Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops’ Strategic & Aggressive Pivot During Pandemic

The Delaware Small Business Development Center has been working closely with Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops since 2017. The small business was created from a place of love and health for families. Shortly after Mr. and Mrs. Jackson’s daughter was born, a family member was diagnosed with cancer. It was out of this crisis that as a family they became committed to creating something healthy not just for their family, but for all families and communities. They then created Summer J. Pops, Delaware’s first All Natural Artisan Ice Pop company.

Their gourmet ice pops are made with the best all-natural, organic, and locally sourced (when they can) ingredients. They use lots of delicious fresh fruit, 100% organic and fair trade cane sugar and nothing artificial.

Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops was hit hard by the pandemic, as they are dependent on a healthy, thriving ecosystem of restaurants and events to get their product out. During the pandemic there wasn’t much the small business could do other than promote t-shirts and try to re-invent new ways to make income. To help others and provide financial ease for themselves as well, for every t-shirt purchased, they donated $5.00 to BeeBee Health Care. They also successfully created a new product called “Mommy Pops” that are mildly alcohol infused to bring a little taste of summer into adult’s homes.

They began to offer free delivery of 12 pack ice pops to all customers in Sussex County, and a small fee to those a bit farther away. This no contact delivery and contactless payment was a safe and effective way of getting out orders during tough times.

They were able to aggressively and strategically prosper by diligently working through the hospitals and medical centers. They are currently in partnership with Palative Medical to provide their all natural ice pops throughout Delaware. Owner, Queon Jackson, has distributed approximately 2,000 ice pops to staff in Smyrna, Dover, Rehoboth, Lewis, and New Castle. He works with a lot of youth in this distribution effort in an attempt to expose them to the world of entrepreneurship.

Queon has pivoted his business and is doing more deliveries to increase revenue during these times. Although his network with the Medical industry is strong, he lost a lot of business during the summer from numerous farmer’s markets he had to pull back from due to COVID-19.

In December 2020, Queon heard back from Delaware Small Business and received aid to assist him in sustaining his business.

“I would like to personally and professionally thank Ms. Audrey Scott-Hynson. She has been a mentor and a friend to small businesses like Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops LLC. Her advocacy to change “what is” into “what should be” defines her unparalleled commitment to small and minority owned businesses,” says Queon.

Queon is focusing on innovation, and is considering getting a mobile unit as well as a freezer to use for storing his ice pops. He is also working on possibly developing another stream of revenue centered around healthy eating.