Lessons Learned: 10 Years of Island Girl Shave Ice

Island Girl Shave Ice is proud to celebrate 10 years of serving Winnipeg, Manitoba with authentic Hawaiian shave ice. What started as a passion for island flavors has grown into a trusted local business known for quality, consistency, and community connection. From festivals and fundraisers to private events and catering, Island Girl Shave Ice has become a summer favorite across Winnipeg and surrounding areas.

1. There’s No Shortage of Copycats

One of the first lessons we learned is that if you’re doing something right, others will try to copy it. Over the years, many have come and gone. We chose not to let that discourage us. Instead, we kept our heads down and continued doing what we do best — focusing on quality, consistency, and our community.

Lesson: Stay in your lane. Longevity speaks louder than imitation.

2. You Can’t Be Everywhere

This one is still tough. As much as we’d love to say yes to every event, festival, and catering request, it’s just not possible. Learning to say “no” has been one of the hardest parts of growing, but it’s also necessary.

That said… we are working on ways to serve Winnipeg more Shave Ice. Stay tuned.

Lesson: Knowing your limits is part of growing sustainably.

3. Social Media Is a Must

We’ll be the first to admit — we slacked on social media at times. Running a business gets busy, and posting can fall to the bottom of the list. But we’ve learned how important it is for staying connected, sharing our story, and keeping our community engaged.

Lesson: Social media isn’t optional — it’s a key part of your business voice.

4. More Flavors Isn’t Always Better

We started with 24 flavors and learned that more choices don’t always mean better service. We’ve since refined our menu down to 20 flavors, focusing on what performs best and what we can serve efficiently.

Lesson: A curated menu creates a better customer experience.

5. Every Event Is Different

You’d think after years of events we’d know which flavors will sell best — but every event surprises us. What’s popular at one location might barely move at another.

Lesson: Flexibility is key, and no two events are ever the same.

6. Wind Is a Real Thing

From tents almost taking flight to orders literally blowing away, wind has taught us some hard lessons.

Lesson: Always plan for the elements — especially when you’re outdoors.

7. Always Scope Out Catering Locations

Backing up a trailer isn’t always easy — especially when you haven’t seen the space beforehand. While our backing-up skills have improved (and yes, we can now do it under pressure), we’ve learned the importance of scouting locations whenever possible.

Lesson: Preparation saves stress — and a lot of awkward moments.

Looking Ahead

Every lesson over the past 10 years has helped shape Island Girl Shave Ice into what it is today. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, grateful for our community, and excited for what’s next.

Here’s to learning, growing, and continuing to bring a taste of island vibes wherever we go.