From Family Recipe to Business Success: How Gerardo Mazariegos Built Sno King from the Ground Up

A Sweet Idea Born from Tradition

When Gerardo Mazariegos launched Sno King, a mobile sno cone stand in Odessa, Texas, he wasn’t just starting a business—he was preserving a piece of family history. The idea came on a whim, sparked by a craving and a memory.

“Growing up, my mom had this family recipe that she brought over from Mexico. We made our own syrups from actual fruit for shaved ice,” Gerardo remembered.

It was a hot Texas day when the inspiration hit. After a jiu-jitsu training session, Gerardo and his cousins stopped at a local sno cone stand. While waiting in line, someone joked about how amazing the soft ice would be with his mom’s syrups. That moment sparked a vision—and Gerardo never looked back.

Our featured image is from Odessa American Online by Jacob Ford.

Betting on Himself

That night, he dove into research. He didn’t just dream about starting a business—he acted. He began saving, even signing up for a fight to earn the extra cash he needed to get started.

“I decided to take the leap,” he told us. “I couldn’t afford not to.”

Soon after, Sno King was born, built around homemade syrups and nostalgic flavors. The business began to build a local following Odessa, and soon beyond the city. Some Sno King patrons even traveled two hours from New Mexico for the best sno cones they could find. 

Gerardo and his team leveraged social media, notably with humor and fun, to share their business and highlight unique recipes. But as winter crept in (yes, even in Odessa, Texas), so did a problem—sno cones are seasonal.

Diablitos, from Sno King Facebook page

Learning to Brew While Sleeping in a Truck

Gerardo knew if he wanted Sno King to thrive year-round, he needed to add something warm—coffee. That’s when he found Texas Coffee School. The 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class® would be a big investment, but Gerardo is no stranger to taking risks. He signed up for a class and drove to our classroom in Arlington.

“I used the last of my savings to go to Texas Coffee School, and I slept in my truck to make it work,” he said. “I just knew I had to be there.”

At Texas Coffee School, he learned not just how to make coffee—but how to launch and run a coffee business. It was exactly the education he needed. Armed with this knowledge, Gerardo returned to Odessa and expanded Sno King into a mobile café, serving both sno cones and craft coffee.

From Summer Treat to Year-Round Café

The pivot paid off. Sno King quickly became a local favorite—not just in the summer, but all year long. Coffee added a new dimension to the brand and gave Gerardo a steady stream of business through the cooler months. 

“Texas Coffee School gave me the foundation I needed. I didn’t just learn how to brew—I learned how to build a business,” he explained.

His business is a dynamic one. From agua frescas, handmade, all-natural fruit syrups to specialty menu items like El Diablito, inspired by the Mexican mangonada, Gerardo has created a brand that honors tradition while building a new future. His concept resonates with his customers.

Gerardo’s smart use of social media and his authentic voice online helped drive the business forward. He shares behind-the-scenes videos, family stories, and community shout-outs that keep fans engaged and loyal.

A Video from Sno King’s Instagram

Building a Future in the Face of Uncertainty

While Gerardo’s business journey is one of innovation and entrepreneurship, it’s also shaped by his experience as a DACA recipient. Gerardo’s parents brought him to the United States from Mexico as a young child. Living under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has added a layer of complexity and uncertainty to his life as a small business owner. But instead of slowing him down, it’s pushed him to move forward with even more purpose.

“I am here under the DACA program… it stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,” Gerardo shared. “Now DACA is being challenged in Texas, and that adds a lot of uncertainty.”

The status of Sno King’s next summer season is unclear, and the mobile business is currently paused. Yet despite the emotional weight of this challenge, Gerardo remains focused on what he can control: delivering joy and connection through his longterm business vision, and remaining resilient, adaptable, and optimistic.

He has dreams to carry his business forward and ideas to adapt his concept, including bottling his famous syrups. (And we know when Gerardo has a goal, not much gets in his way.) As an entrepreneur, he also uses his voice to advocate and to share his story. His business success has provided him a platform and a voice.

“Because of Sno King and my DACA situation, we’ve been on the cover of the Odessa American… I’ve been interviewed by one of the local news stations,” he says. “It’s helped bring visibility not just to my business, but to the journey of so many others like me.”

A Message for Dreamers and Aspiring Coffeepreneurs® 

Gerardo’s story is one of grit, creativity, business savvy, and belief. His business honors his roots in his own signature style, creating a space where community and tradition come together. His story provides hope and inspiration. 

“You have to believe in yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable. If I hadn’t taken that risk to go to Texas Coffee School, Sno King wouldn’t be where it is today.”

What started as a dream—and a homemade syrup recipe—became a business rooted in family, flavor, and fearless ambition. While the future remains uncertain, we know one thing is true: Gerardo Mazariegos is just getting started.