Brian Troupe’s first plan for selling ice cream to boaters did not work: customers were not coming to the pier-side stand. The 15-year-old changed the sales channel, taking the treats directly to people on the water. Entrepreneur reports that Troupe’s Treats then recorded nearly $6,000 in gross sales in 2025 and more than $25,000 during the 2026 season—not profit.
Why Troupe moved from the pier to the water
Troupe opened Troupe’s Treats at the end of a pier on Maryland’s Bohemia River in July 2025, when he was 15. His premise was that boaters might want ice cream but not have a freezer aboard. The pier location drew few customers, so he bought a small jon boat with savings and began selling directly to boaters.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Entrepreneur’s October 1, 2026 profile says the jon boat cost about $700, with roughly $120 more spent on bumpers and other equipment. Those purchases helped him bring the product to the customers rather than wait for them to come ashore. The profile does not provide a full startup-cost accounting.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What the reported sales figures show
Entrepreneur reports the following seasonal figures. They are gross sales as described in the profile; it does not provide audited accounts, expenses, or net profit.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Mixing paddle makes frozen treats in 20 minutes or less (freezer bowl must be pre-frozen).
- COOL FEATURE: Double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice.
- CAPACITY: This ice cream maker can produce up to 1.5 quarts of your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- EASY TO USE: Ice cream machine features an easy-lock transparent lid with large spout to make adding ingredients simple and mess free.
- LIMITED 3-YEAR WARRANTY: The BPA-free Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine comes with a limited 3-year warranty.
| Season | Reported weekend sales | Reported season total | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | About $800 on an average weekend; more than $1,200 on the best weekend | Nearly $6,000 gross sales | After the pier-side start failed, Troupe sold from a small jon boat. Items were $2. |
| 2026 | About $1,800 on an average weekend; more than $2,100 on the best weekend | More than $25,000 gross sales | He added premium bars at $3, bought a larger freezer, and used a Sea-Doo Switch to visit four locations across multiple rivers. |
These numbers describe sales, not take-home earnings. The profile does not establish the cost of inventory, equipment, fuel, or other expenses, so it cannot show how much profit the business made.
How he adapted the business as it grew
More products and room to store them
For the 2026 season, Troupe added premium ice cream bars, including Magnum and Klondike, priced at $3, alongside the $2 items. He also bought a larger freezer. The account connects the expansion to a broader operation, but does not state the freezer’s model, capacity, or power requirements.
Rank #2
- DOUBLE-INSULATED FREEZER BOWL: Holds 2 qts of ice cream, yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, or frozen drinks (pre-freeze first).
- SUPERIOR FUNCTIONALITY: The brushed stainless steel ice cream machine features a fully automatic heavy-duty motor to make frozen desserts or drinks in under 30 minutes.
- MUST-HAVE FEATURES: Large ingredient spout for easily adding favorite mix-ins, including retractable cord storage that keeps countertops clutter-free.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Frozen yogurt machine comes with a double-insulated freezer bowl that holds up to 2 quarts of frozen dessert, and paddle.
- LIMITED 3-YEAR WARRANTY: The BPA-free Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine ICE30BCP1 comes with a limited 3-year warranty.
Access to more selling locations
Troupe moved to a Sea-Doo Switch, which the profile says let him visit four locations across multiple rivers. It does not identify the exact configuration or provide specifications, so the story supports the point that he expanded his reach, not a comparison of particular watercraft.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
A safer, more workable handoff
Selling between two moving or bobbing boats made a simple exchange awkward: both people were balancing, while ice cream, cash, or cards could be dropped into the water. Troupe used a long-handled fishing net about a foot and a half wide to pass as many as six items and receive payment. He described the interaction this way: “Imagine trying to give somebody an ice cream with waves crashing, and you’re sitting here trying to balance on a boat, and you’ve got another person trying to balance on a boat while not dropping money or credit cards into the water. It becomes a comical scene.”
Rank #3
- HOMEMADE ICE CREAM: Enjoy a fun ice cream experience with modern convenience with our ice cream machines. Make ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato, or choose your favorite flavor and make a unique and delicious creation.
- NOSTALGIA ICE CREAM KITS: Our ice cream machines for home pair perfectly with all Nostalgia ice cream kits. Try the vanilla crème, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream mix or the premium starter kit, which is excellent for a party or snack time.
- QUICK AND EASY: Make homemade ice cream in 20 minutes. The powerful electric motor does all the churning and work for you. There is no more intensive stirring or manual effort, and the motor locks into place to keep all parts secure.
- CONVENIENT HANDLE: Take the gelato maker to parties or the neighbor's house. It has a carrying handle attached to the bucket, making it easy to move no matter where it needs to go.
- NOSTALGIA: From designs inspired by early 20th century America to the timeless appeal of our appliances, we offer unique, novel, and fun products for the family. We preserve the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future.
Small details that helped the customer experience
When he sometimes ran short of $1 bills for change after adding $3 products, Troupe carried $2 bills. The profile says some younger customers found them memorable. He also put “I’m in a pickle” stickers beside sold-out items and kept a jar of pickles as a joking substitute; customers with dogs could get free pup cups.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The business lesson behind the pivot
The story is less about a single sales tactic than responding to evidence from the business. A pier location was not bringing buyers, so Troupe changed where he sold. As demand grew, new problems emerged around handoffs, change, storage, and reaching more locations. His summary: “Growth isn’t more customers,” he says. “Growth is finding out what fails when you have more customers.”
Rank #4
- Effortless Ice Cream in Minutes: Say goodbye to the hassle of manual churning and hello to the convenience of this ice cream maker. With our powerful electric ice cream maker machine, you’ll have up to 4 quarts of rich, creamy ice cream ready in no time. Whether you're craving a classic treat or a soft serve indulgence, this ice cream maker machine takes the work out of the process, leaving you with delicious, homemade ice cream in minutes-perfect for family fun or last-minute gatherings.
- Endless Frozen Dessert Possibilities: Why settle for one flavor when you can make it all? This homemade ice cream maker opens up a world of frozen dessert options. From indulgent gelato made with the gelato maker feature to smooth frozen yogurt, this ice cream machine lets you enjoy a wide variety of frozen treats right in your own kitchen. Forget overpriced store-bought options-create unique, creamy desserts exactly how you like them, every time.
- Fun for Kids and Family: Want to turn dessert into a fun, family bonding experience? This ice cream maker for kids is the answer! The soft serve ice cream maker is safe, simple, and designed for young hands, so your kids can make their own delicious ice cream in no time. Whether it’s a birthday, a playdate, or just a fun afternoon, this old-fashioned ice cream adds excitement to the process of creating soft-serve treats, making it the perfect way to engage kids and make family time even sweeter.
- Classic Design Meets Modern Convenience: Love the vintage charm of an old-fashioned ice cream maker but hate the old-school effort? This vintage wooden style ice cream machine combines nostalgic appeal with modern efficiency. Powered by an electric ice cream maker, it makes rich, creamy soft serve or traditional ice cream without the tedious labor. Get the best of both worlds-timeless design and hassle-free operation, so you can enjoy delicious homemade ice cream in no time.
He recalled the failed start this way: “It went the worst it could have,” Troupe says. “Luckily for me, I didn’t let that stop me. I looked at it as, This is a problem. Where is a solution? Once that solution was found, it was smooth sailing, no pun intended, from there.”
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBiographical details, quotes, equipment information, and sales figures in this account are attributed to Amanda Breen’s Entrepreneur profile, edited by Jessica Thomas and published October 1, 2026: Entrepreneur. The profile does not include independent verification or business accounts.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 7-IN-1 ICE CREAM MAKER -- A FROZEN TREAT FOR EVERY CRAVING: Choose from 7 one-touch programs -- Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice Cream, and Mix-In --each delivering the perfect combination of speed, pressure, and time for soft, creamy results.
- CREAMIFY TECHNOLOGY -- INCREDIBLY SMOOTH, CREAMY RESULTS: Ninja's exclusive Creamify Technology finely shaves through a uniformly frozen pint, transforming it into smooth textured frozen desserts in minutes.
- MAKE IT YOUR WAY -- TOTAL INGREDIENT CONTROL: Create protein-packed ice cream, low-sugar sorbet, dairy-free treats, and vegan options -- all from scratch with ingredients you choose. No preservatives, no fillers, just the flavors you love.
- MIX-INS -- BUILD YOUR PERFECT PINT: After processing, mix in your favorite mix-ins – chocolate chips, candy, nuts, fruit, cookies, and more -- to customize every scoop. The Mix-In program distributes add-ins evenly throughout your frozen treat.
- THREE STEPS TO YOUR PERFECT FROZEN TREAT: Prep your base, freeze for 24 hours, and process in minutes. The Re-spin function lets you process a second time for an even softer, creamier texture -- no guesswork.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
