17-year-old still in high school opens his own brick-and-mortar ice cream shop after first business failed

a’Ron Burns is the founder of Roll-N-Sweetz, a brick-and-mortar ice cream shop in North Omaha. His shop serves ice cream and sweets and hopes to inspire people who want to be business owners. It was opened in June this year.

Roll-N-Sweetz is a subsidiary of the Burns Family LLC, of which a’Ron is the president. The teen launched his business with the support of his mother, mentors, and investors. According to him, a startup like his was lacking in “our communities.”

“We are not just for ice cream, but also to be a place for people to come and feel safe at. I think a safe place in North Omaha was bound. It was needed because in our streets, in our communities, we really don’t have it,” a’Ron told WLBT.

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, a’Ron noted that his dream was to pursue a career in criminal justice. He believes entrepreneurship is the solution to creating jobs and finding peace and comfort.

“With entrepreneurship, I can provide jobs, I can provide peace, I can provide comfort. And with ice cream, it’s also an emotional support food. So, it also would help me connect to people who are going through things I might not know, but the ice cream might help,” said a’Ron.

The 17-year-old is still in high school but still finds time to pitch to investors. In his junior year, he usually went to the student parking lot to make calls to potential investors. His mother Alexis Burns said her son has gotten this far because of determination and perseverance.

“He’s always been determined. And when he’s determined to do something, I allow him to do it even if he has to make mistake or if he has to bump his head on if it doesn’t work out. I still allow my kids to do what they want to do,” said Alexis Burns.

Among other investors, Alexis Burns is also a big investor in Roll-N-Sweetz.

“Me investing and contributing and actually showing him, ‘Hey I’m quitting my job, I’m cashing in on my 401k, I’m giving this my all. Because this is a dream that you want. And I believe in you. I’m gonna trust you to do the right thing,’” said a’Ron’s mom.

Starting an ice cream shop is not the first business venture of the 17-year-old. He first started with an e-commerce platform but it did not go as he had wished.

“I took that, the count of failing and the embarrassment and I grabbed it all together, and it aligned me to the path of opening Roll-N-Sweetz,” said a’Ron.