Ah’Yanna’s Italian Ice

Nov 13, 2023

(From left to right) Ah”Yanna Jackson, Roberta Jackson, and Annaca Jackson stand posing with one another in front of Ah’Yanna’s Italian Ice trailer.

Around Brunswick County and its surrounding areas, young entrepreneur, junior Ah’Yanna Jackson, over the past several years, has had her own small business in a continuous uphill climb.

Who she is: Jackson is a junior currently involved in the varsity basketball team and band as the standing drum major. On top of her school involvement, she is running her thriving Italian Ice business, with the help of her parents and various other family members.

How it’s changed: When Jackson’s company had just started, in the summer of 2021, she only had eight coolers. As of early 2022, Jackson has expanded into a trailer and is currently in the process of purchasing a second one.

Events: Owning an Italian Ice business serves as a free ticket into many large-scale events, and it’s no different for Jackson. With her business consistently growing Jackson is always being invited to events to scoop her ice, such as concerts, festivals, and birthday parties.

“Having this business has brought so much attention that I thought I would never receive,” said Jackson. “It’s been such a blessing on my life to be invited to concerts, parties, and workshops all while meeting thousands of amazing people, like celebrities and even random strangers that I never thought could be a blessing in my life.”

School: As you can imagine, owning a business while also attending a public high school is a challenging feat, but that’s just what Jackson does.

“Working and running a business with school is difficult,” said Jackson. “But it’s helped me learn how to manage my time better and taught me a lot about managing my money and other adult responsibilities that most teenagers don’t think about.”

As Jackson’s busiest season comes to an end, she tends to reflect on the good and the bad; despite all the negative, she remembers the real reason she does this.

“I do this to show our generation of kids that they don’t have to work a regular nine to five like most people,” said Jackson. “That they can actually go out and start something on their own, and most importantly, something that they enjoy doing,”

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About the Contributor

Hannah Underwood, Staff Writer

Hannah Underwood is a 16 year old junior and is in her second semester of journalism. Underwood was born in Wilmington, North Carolina but grew up in Ocean Isle Beach. In her free time, Underwood participates in many extra curricular activities like sports and clubs. “Right now I am the junior class president,” said Underwood. “I do wrestling and theater, both of which the majority of my time is spent.” Underwood lives with her two sisters and also has two dogs. In her free time she likes to read and hang out with her friends. She has big plans for the future, including going to a four year university to pursue a career in biology. “I plan on going to NC State,” said Underwood. “ and majoring in biology.” Her interest in joining the West Wind sparked because of the nice environment that the class has, she is also familiar with the teacher Anna Saunders who she is very fond of. Underwood also has interest in enhancing her writing skills while she is in the class. “I’ve always been interested in writing,” said Underwood. “And I love Mrs. Saunders, I’ve had her in the past and she is a good teacher.”