Duringthe Roman Empire about 27 BC to 395 AD, snow was hauled from the mountaintopsto the city. Then syrup was added to the snow to make the world’s first frozendessert, the sno-ball.
ShanB. Walker, a 31-year- old native of Baton Rouge, wife and a mother of threegirls, is continuing on with the old tradition of snowballs, but with a newflavor.
Walkeris a former legal secretary of four years, who ran an office for a lawyer, butresigned from her job to own a mobile snowball stand called, “SouthernSnowballs,” in honor of Southern University.
Mostof the retail shaved ice outlets in New Orleans spell the name of their productsno-balls without the “w.” This spelling identifies the product to all NewOrleanians and indicates an ethnic heritage to the long standing tradition.
Thisspelling further separates the snowball from the chipped ice of a sno-cone.Snow spelled with the “w” created a curiosity with potential customers.
Mostpeople start businesses because of the freedom it produces, and sometimes, theprofit. As for Walker, her purpose was different, yet even more important, herapproach was for her children’s sake.
“Ididn’t have enough time for my children as a secretary. Now, since I don’t have to answer toanybody, I can come and go as I please, that way I have more time to spend withmy kids, and I can go on field trips with them too,” Walker said.
Gettingthe business started, and purchasing needed materials wasn’t the greatestchallenge for Walker.
“Ittook two years for the process, but getting certified was the most difficult,because there were so many papers I had to have for the stand,” Walkercontinued.
SouthernSnowballs was first an out-of-the-house business, but after propercertification and hard work, it reached its grounding point, and now areneighbors of Southern University’s campus. ” I feel that the snowball stand ismore convenient, and more efficient,” said Laquandalyn Smith, a senior majoringin architecture.
“Sofar, this business has been going on strong for three years. It didn’t cause ahardship as far as profit is concerned, and yes it was a drop in pay, but mykids are more important,” Walker said.
SouthernSnowballs are open nine months out of the year and is closed for the samebreaks that students are not in school. “I come to the snowball stand maybethree to four times a week, because the snowballs are very good, and you getmuch for what you pay for,” said Vinyell Flowers, a freshman majoring in physiology.
Walkerplans to open another stand within the next two years. Although this business hasits ups and downs, Walker continued on with her dream. Walker says, “I am notworried about loosing customers at any time, because good products, and goodservice will bring your customers to you.”
