Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Czap.
Hi Matthew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Hello, I am Matthew Czap, owner of Sno Blast DMV, a family-operated, mobile snow cone and concessions trailer.
If asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would always respond, “a Father”. In 2022, after over 15 years of restaurant management, I found myself working under my potential in produce distribution, 6 days a week, 60 or more hours, never home, and always tired. Sno Blast DMV’s conception came about in response to my desire to reconnect with my children and my community. Determined to find a way to utilize my skills and connect with my family, Sno Blast DMV was the answer. With the support of family, many extra hours at work, and saving my lunch money each day for a year, Sno Blast DMV was real.
My children witnessed the commitment that was put into the creation of Sno Blast, having installed each piece of equipment alongside me, learning and developing as individuals. Seeing that respect and pride that was built and wondering how to expand our impact, our family decided our mission should be to connect and uplift our community and its members.
Sno Blast DMV offers hand-crafted snow cones, slushies, and lemonades, alongside concessions like cotton candy, popcorn, chips, sodas, and more! We vend all types of events, including community gatherings, festivals, concerts, work events, employee appreciations, school/PTA events, booster clubs/fundraisers, sports concessions, weddings, and more! It is our goal to gain exposure and opportunity for our community to experience our impact.
Creating an experience for our guests through our hospitality and quality, we hope to bring our community together, uplifting the environment, and re-instill an inviting, family atmosphere throughout the Maryland region.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In starting my own business, I have seen there are stumbling blocks to fight through each day. The biggest of them all is yourself. Taking the steps to start a business means stepping into unfamiliar territory.
While my ignorance may have caused its stumbling blocks, it can be fixed through research and determination. It is having confidence in yourself to take the next step that is the biggest struggle. Each day, I feel butterflies in my stomach and I know that we are headed in the right direction, as it is this uncomfortable feeling that shows that you are continuing to grow as an individual and as a company.
Sno Blast was formed off of dreams I often say, as I had no funding, no backing, and no investors when I started paying for licenses and scheduling the purchase of the trailer. I knew what I wanted to do, and what the steps were; it all depended on taking the first steps.
After scrambling to put funding together, laboring to build the mobile unit, and marketing our brand, the struggle is not complete. Finding our footing has been difficult, as we have fought to gain exposure through our first peak season, and we have made plenty of mistakes. Learning the industry, from booking to networking, costs, and where we can make the greatest impact, has been our main focus in lowering costly mistakes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my professional career, I have always been known for my consistency, quality, and attention to detail. Matched with determination for growth, integrity, and a strong work ethic, these characteristics are what we bring to Sno Blast DMV to not only provide an outstanding product but to provide our guests an experience to remember through our hospitality.
Our goal each day when we pull our trailer out to vend, is to bring smiles to our guests and community members. Our product, from huge snow cones to hand-spun cotton candy, tastes amazing, but it is the conversation, support, and connections our family makes with every guest that brings our community back. Sno Blast DMV’s mission is to connect and uplift our community, anywhere we go.
My goal each day is to follow through with that commitment. I am endlessly looking for exposure and opportunity to put Sno Blast DMV in a position to make a difference.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Our goal as a company is to help support reconnecting our community. By bringing our community members out we produce opportunities to create positive connections. We hope to continue to grow our services, and more Sno Blast trailers, allowing us to expand our impact throughout the DMV area. In our first year, we have reached over 6 counties; we hope to be servicing the entire DMV region over the coming years.
It is also our intention to pursue small, brick and mortar, locations throughout the community as staple locations for our communities. These locations would allow our guests to find us daily for a snow cone during the summer, or a nice coffee or hot chocolate throughout the winter time.
As we grow more comfortable in our industry, I hope to expand into alternative concessions, a winter menu for Sno Blast, and alternative concepts to expand our food service reach. I would love to offer our community a mobile dinner trailer to compliment Sno Blast’s unmatched dessert and snack options.
As we develop and grow as a company, it is our overall mission to continue to expand, connect, and uplift our community, while providing a wonderful product, and a hospitable experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.snoblastdmv.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/snoblastdmv
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087707697600&mibextid=LQQJ4d
