Resident starts local business for son

BREVARD COUNTY ? Businesses like Kona Ice promote the entrepreneurial spirit, and for Brevard County resident Michael Helish, there is no shortage of it.

Mr. Helish recently purchased a Kona Ice truck in the hope that it would provide his son Alexander with meaningful employment and a decent wage. Alexander has cerebral palsy, so working with the Kona Ice truck is an opportunity that he can work towards.

"[Alexander] is 22 now, he graduated when he was 18 from special education," Mr. Helish said. "I'm teaching him Quick-Books and how to do payables. He comes with us just about every day and helps us clean the flavorwave; he puts the ice in the shaver - he helps when we're busy and doing [other] things."

Mr. Helish has three children: Alexander and Nicholas, who help with the business at home, and Sara, an interior designer in Indianapolis.

In his 64 years, Mr. Helish has had a plethora of experience in establishing entrepreneurial businesses, so partnering with Kona Ice for Alexander was an easy choice.

"I started to do this because, when I'm gone, hopefully, I would have set the business up to where he can have something and take it over," Mr. Helish said. "He's limited, but he's very intelligent."

Not only does Mr. Helish'sKona Ice truck benefit his son, but it also helps the community. Proceeds from the truck help support local Brevard charities, including at-need schools.

"Basically, we offer 20-percent of our sales," Mr. Helish said. "If the school has an event, like a football game, they can buy from us there."

Mr. Helish also explained that Kona Ice has a national business plan that includes going to schools once a month to sell Kona Ice products.

"I'm having a really good time, and it's really a good thing for Alex," Mr. Helish added. "I think it's his calling."

For more information, call (321) 271-5393.