MERIDIAN, Idaho — Sage Hull had big aspirations before she even hit junior high.
"It was probably 4th or 5th grade that she started saying, 'Mom, I want to own my own business.' And at that time it was a bakery. She wanted to do some baking," said Sugar Wagon co-owner Briana Hull.
Last year, at only 16-years-old, Sage learned about the many shaved ice shacks spread around the Treasure Valley and thought it was a good idea.
"I was like, 'What if we just start one and make it big enough to go into something, I guess, bigger,'" questioned Sugar Wagon co-owner Sage Hull.
Sage was so serious she actually arranged a pitch meeting with her parents.
"She put pen to paper, she was very detailed, she pitched us, and I said ok," said Briana.
Next on the list was raising the funds to start a business.
"I gave her a dollar amount, and I said, 'This is what you need to work towards if you want to do this' and not only did she meet that, she did one and a half times that amount. She saved everything, everything. We couldn't be more proud," said Briana.
"I've always kind of been a hoarder for money, to be honest. I always save it until I absolutely want something," Sage explained.
"She says that's her favorite hobby. She likes to hoard her money. Never lose that," Briana said.
Fast forward to May 2021 when Sage and Briana revved up the Sugar Wagon, a food truck serving up different varieties of shaved ice, ice cream, and other sweet treats, for the first time.
But, just like most food businesses, there was a trial and error period.
"We started with pretzels and corndogs as well and nachos and my cookies," said Sage.
"She's a really good baker," added Briana.
Even though those items went downhill, their popularity went the other direction, and they're booking different events and venues regularly.
But they're getting much more out of it than just new customers.
"As a mom, to have a teenager that wants to spend this much time with me, I'm blessed. I'm blessed," said Briana.
Though the mobile business and its creator are both incredibly young, the Sugar Wagon is certain to satisfy the sweet tooth cravings of every and any age.
"We are proud of what we're serving and we always say that if it doesn't look good or it doesn't taste good, it doesn't go out the window. And so for me, that's really important, and we do have our favorite tag line of that we serve, you can do that. Happiness in a cup. We do. We serve happiness in a cup," said both mother and daughter.
To see where Sugar Wagon will be next, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
