Kayla’s Italian Ice: A 9-Year-Old's Dream That Grew Into a Frozen Empire
- Jordyn Mayes
- Sep 19
- 5 min read
From a secret slime business to a thriving food truck brand, this 17-year-old is serving up scoops of success and a side of inspiration.
At just 17, Kayla Brooks is living a life most people can only dream of. The founder of Kayla's Italian Ice, she's built a thriving food truck business from a childhood idea born out of a simple need: a delicious dessert she could actually eat. Her story is a testament to vision, resilience, and the power of being your own biggest believer.
The journey began not with a business plan, but with a secret slime business that landed her in the principal's office three times. But the real spark came from a personal problem. Kayla and her family are lactose intolerant, and while visiting family in Queens, New York, she discovered the magic of Italian ice—a cool, creamy dessert that was completely dairy-free. Back home in Georgia, she was met with a stark reality: no one knew what it was. Her friends were clueless, and at birthday parties, she often couldn't enjoy the cake.
“I was like, ‘You know what? That’s a problem,’” she recalls.
With a determination that belied her age, nine-year-old Kayla took $100 from her slime earnings and presented her mom with a proposition.
“I think we should start an Italian ice business,” she said, not just to show her friends, but to bring this delicious, healthy treat to anyone who, like her, wanted to avoid what she playfully calls the “worst case of bubble guts.” Her mom, initially viewing it as a cute idea, added it to her consulting company. Her dad, a self-proclaimed “candy man,” was instantly on board. The rest of her family was equally proud, though not entirely surprised by her entrepreneurial spirit.
The Blueprint for a Boss
Before a single scoop was sold, Kayla's mom, Theresa Bostic, made her create a business plan. On a sheet of paper, a nine-year-old drew her 10-year vision for Kayla's Italian Ice—a roadmap that included a food truck, magazine features, and a partnership with Delta Airlines. She's since accomplished most of her goals. The food truck is a reality, she’s been featured in articles, and her franchising company is in motion. The only things left to check off? Going international and making the Forbes list.
Kayla's Italian Ice isn’t just a brand; it's a commitment to quality. As the company’s Chief Production Officer, she's the culinary mastermind behind every flavor. She insists on using real cane sugar and all-natural ingredients, with no artificial colorings or flavors. The result is a treat that’s not only delicious but also gluten-free and dairy-free, a smooth, creamy texture that sets it apart.
Her flavor journey is just as fun as her origin story. The first flavor she ever created was a top-secret concoction called “green fart,” a lemon-lime blend she'd never reveal the ingredients to. Her best-selling flavor today, Dream Mango, is a testament to her knack for turning a classic into a juicy sensation. With flavors like Hawaiian Pineapple and Aqualicious (watermelon), her creations are sold in retail stores, hotels, and markets across Atlanta.
Beyond the Scoop: Juggling Dreams and Defying Expectations
For Kayla, being an entrepreneur isn't just about the product; it's about the people. The biggest challenge she faced early on was getting adults to take her seriously. "Even when I would talk, they wouldn't really listen to me," she explains. This forced her mom to be the face of the business initially, but as Kayla has gotten older, she's proudly stepped into her role, surprising corporate bigwigs with her deep knowledge of her business.
“She’s not just the face—she is the business,” says her mother. “From the start, she knew the numbers, the product, and the vision. People would be so surprised when she started talking about profit margins and expansion plans.”
And while her business is a full-time passion, it’s far from her only one. A senior in high school, Kayla is a true Renaissance woman. She’s the president of her DECA chapter, the store manager for her school, and an athlete on both the cross-country and soccer teams. She credits her ability to balance it all to a meticulous calendar and a dedicated team, from her accountant to the people who drive the food truck.
Beyond the world of business, Kayla has another major goal on her horizon: becoming a commercial pilot. Her love for aviation was sparked at six years old, sitting in a window seat and watching her mom, a Delta employee, work a flight. She was mesmerized by the captain, the crew, and the endless expanse of clouds. It’s a dream she’s already pursuing, having completed a discovery flight and trained on flight simulators, with plans to attend Embry-Riddle, one of the top aeronautical schools in the country.
A Style, a Slogan, a Legacy
For a brand that started with a pushcart, Kayla’s Italian Ice has its sights set on global domination. To expand her brand beyond a simple food truck, Kayla envisioned a lifestyle. This led to a bold, though ultimately unrealized, collaboration with Puma. Working with a designer who had collaborated with icons like Kanye West and Jay-Z, she helped create a sweatsuit and sneaker collection inspired by her brand's slogan: “Delicious in Every Season.”
The shoes were a work of art, with shoelaces that had her slogan printed on them and colors that matched her five retail flavors. While the collection never launched due to Puma’s corporate changes, the experience was a pivotal moment. Seeing her brand on mannequins at a Disney event with top executives was “eye-opening and ecstatic,” proving that her Italian ice was more than just a treat—it was a full-fledged brand with a unique story and a stylish edge.
For other young people with big ideas, Kayla’s advice is clear and powerful: “Don’t let anyone underestimate you or switch up your character.” She wants people to take a crucial message from her story: you must be your own first investor, not just with money, but with effort, research, and belief. A customer from a recent event, sums it up: "You can just tell she loves what she does. Her energy is infectious, and the product is amazing. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the next big thing."
Her journey is a testament that whether you're nine or 17, with a dream and a little bit of hustle, anything is possible. She's not just running a business; she's living her dream, one scoop at a time.
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