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ENTREPRENEURS
SUMMER 2010 l 27
What do you get when you mix a love of ice cream with a love of roller coasters?
Sweet Dream
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In May 2009 Kaluzny opened Coasters Ice Cream Parlor & Sweet Shop, a retro ‘50s ice cream and candy shop in Amherst, NY. “It started off as a business class assignment that we had to design a business plan for,” says Kaluzny. His love of roller coasters provided a name for the shop, while the idea for the parlor was one he and his wife had talked about for a long time. Kaluzny worked hard to create a template that he could use to start his business. “I wanted to do something that I could actually turn into a tangible project, not just a business plan that you spend three weeks doing and then throw out at the end,” explains Kaluzny. “I spent a lot more time doing this [class project] to really make it all work.” Kaluzny said he received a lot of help and advice from Kenneth Radig, MBA, associate professor of business. “I think I had him for about every business class that I had to take, so I developed a good relationship with him,” says Kaluzny. “To this day, we still e-mail each other and catch up.” Kaluzny warns future entrepreneurs against the mindset that their idea is good enough and they can disregard the difficult reality involved in starting their own business. His advice to those looking to start their own business: make sure they have enough cash and know how to get their name out there. “The business has to be your life and the thing you spend all your time with,” offers Kaluzny. “If you don’t, you’re not going to be open very long.” You can follow Coasters on Facebook (http://bit.ly/coastersicecream) or visit their website at http://coastersicecream.com
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By Christopher Musial ‘11 MC
You’d have to ask Keith Kaluzny ’07 who, after graduating with a degree in business management, turned his passion for both into a reality.