By Neo Kolane
Big Belly Ice Cream has become the talk of the town and all people are heading to Lerakong Khubetsoana to have a taste of the different ice cream flavors and to witness the creativity that comes with the sweet taste.
Not only does it come with a good taste for those with a sweet tooth, but a touch of alcohol to alcohol lovers. Tśitso David Moshoeshoe – ‘Big Belly the Ice Cream Man’ – has decided that indeed, selling ice cream will change his life for the better.
As a result of seeing his customers smile each day and getting ‘hyper’ after interacting with one another, Big Belly says the interactions is the most exciting part of his job.
The 28-year old who hails from Mapoteng in Berea but resides at Khubetsoana started the ice cream business called ‘Big Belly Ice Cream’ in August 2019 and has not looked back since then.
“The name Big Belly comes from my big body size. I endured a lot of taunting and body shaming become of my huge bulk, until I embraced it and a few of my friends would call me ‘the Big Belly Man’. It took me three months to decide on the name,” Moshoeshoe narrated.
Moshoeshoe told theReporter that he has always dream of owning his own business; he even went to International Business College where he studied Business Studies which led him into the business industry.
Moshoeshoe gained experience of working with customers from his days as a bar tender at one of the leading multi-national eateries; he has also owned a carwash before.
“Everyone has been selling ice cream but the problem is that it was plain ice cream, and from my studies, I learnt that presentation is key; that’s what makes mine stand out.
“The journey has not been easy at all; at the I worked alone and decided going to events such as the Nala Market and Roma for the university intervarsity games, which both helped because the business grew a lot from that,” Moshoeshoe said
He continued to show that it was only last year that his business started to actually flourish; people began talking about it because he was consistent.
“I later decided to work with someone who would complement me in terms of creativity, someone who would be a good team mate. He goes by the name Rorisang Sebotsa.
Moshoeshoe says Sebotsa was also one person who would always help him with his laundry and he would volunteer to carry his groceries whenever he needed a help.
The bubbly ‘Big Belly’ states that his ice cream makes people get into some indescribable mood.
“Even words cannot even explain the love and support I get from Basotho,” he said.
He mentioned that Covid-19 affected many people but after the lockdown when he went back into business by putting his tables on the streets, people came in large numbers. For some weird reason, he is not on Facebook but his business is trending on all social media platforms.
Moshoeshoe says his dream is to work with people who are not able to further their studies but keen to go into business and are passionate about growing as entrepreneurs.
“It is not just about selling ice cream; it is important to engage with my customers. Every single cup of ice cream is made with love. My dream is to own an ice cream factory,” concluded Moshoeshoe, who insists that he may have ice cream cocktails but he does not sell alcohol.
