almost everyday and often works double shifts when it’s particularly busy.

“We’re kind of on our groove right now because everyday is really a learning experience for us,” Adeline said. “I’m really proud of my mom because I know she’s been wanting to do this for a long time and I’m just really happy for her.”

Adeline believes that working for her mom has provided her with experiences that have helped her to learn more about what she might want to do in the future.

“It’s really good with helping with your leadership skills and being able to be more extroverted and being able to talk to people when you’re taking orders. It’s just really fun and I love going to work everyday,” Adeline said.

Despite the intense environment that can happen while working, Adeline finds that she still enjoys going to work and learning new skills.

“Sometimes it’s overwhelming. But also people that come up are super understanding if that machines kind of bug out, and they’re super sweet about it and it’s just really nice,” Adeline said.

Avery Mottin is also a manager at Cotton Sky and has been working there for a little over a month.

“I actually really enjoy it. The environment is really welcoming, no matter who I’m working with. Candice taught me very well how to work there and made it really simple for everyone,” Mottin said.

Currently, Cotton Sky is hiring and is in need of new employees. According to Mottin, the job itself is perfect for teenagers, due to its fun environment and simplicity.

“It sounds cliché but really [you need] a positive attitude and be willing to learn… I learned everything so fast because she taught it so well,” Mottin said.