# Kona Ice: Tony Lamb

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-11-06
- Length: 1h 13m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb

## Summary

Tony Lamb, founder of Kona Ice, explains how he leveraged his background as a vacuum cleaner salesman to build a franchise empire of 1,500 shaved ice trucks across North America. He details the design of the custom 'Flavorwave' dispensing system and the tropical-themed trucks, which were fabricated in Elkhart, Indiana, to create a superior customer experience compared to traditional ice cream vendors. Lamb discusses the strategic decision to franchise with low barriers to entry, offering financing through partner Ed Reynolds to attract operators during the 2008 financial crisis. The company has since expanded into a mobile coffee concept called Traveling Toms, adapting its successful mobile model to new markets.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=0) Introduction: Tony Lamb and Kona Ice
- [4:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=294) Tony's Sales Background and Rainbow Vacuums
- [24:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=1443) The Origin Story: Bad Ice Cream Truck Experience
- [37:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=2223) Designing the Custom Truck and Flavorwave
- [52:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=3169) Franchising Strategy and Financing Model
- [1:07:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=4049) Pivoting During COVID and Curbside Kona
- [1:09:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-06-kona-ice-tony-lamb#t=4189) Launching Traveling Toms Coffee Business

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kona Ice (product)
- Rainbow (company)
- Flavorwave (product)
- Traveling Toms (product)
- Elkhart (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Hannah Pollack of Nightingale Ice Cream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-10-founder-feature-hannah-pollack-of-nightingale-ice-cream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Bonus Episode: Khalil Khamis of Crafty Ramen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-02-bonus-episode-khalil-khamis-of-crafty-ramen) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Frozen One, Alan Chen & Conner Mennig](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-07-25-founder-fundraising-journey-frozen-one-alan-chen-conner-mennig) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [017: Healthy Instant Noodles & Cutting-Edge Vending Machines with Damien Lee of Mr. Lee's Noodles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-09-06-017-healthy-instant-noodles-cutting-edge-vending-machines-with-damien-lee-of-mr) (Product Startup)
- [Founders Feature: Lucy Dana of One Trick Pony](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-21-founders-feature-lucy-dana-of-one-trick-pony) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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