Cha ge i career is ot so crazy for Dave

Some times you meet a guy whose view on life is like a music video.

He just got up one day, ditched the tie, walked away from the office — and bought an ice cream van. Such a guy is Dave Young. However, he’s not a footloose lad having a laugh, he’s a level-headed, happily married dad-of-two who wanted to have his own business and do something he actually really likes.

“I worked at a bank for six years before this,” said Dave, 28, from Newport.

“And the difference is crazy. You turn out the chimes and people come out with smiles on their faces.

“I’d always wanted my own business and it was my wife, Clare, who suggested getting an ice cream van.

“I did the research, spoke to some manufacturers, looked at vans for sale all over England — and this one popped up in Carnoustie.

“I did my Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene at the Virtual College on-line and also spoke to Environmental Health. They were really helpful.

“They gave the van and equipment a thorough check before issuing the necessary certificates and off I went.

“I was able to pretty much decide on my own route.

“The main thing is to avoid an area where someone else is operating. And that’s not because of any sort of 1980s style ice cream wars. It’s common courtesy.

“Naturally, you have to stop somewhere safe, where you’re not going to block traffic.

“I’ve started my own route in Dundee. It’s going really well. People say they can’t remember the last time there was an ice cream van down their way.”

Naturally, anyone in the food business is only as good as their wares. So quality is important and, once you start getting notice, business will go up.

“I was at the fun day in Stobswell the other day having been invited some weeks earlier, same with the one in Coldside.

“And I was invited along to a primary school so the children could celebrate a school amalgamation with a cone,” added Dave.

“It’s busy and you have to put in the hours but I love it. People are always happy to see me and it beats working in an office.

“It’s important to do your research, know the products and know your market.

“For instance, hardly any vans do soft ice cream but I do. And people like it.”

‘People coke out with skiles ol their faces’ — Dave Youlg.