Rising Stars: Meet Timothy Roney

Hi Timothy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Someone I know suggested I should start a cotton candy business. He told me that he had researched cotton candy and knew it would be a great selling item. There have been several events I’ve been to where I have had the longest line with the most customers so I think he really did his research. As to the suggestion of selling cotton candy, initially, I said ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ Just out of curiosity, though, I looked at a few machines online and came across the machine I use at my business now. It intrigued me enough that I bought it and started Capital City Cotton Candy.One thing I noticed was that there didn’t seem to be many, if any, cotton candy businesses in the area geared toward kids. So I have tried to make the business as kid-friendly as possible. A lot of other cotton candy businesses in the area are oriented more toward adults, trying to pair their cotton candy flavors with things like alcohol.

Many of my customers can devour a big fluffy stick of my cotton candy and not have to worry about what it’s going to do to their teeth because a new set of teeth will be available to them in the very near future. Kids can be very funny. It’s worth it sometimes just to see their reaction when they are handed a cotton candy that’s twice the size of their head. Also, they say funny things and do funny things. For example, they don’t care if they get cotton candy all over their face and someone takes a picture. An adult would never let someone take a picture of them with food all their face. We tend to become more self conscious as we grow older.We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

The main struggle has been dealing with Covid. Even things shut down in 2020 I managed to make back my investment. I don’t think I will actually be profitable until 2022. Most if my profits so far have gone back into the business.
The other struggle has been finding places to set up and sell. But there have been people who have helped along the way. A guy who owns an empanada food truck let me use the electricity from his truck and set up with him several times. As things open up there will be more opportunities.Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do the cotton candy part-time. I’ve worked a variety of sales jobs to make a living. I have always tried to utilize my communication skills in any endeavor I undertake. I like to think I have a flair for writing. I studied English at a semi-ivy league university.

I think I have been able to utilize my writing skills to some extent in this business. I have a website; I have a Facebook page. I have a logo. If I don’t create it on my own, I’m offering some suggestions and signing off on the end result. I think I have a little Steve Jobs in me. I have some vision and if I need help, I do my best to find the right person to do the work. Sometimes it just means saying, ‘I don’t know exactly I want, but I trust that you can do a good job with this.’

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Anything that’s worthwhile is worth working hard to achieve.

Contact Info: