Teacher-Turned-Entrepreneur Alisa Pompetti Builds Success with Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s in Portland, Oregon

Alisa Pompetti's journey into franchising began when she discovered Kona Ice during her career as a school teacher and administrator in San Clemente, California. Inspired by the brand’s vibrant, family-friendly concept, Pompetti saw an opportunity to bring something unique to her hometown of Portland, Oregon. When her husband, Dana, had the chance to relocate back to Portland for his job with the railroad, she decided to take the leap. Leaving behind a career in education, she set out to launch Kona Ice in the area. Her primary goals? To show her daughters that women can excel in entrepreneurship and to create a family business that sets a positive example.

Since opening her first Kona Ice location, Pompetti has expanded into six territories, driven by her passion for the brand and its community-focused mission. However, the seasonality of Kona Ice led her to explore new avenues for growth. In August 2024, the Pompetti family launched their latest venture — Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee — introducing a coffee truck that allows them to offer service during the colder months. “Travelin’ Tom’s has allowed us to keep our staff employed year-round,” Pompetti said, “which is something I’m very proud of.”

Pompetti’s deep appreciation for the brands she owns is evident in the way she describes her business. “I was drawn to Kona Ice because of the brand, the concept and the potential to give back to the community,” she said. Her advice for aspiring franchise owners reflects this mindset: choose a franchise you genuinely love. It’s her passion for the product, coupled with a drive to succeed, that has fueled her family’s success and growth in the franchise space. For Pompetti, building a business is about more than just profits — it’s about creating opportunities, setting an example for her daughters and making a positive impact in her community.

Pompetti recently sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Alisa Pompetti: Before I became a franchise owner, I worked as a school teacher and administrator in San Clemente, California. Kona Ice was a fundraising partner at the school, and I was impressed by the concept. On my first day as an administrator, I was tasked with monitoring the Kona Ice truck after school, and I thought, “This is great! We don’t have this in Oregon.” I studied the business for two years and kept going back to the idea that this would be a great fit for my hometown.

When my husband had an opportunity to relocate back to Portland for his job with the railroad, I thought it was the perfect time to launch Kona Ice here. I decided to leave my career in education to pursue this opportunity. My goal was to show my daughters that entrepreneurship is something women can do, and I wanted them to learn how to run a business. It’s been six years now, and I still love it.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Pompetti: I didn’t know much about franchising before I got involved. I understood it as a way to buy into an established business model, but I didn’t realize the level of support that comes with it. Kona Ice offers a lot of backing from corporate, including direct access to the company president, which is rare in most franchise systems. It feels like a family business that has grown but still maintains its core values.

People often have misconceptions about franchising, thinking it’s just big corporations. In reality, we’re local small business owners who care about our communities. Kona Ice, in particular, has taught us how to run a business even though we came from different backgrounds. The support and established framework helped us learn and grow.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Pompetti: What drew me to Kona Ice initially was the branding. I had never seen anything like it. The trucks are vibrant, clean, and offer a unique experience where customers can flavor their own shaved ice. It’s different from a typical ice cream truck, which can sometimes have a negative stereotype.

As a former educator, I was especially excited about how inclusive Kona Ice’s product line is. We offer options that cater to various dietary needs — sugar-free, dye-free, soy-free, dairy-free and even kosher products. It’s important to me that every child can participate and enjoy our offerings. I felt confident bringing Kona Ice to schools and events, knowing that we could accommodate everyone.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Pompetti: With Kona Ice, we’ve been fortunate to expand into six territories, and we’re looking to take a similar approach with Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee. We launched Travelin’ Tom’s in August 2024 as a way to offer a year-round business, especially since Oregon has distinct seasons and Kona Ice is more seasonal.

Travelin’ Tom’s has allowed us to keep our staff employed year-round, which is something I’m very proud of. The coffee truck has been well received because of its quick service and quality products, which is essential in a city like Portland with a strong coffee culture. Our plan is to grow Travelin’ Tom’s the same way we did with Kona Ice — by building strong community relationships and meeting customer needs.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Pompetti: One of the key things I’ve learned is that you need to be relentless in your pursuit of success. Franchising isn’t a shortcut; there’s still a lot of hard work involved. The franchise provides a solid framework, but you have to bring your passion and determination to the table.

I’d also advise people to choose a franchise they genuinely love. I was drawn to Kona Ice because of the brand, the concept and the potential to give back to the community. If I had chosen something solely based on profit potential without a personal connection, I don’t think I would have stuck with it through the challenging times. It’s essential to be passionate about the work you’re doing and to have a bigger vision beyond just making money.

Learn more about franchising with Travelin’ Tom’s at https://www.ownacoffeetruck.com/.

About Travelin’ Toms

Founded in 2020 by Tony Lamb, the visionary behind Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck delivers a unique, mobile beverage experience to events and gatherings of all sizes. Offering a wide range of freshly made, customizable beverages—including signature Nitro Cold Brew, Caramel Frappe, hot chocolates, energy drinks, and more—Travelin' Tom's caters to coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers alike. With a commitment to quality and convenience, the franchise continues to grow rapidly, bringing caffeination inspiration and fruity refreshment to communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.travelintoms.com.

About Kona Ice

Founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice launched its first Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV) in Florence, Kentucky, offering a unique combination of cleanliness, friendliness, and a one-of-a-kind experience. Today, Kona Ice has grown to more than 1,700 mobile units that serve 49 states across the country. Kona Ice has been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 11 consecutive years, earning a spot on the Franchise 500 Hall of Fame, and most recently being named #1 in the “Frozen Desserts” and “Ice Cream” categories. In addition, Kona was named to the Franchise Business Review Top 200 list in the overall “Top 50” and “Enterprise” categories. Other accolades include being named a “Top 100 Most Innovative Franchise” by Franchise Business Review and a “Top Franchise for Veterans.” With a commitment to giving back, Kona Ice has donated over $185 million to communities nationwide. For more on Kona Ice, visit the brand’s online Newsroom and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news. For more information about booking Kona Ice for a fundraiser or event, visit www.kona-ice.com. To learn more about available franchise opportunities, visit www.ownakona.com or call (800) KONAICE.