From Engineer to Serial Entrepreneur: The Story of Michael Sneed

The year is . Michael Sneed, a year-old resident of Clayton, is the owner of Old Fashioned Ice Cream in downtown Selma, North Carolina. But Michael’s path to small-town ice cream entrepreneur wasn’t paved with sprinkles and waffle cones. It’s a story of resilience, adaptation, and a sprinkle of good ol’ Southern ingenuity. Buckle up, folks, because this is the story of how one man went from unemployed engineer to, dare we say it, serial entrepreneur.

The Dot-Com Bust and the Birth of an Entrepreneur

You know how they say “when one door closes, another one opens?” Well, for Michael Sneed, that door slammed shut with the force of the dot-com bubble bursting. See, Michael, armed with a shiny engineering degree, started his career at Nortel, a big-time telecom company. Life was good, the future was bright… until it wasn’t.

The dot-com crash hit like a category five hurricane, and just like that, Michael found himself facing down a pink slip. Jobless and unsure of what the future held, he did what any resourceful person would do: he picked up a small-business magazine. And that, my friends, is where the entrepreneurial spark ignited.

Flipping through the glossy pages, an idea began to take shape: appliance repair. It wasn’t exactly Silicon Valley, but Michael had always been the go-to guy for fixing leaky faucets and busted dishwashers. Why not turn his knack for tinkering into a full-fledged business?

Armed with nothing more than some hand-drawn flyers cobbled together at OfficeMax, Michael hit the streets, plastering his neighborhood with the promise of affordable appliance repair. And you know what? The phones started ringing off the hook. Sneed Appliance Services was born, and business was booming.

Sharing the Knowledge: From Apprentice to Boot Camp

Fast forward two decades, and Sneed Appliance Services was still going strong. Michael had built a solid reputation for quality work and fair prices. But this story isn’t just about fixing washing machines; it’s about a man who believes in paying it forward.

Driven by a desire to share his skills with the next generation, Michael started offering appliance repair classes. He specifically wanted to reach out to high school students, giving them a leg up in a world where knowing how to rewire a dryer is practically a superpower.

It all started with a group of young football players who became Michael’s apprentices, gathering every Sunday to learn the tricks of the trade. As word spread and more folks expressed interest, Michael knew he needed more space. He rented a building in Pine Level and christened it “Appliance Boot Camp.” And let me tell you, this wasn’t your grandma’s home economics class.

A YouTube Encounter and the Sweet Taste of Success

Now, you might think that running a successful appliance repair business and a burgeoning appliance repair school would be enough to keep one man busy. But Michael, ever the entrepreneur, had another trick up his sleeve: house flipping.

One day, a YouTuber caught wind of Michael’s house-flipping ventures and reached out, wanting to feature him in a video. Little did they know, they were about to stumble upon a story even juicier than shiplap and open floor plans.

The YouTuber was immediately drawn to the energy and community spirit of Appliance Boot Camp. They decided to film a session, and the video, much to everyone’s surprise, went viral. Suddenly, Michael’s inbox was flooded with inquiries about his classes. He needed more space, and he needed it fast. That’s when fate, disguised as a real estate listing, intervened. Two storefronts in downtown Selma, ripe for the taking. This was his chance to take Appliance Boot Camp to the next level, but what about the second storefront? Well, that’s where the ice cream comes in… but that’s a story for another time. Stay tuned!

Never Standing Still: Expanding the Entrepreneurial Horizon

With Appliance Boot Camp comfortably settled in its new digs, Michael turned his attention to that second storefront. Now, most folks might be tempted to take a breather after launching two successful businesses. But not Michael Sneed. He’s got that entrepreneurial spirit flowing through his veins like hot fudge on a sundae.

Remember, this is a man who sees opportunity where others see a “Closed” sign. So, while he was busy whipping up batches of appliance repair wizards, he also decided to try his hand at a completely different kind of recipe: homemade kettle corn. That’s right, folks, this appliance whisperer is also a popcorn connoisseur.

He started small, perfecting his recipe in his own kitchen, experimenting with different kinds of kernels and sugar blends until he found the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Word got around (because let’s face it, everyone loves a good kettle corn), and soon enough, Michael was juggling appliance repairs, boot camp sessions, and online orders for his addictive kettle corn. Is there anything this man can’t do?

A Father’s Love Inspires a New Venture: Old Fashioned Ice Cream

Now, let’s rewind back to that second storefront in downtown Selma. The one that wasn’t destined to be a kettle corn factory. This is where Michael’s story takes a turn that’s both heartwarming and inspiring. You see, Michael’s youngest son is autistic, and like any loving parent, Michael wanted to create a future where his son could thrive.

He knew that finding meaningful employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum could be a challenge, and he was determined to find a solution. That’s when the idea for Old Fashioned Ice Cream was born. Michael envisioned a classic ice cream parlor, a place filled with the sweet aroma of waffle cones and the joyful laughter of families. A place where his son could learn valuable skills, build confidence, and be a part of a supportive community.

But Michael wasn’t about to jump into the ice cream biz without doing his homework. He and his son enrolled in an ice cream-making school in Florida, because why not become a certified ice cream artisan when you’re already an appliance guru and a kettle corn king? They spent their days mastering the art of crafting creamy, delicious ice cream from scratch, experimenting with unique flavors and learning the ins and outs of running a successful shop.

And so, Old Fashioned Ice Cream, located at 124 N. Raiford St., opened its doors, becoming an instant Selma staple. It’s more than just a place to grab a scoop of your favorite flavor; it’s a testament to a father’s love, a commitment to inclusivity, and the belief that everyone deserves a chance to follow their dreams, no matter how unexpected they may be.