Ice sculpture business owners are typically adept at sculpting, from clear ice, figures for weddings, parties and other social events. Their finished work might include animals, logos, abstract shapes—anything requested. There’s also a market for creating larger-scale sculptures for winter outdoor events. The business owner might be a sole proprietor or could employ others, including salespeople, other sculptors and support staff to load and deliver ice figures and help operate the business.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.
Northwest ($29 + State Fees)
DIY: How to Start an LLC
Start an ice sculpture business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Ice Sculpture Business
- Form your Ice Sculpture Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Ice Sculpture Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Ice Sculpture Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Ice Sculpture Business
- Get Ice Sculpture Business Insurance
- Define your Ice Sculpture Business Brand
- Create your Ice Sculpture Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your ice sculpture business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Ice Sculpture Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening an ice sculpture business?
Ice sculpting is not an inexpensive endeavor. Here are some of the principal investments you’ll need to make.
- Ice trailer for transporting ice blocks in and finished products out. A 4’ x 8’ freezer trailer can cost $12,000-$14,000. Alternatively, a refrigerated van can be rented for a day for $150. If most of your business comes in during the cold winter months or your commissions are all very close to your studio, you might be able to avoid or minimize this cost.
- Ice-carving tools and equipment including chisels, ice tongs, chippers, chainsaws, hoists, ice-moving equipment and block-making machinery can run thousands of dollars.
- At the customer location you’ll need display trays, lighting, and meltwater drainage containers to literally put your sculpture in its best light for several hours.
- Most ice sculpting businesses today use CNC machines for computer-aided carving and mass production, and your most leading-edge competitors use robotic carvers. A CNC machine can cost $50,000 new.
The good news is that a lot of your startup necessities can be found used, online. Start by comparing prices at such sites as Icecrafters and IceSculptingTools.com. The startup costs can make starting this type of business challenging, but it is not impossible.
What are the ongoing expenses for an ice sculpture business?
You’ll have payroll expenses for support staff and possibly the day-rental costs of your refrigerated trailer or van, and of course the rental of your production facility or studio. You’ll regularly have to pay your utilities and fuel and maintenance for your delivery vehicles. And you might have to buy ice blocks if you’re not making your own and maintain large machinery and periodically replace hand tools.
Who is the target market?
Your best customers are people hosting weddings, anniversary or birthday parties and other high-end celebrations. If your company can attract the attention of end users directly, it will save on commissions.
Another category of customers are companies that provide services for such big-ticket celebrations, such as restaurateurs, event and party planners and caterers.
How does an ice sculpture business make money?
The business makes money by selling ice sculptures at a set price, which is determined by labor, size, and intricacy of the project.
How much can you charge customers?
One sculptor stated online that he typically prices his work at $500 per 300-pound block of ice used. Another stated that the company offers sculptures for as much as $1,200, but that an average was about $275 to $500. You might also provide smaller carvings and even custom ice cubes for less. But there are many variables, including the size of the carving, the intricacy of the work, distance of delivery and others.
Keep in mind that, in addition to your time and skill sculpting, you must invest significantly in sculpting tools and equipment, display equipment, delivery and installation help and possibly the lease or purchase of a small refrigerated delivery truck or van. So don’t undersell yourself.
How much profit can an ice sculpture business make?
Scott Rella became the first American to start an ice sculpting business in 1982. Before that, sculpting was just a sideline of select restaurants, hotels, caterers and culinary arts institutes. By the following year, he was clearing $1.5 million in annual profits.
That’s not to say that his experience is anywhere near typical. Back then, he had no competitors and he was based in New York City. You can maximize your profit potential by finding a location with few competitors, promoting your business with savvy and putting out memorable work.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Consider adding to your payroll an experienced ice sculptor who already has a book of business and prefers the security of working for someone else. Explore the possibility of expanding into other areas. For instance, if you only do weddings and parties, look into the profit potential of winter outdoor events near you. And if there’s enough interest in your area, consider teaching ice sculpting classes.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your ice sculpture business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your ice sculpture business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an ice sculpture business. In particular, a seller’s permit must be obtained. A seller’s permit allows states to record and collect taxes from goods (and sometimes service) sales.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Service Agreement
Ice sculpture businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your ice sculpture business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Labor Safety Requirements
It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. This is particularly relevant as workers will be operating dangerous machinery and tools like chainsaws.
Certificate of Occupancy
Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to your business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Ice Sculpture Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Ice Sculpture Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market an ice sculpture business
Your website will be an integral part of your ongoing marketing efforts. It should contain striking examples of the work you’ve created, both up-close and in context to the event. If you’re just getting started and don’t yet have paying customers, shoot the best work that you created in class or while self-learning.
How to keep customers coming back
Word of mouth and the showcasing of your work is critical. You’ll also need to establish excellent working relationships with the wedding planners, caterers and other business referral sources.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Many owners of such businesses are artistically inclined, skilled sculptors or graduates of ice-sculpting classes. They should be able to work quickly (before the ice block melts) and fulfill the design intent of the client.
Many ice sculpture businesses today use CNC machines for computer-aided carving and more are getting into robotic carving. With these technologies, even individuals with less artistic ability can get into the business. However, using these technologies can become very expensive.
Whichever approach you take, you should be a good salesperson to develop business relationships with caterers, restaurateurs, wedding planners and other prospective customers and influencers.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at an ice sculpture business?
Here’s how you’re likely to spend your typical day.
- Developing and nurturing relationships with clients
- Sculpting ice commissions
- Overseeing the sculpting work of others if you have employees or freelancers
- Arranging for the delivery of the finished product
- Promoting your business through word of mouth, media stories, paid advertising, your website, signage and other means
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful ice sculpture business?
The ice sculpting business is at the confluence of creative endeavor, technology and sales ability. If you can do it all, (or can hire the skills you lack) you can succeed here. It’s also valuable to have an instinct for self-promotion. A particularly interesting assignment or unusual sculpture can be newsworthy since it might make a striking image online or in print media.
You should also have a good camera and the ability to take professional-quality photographs to send to the media and upload to the portfolio section of your website.
If you have employees or regularly work with freelance sculptors, your strong interpersonal communications skills will be of value.
What is the growth potential for an ice sculpture business?
Time and sales volume are your only limitations. If you get enough business that you feel confident to bring on another sculptor, you can increase production further. Also, the more different markets you serve the more business you’ll bring in.
Since ice sculptures are novelty items at premium prices, you can assume that your business might do best during strong economic times.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
How and when to build a team
Your business might be highly cyclical. For instance, the spring is wedding season. If you specialize in outdoor placements, that’s likely to only happen in the winter. So don’t mistake a flurry of business for the need to add employees. Go through a few business cycles first so that you know real business growth when you see it.
Even when you do identify a real need, consider freelance talent first. You’ll only hire them after you’ve already struck a deal for the business—so you’ll know you can afford them.
When you see an ice sculpture you love, note who carved it and keep the name in mind when you’re ready to expand.
As for support help for loading and delivering, consider hiring seasonal help until you get confident that you’ll have enough year-round business to continuously meet payroll.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
Real World Examples
- US Ice Corp, a southeast Michigan based ice carving company
- Elegant Ice Creations Inc.
- History of business and contemporary examples