Starting a business took Jeremy Demarzo on the ride of his life. In 2014 he pedaled around Reno, serving ice cream on his bike. From there his mobile creamery grew to brick and mortar business serving a mix of ice cream and deli sandwiches at Icecycle Creamery and Pedaler's Deli.

Demarzo fulfilled his dream of sharing his delicious creations.

"The reason why I opened Icecycle Creamery was to fill a void in Reno that we didn't have. Unique ice cream, like the type of ice cream that I make that's all natural using real ingredients." said Demarzo.

He ended up expanding his business ventures and opened another ice cream shop called Black Rock Dessert. However, he faced many challenges because it opened in 2020.

"It was challenging guiding our way through what was going on with COVID and everything, trying to keep open one business while building on another without any answers on anything with how the world is going to shape with all this." said the owner of the ice cream shops.

Many people thought things would get better in 2021, however,  Demarzo and many other businesses faced another wave of challenges, finding people to work. Demarzo said they're not getting a lot of applicants and when they do, many don't show up for a scheduled interview.

He added, "To try and survive this we cut our hours tremendously at Black Rock Dessert. I have two people that are solid to run that place and even then it's starting to be too much for them."

Demarzo is also working overtime to keep things running, but between both businesses and being a single father he said he's feeling burnt out.

"It just doesn't really leave me open with for any free time for myself and I get it I opened a business and took on that responsibility but I also, you know, opened a business with the intentions of having staff and paying and taking care of people to work for me and you know be here at the times that I can't be here." he said "I'm just so beat down and everything has become so difficult. I just don't even know if it's worth it anymore you know. If we don't find more employees, per my mental health I'm going to shut both of these businesses down."

Demarzo said in order to raise hourly wages, and compete with big box stores he'd have to raise prices for food and other items his shop sells. He said he pays employees what he can afford and they are able to earn extra with tips. He hopes to hire at least four to five people to help run either of the shops.

To learn more about Black Rock Dessert click here.

For more information on Pedaler's Deli and Icecycle Creamery you can click here.

Contact information is provided on the website. Interested applicants can reach out to both businesses.

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