Young entrepreneur reopens mobile ice cream business for summer season

At just 19 years old, Madrid resident Katrina Doolittle is preparing to begin the second season of her mobile ice cream business, Kat’s Creamery, bringing frozen treats to communities across Perkins County and beyond. Doolittle officially reopened for the season during the Spring Market held Saturday at the Perkins County Fairgrounds.

Doolittle said the idea for the business began as a distant dream of someday owning an ice cream shop. That dream started to take shape after encouragement from her family, especially her oldest brother.

“I had this faraway dream of someday owning an ice cream shop, but never planned to do anything with it seriously until I was older,” Doolittle said. “The subject came up around my family and my oldest brother, Jeremy, suggested that instead of a shop I should start a trailer instead. He offered to help me get it started. And thus the idea was launched.”

Doolittle said Perkins County felt like the natural place to begin the business because of her ties to the area and support from local residents, although she occasionally travels to neighboring communities and events as well.

Despite having no prior business experience, Doolittle said she was able to get the operation up and running with determination and plenty of research.

“Honestly the biggest challenge was my mind,” she said. “I had to find the willpower to actually get up and work on it.”

She purchased the trailer through Facebook Marketplace after searching for one that was already equipped as a food trailer and required only minor modifications.

Through her mobile business, she offers six flavors of ice cream along with a variety of sundaes and rotating daily specials, including banana splits, brownie sundaes, strawberry sundaes, root beer floats and ice cream cookie sandwiches. Doolittle said the ice cream is purchased through a small company based in Essex, Iowa.

Last summer, Doolittle developed a loose schedule, primarily parking in towns near Madrid while also attending community events. She said the Perkins County Fair became one of the highlights of the season.

“That was definitely the highlight of the summer and the most successful event I attended,” she said.

Doolittle said one of the biggest surprises has been the amount of community support and the number of repeat customers she has gained.

“Honestly the moments I remember are just regular customers returning time and time again, ordering their usual order,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite things.”

She said she especially enjoys the independence that comes with owning her own business, as well as the opportunity to meet people throughout the day.

“For me it’s the perfect combination of being able to work by myself and getting to interact with people all day,” Doolittle said.

This summer, Doolittle plans to focus more heavily on attending events across Nebraska while still making stops in local communities, including setting up in Grant several days this week beside Blume. She said there are currently no major expansion plans beyond adding a few new menu items, although she still hopes to someday open a permanent ice cream shop.

Doolittle also encouraged other young people to consider starting their own businesses.

“It’s a very good learning experience,” she said. “It taught me to put myself out there and do things I was scared to do. It taught me responsibility and self discipline. It taught me real life skills.”

As for her own favorite menu item, Doolittle said plain lemon custard ice cream tops the list, followed closely by a banana split.