Young entrepreneur provides shaved ice to Eastern Shore

CENTREVILLE — Christian Miller and his family took a leap of faith when he turned 18 and joined the Kona Ice franchise, a mobile shaved ice business. But soon he began serving throughout the Eastern Shore.

Miller said he had always wanted to be part of the food industry, but after graduating high school and choosing not to go to college, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t until his mother, Maggie Miller, learned of Kona Ice and encouraged him to look into it that he considered the idea.

“I always had a passion for cooking, and I always wanted to start a food truck or some type of food business,” Christian Miller said. “My mother had found out about it, actually, at an event she was at, and she saw this and told me about it and said, ‘This is the next big thing.’ Just looking at the truck was almost overwhelming. She said, ‘This is something you have to get into.’”

Three years later, Christian Miller owns three mobile shaved ice vehicles and has become a staple in the community.

Maggie Miller said the trucks have become a family business, and everyone pitches in to support Christian in accomplishing his dreams. However, in the beginning, many people were surprised by Christian’s choice of career and would have never thought that it would have been as successful as it has become, she said.

“My husband laughed at him. Now, three trucks later, he’s no longer laughing,” Maggie Miller said. “He thought it was a fleeting thought, and it wasn’t. And when I told Christian about it, it really struck a chord. He was so excited by it. And I think it was just one of those feelings you have when all the stars align, and everything comes together.”

Christian Miller is excited to announce that he has purchased a fourth truck to serve coffee, hot teas, hot chocolates, lemonades and over 200 beverage options to the community during the upcoming winter months, when people are less inclined to want shaved ice.

The truck will be called Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck.

Along with his success, Christian Miller said he is proud to use his business to support different organizations and nonprofits in the area. His company gives back 20% of the sales whenever it is asked to attend an event for a nonprofit.

The business has been used to help raise funds for different little leagues, schools and churches.

Maggie Miller said her son’s community work extends beyond nonprofit events. He offers free shaved ice to police officers in uniform, EMTs and firefighters.

More than anything, Christian Miller said he is just happy that he was able to start a business on the Eastern Shore. His trucks serve Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, Talbot and Caroline counties.

“That’s what I love, just giving back to the community,” Christian Miller said. “The Eastern Shore is my home, and I’ve always wanted to stay here. I love it so much, and it’s great that I can give back to my community at the exact same time.”