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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Dallas, TX, United States, 08/12/2008 - Michael Showalter, of Columbus, Ohio, won the Entrepreneurial Scholarship offered by the McKelvey Foundation. His startup, Giuseppe's Italian Ice, is based on the sound business principle of delivering healthy, refreshing treats to thirsty fairgoers.
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When Michael Showalter’s parents asked him to earn money toward college; they had in mind an after-school job. But Michael started a small business, Giuseppe's Italian Ice, which quickly turned a profit. He then used his business’s success story to win the McKelvey Foundation’s $40,000 college scholarship, awarded to student entrepreneurs.
Giuseppe’s Italian Ice operates out of pop-up tents, dishing up traditional Italian Ice to tired, thirsty fairgoers at festivals and outdoor events. Showalter buys the product from Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice in New Jersey, where it’s manufactured according to a century-old family recipe.
"It's healthier than most desserts, especially stuff that you find at a festival--it doesn’t have high-fructose corn syrup," said Showalter. "Popular flavors are lemon, blue raspberry, watermelon and cherry."
His enterprise, named after his father, began a year ago with an initial investment of $14,000. He recouped those startup costs handily, and now Giuseppe’s has eight employees; friends of Showalter’s. Operating expenses included buying two tents--Showalter has invested another $20,000 to expand his market, and next year, Giuseppe’s Italian Ice will be sold in both Ohio and Michigan.
According to Dennis Moore, vice president of Little Jimmy’s, Showalter demonstrated true entrepreneurial grit, planning and executing a business that could have taken a lifetime to build, in just a matter of months.
“We have a lot of success stories," said Moore. "But Michael’s demonstrated that hard work and business smarts can really multiply success—he’s getting two educations out of his business!”
As tuitions rise and the economy slows, enterprising students can benefit from the trend toward giving among successful entrepreneurs who are feeling philanthropic as retirement approaches. Entrepreneurial scholarships can be researched on the scholarship directory site, FastWeb.com. Colleges offering entrepreneurship majors fund scholarships, as well.
Showalter graduated from high school this year, and hasn't chosen a major yet at the University of Michigan. However, he is sure he'll continue selling Giuseppe’s Italian Ice at festivals and fairs; right through college.
About Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice
Little Jimmy’s is a fruit-based Italian Ice made in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Sold on the Jersey shore for decades, the brand has slowly grown to national distribution. To learn more, look for Little Jimmy's Italian Ice online.
About the McKelvey Foundation
The Entrepreneurial Scholarship is offered by the McKelvey Foundation to high school students who start their own businesses or nonprofit agencies. The foundation's founder is Andy McKelvey, who started his own first business selling eggs at age 14, and went on to found several successful businesses, the largest of which evolved into the online employment ad giant, Monster.com. The McKelvey Foundation currently supports over 600 students achieving a better future.
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jice[.]italianice.net 
