Chase Anderson, a North Philadelphia resident who is only 8 years old, is arguably the region’s youngest entrepreneur thanks to his newly found success in the water ice industry.
After a sweltering day of walking home from school, Anderson who was a six-year-old at the time, had his epiphany. He requested some water ice from his mother, according to ABC 7, and thought about beginning his own business as he was returning home. Two years later, the “Da Cooler Boyz” was created.
Today, the young entrepreneur is offering some of his neighborhood’s coolest treats.
“It kept him up at night, all he talked about,” his mother, Breonna, shared. “So after playing around with mixes and flavors, the next thing I know he’s setting up and selling water ice outside. I support him in everything he does.”
Chase’s water ice business has active clients from all over the family’s neighborhood, thanks to support from his mother and his brother, Sebastian. “It makes me feel so good to give people water ice. I love it. It’s kind of my thing,” he said.
The family’s commitment to the company has reaped many benefits. They have already reserved almost 800 events for 2023 at venues like schools, summer camps, parades, and food drives.
They not only promote the business in their neighborhood but also directly contribute to youth activities. For the upcoming 2023–24 academic school year, Da Cooler Boyz will organize a back-to-school drive, according to a post shared on Instagram.
Along with treats, students will receive free school supplies. Additionally, available to register kids for the school year are tutors, coaches, and daycares.
They wrote on their Instagram page “We are now accepting donations and sponsors. Our goal is to give away 800 book bags or more to children throughout the city of Philadelphia. We will also be giving away uniform vouchers to take the burden off of some parents/ guardians.”
