(Editor’s Note: The third version of the Laine Business Accelerator lately awarded $5,000 to 11 enterprises looking for to launch or develop their companies. The following is a profile of a type of companies.)

OLEAN — For Angelica Porcuri, her enterprise is all about household.

In truth, the identify of her enterprise — ZET’s Entertainment — incorporates the primary letter of every of her youngsters’s names — Zayd, Enzo and Thea. The ZET Babies.

“Actually, I began my business so I can spend more time with my children,” she stated. “I make my own schedule and I just take them on the food truck, I’m able to teach them and make a living at the same time.

ZET’s Italian Ice food truck has a staple inventory of 11 varieties of Italian ice, rotating 54 different flavors — so far. Some flavors have even been created by local kids to honor their cancer battle and and raise money for them and their families. ZET’s also carry’s delicacies, such as cannoli, Italian nachos (cannoli chips and dip), mini cheesecake and Tiramisu. The dessert flavors change according to season. And, depending on the event and season, it may offer food items.

“I just started the food truck — June of this year, and it’s been doing great,” she stated. “This season has been amazing. We’ve set up at various venues in Cattaraugus, Allegany and McKean counties and the response has been very appreciative.”

She stated she hopes to proceed to develop her enterprise, however isn’t completely positive of the course, although her involvement with the Accelerator helps.

“At one point, I was going to do party rentals, products that complement those companies already doing things such as tents, but I’ve decided to go in the direction of food, for starters,” she stated.

In addition to the meals truck facet of the enterprise, Porcuri additionally runs a baking enterprise, which, she says, “is starting to pick up a lot. I have online ordering coming soon, I’ll be teaching a few decorating baking item classes at the Olean Public Library and I’m also involved in the Olean Ornamental Gingerbread Village project.”

Porcuri has been baking for quite a lot of years and has labored professionally in numerous bakeries, and plans to associate with an area restaurant to convey a few of her wares to that location.

If household is essential to her, Porcuri additionally believes in group and in supporting efforts to enhance the realm.

For instance, she is working with Magro Speech Therapy — one other Laine Business Accelerator participant — to donate a free scoop of Italian ice to youngsters who take part in that enterprise’s occasion. Additionally, she has donated Italian ice to an occasion for Operation Warm Hearts, as a result of she loves what they do for our group.

She’s donated cherry Italian ice to those that gave blood to the Red Cross in honor of Hearts for Isabella; CHD Heartraiser Event. She additionally helped increase $530 for the Wounded Warrior Project and even raffled off signed Shawn Dubin (an space native who performs for the Houston Astros) gadgets to assist the Olean Oilers increase cash for the 2024 Fourth of July fireworks.

Her inspiration to hunt to be part of the Accelerator program got here throughout one of many Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce’s Strolean occasions.

“I kept selling out of Italian ice and other products,” she stated, “and people involved in the Accelerator and The Business Development Center said that I had a great business and that participating in the Accelerator would really help me. So, I looked into it and I applied.”

Porcuri, who’s initially from New Jersey, stated one of many largest takeaways from the expertise up to now has been data.

“I’m getting a great education on how to run a business and be a great entrepreneur,” she stated. “I get to meet with like-minded people. It’s a really great group to be together with.”

Besides seeing Porcuri on her meals truck, you’ll probably encounter her fiancé, Garrett, who has been her prime supporter all through this mission to show her goals into actuality.

“I’ve roped him in and he loves it,” she stated. “Thankfully, I have my parents who watch The ZET Babies while I work if they aren’t working the food truck. I have a great support system for my business all around.”

She was aware of this space of the Southern Tier as a result of her household has owned some property in Wellsville and determined to maneuver right here completely when she was youthful. That led to a transfer by her dad and mom to Olean, the place she has established her enterprise.

In the realm due to her household. Started a enterprise to be along with her household. That theme continues in her life — and in her occupation.