If you’re looking for an optimum time to do something difficult, it’s easy to find excuses to procrastinate. ls there ever “a good time” to quit smoking? Is there ever “a good time” to start working out? The answer is, of course, it’s always a good time, and it’s never a good time.
It’s the same with starting a business. There’s never really a good time to start a business. The common wisdom is, life happens. Don’t let it get in the way of the opportunity you see in front of you.
Rhonda Dahlquist, her Creamery Coaster ice cream business is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and proof of the (slightly adjusted) old adage, when life gives you lemons, make ice cream
Rhonda Dalquist found her way to selling ice cream after a series of life altering disruptions. Her husband lost a leg, and they sold their veterinary practice. She spent time caring for her parents through terminal cancer and her mother-in-law through a stroke.
Rhonda came out on the other side of it with entrepreneurial spirit intact and an idea for a business that would satisfy her love of ice cream, nostalgia and people. In April 2024, she launched Creamery Coaster — a mobile ice cream service. The concept hearkens to a time when her mom sold homemade freeze-pops for a nickel.
Creamery Coaster sells ice cream cones, chocolate dipped cones, ice cream cups, sorbet, cookies, push-pops and more. And like her mother did it, the push-pops are homemade.
Rhonda sells the treats out of a bicycle cart named Magnolia.
Donna Wilson, combining insurance-covered traditional medical procedures and alternative approaches in her Occupational & Integrative Medicine practice
About 10 years into running a massage therapy business, Donna Wilson went back to school. She was looking for something that could balance with her home life. Donna kept on the nursing path and became a nurse practitioner. When the opportunity came up to buy an occupational medicine practice, she jumped on it.
in June 2024, Donna launched her own clinic, Occupational & Integrative Medicine. The practice is unique in that it offers essentially two lines of health services — conventional medical treatment like check-ups and lab work and “integrative” treatment like nutrition coaching and hydration therapy.
Donna sees about 12-18 patients a day with a staff of three.
Rhonda Dahlquist, Donna Wilson, Christiaan Mader, Out to Lunch at Tsunami Sushi
Out to Lunch Acadiana was recorded live over lunch at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette. Photos by Astor Morgan.
Christiaan Mader, Audio engineer Dylan Babineaux, Researcher Lea Urdiales preparing for today’s show at Tsunami Sushi
