The "Three Small Scoops" Story

Three Small Scoops was started by me (Tyler Small -- the middle scoop) and supported by my wife Aya (the left scoop) and the cutest puppy known to the world, Annie (the right scoop).

After losing my job during the tech layoffs of 2022/23, I decided it was time for a change of career yet again. I've made ice cream with my family since I was very young, and over the last few months, I picked it up again, so I decided to continue it as my new full-time job.

I soon found out that I couldn't legally sell dairy ice cream without expensive equipment and licenses due to the out-of-date dairy laws in Illinois, so I began to research various products I could sell and discovered the Cottage Food Laws, updated in January of 2023.

These new laws listed a whole slew of items that I could sell from my own kitchen and it sparked the idea behind Three Small Scoops. I go out to pool halls, bars, climbing gyms, local markets, and cafes a few hours a day and sell vegan and vegetarian meals (I can't sell meat or dairy products) alongside my newly vegan "ice cream" -- which legally must be called a "frozen dessert" and several types of baked goods.

Selling direct to consumers, I'm able to share my creations with the crowds of folks at bars and public venues, hopefully brightening the night of people all around the city.