Snoballs, community and Marvel superheroes are among the passions shared by Jamal and Jamari Sharp. So when the twin brothers decided to start a business in Florida in 2021, they made sure to combine all three.
This Spring, the brothers will expand that business — BAM! Snoballs — to Charlotte with the introduction of a snoball truck. Jamal, an alum of Florida A&M University, said the business has been a success in Florida.
With Jamari already living in Charlotte and the twins looking to expand their business, they decided, “Hey, why not?”
Getting started
BAM stands for “by all means.” Jamal used to work in a snoball shop and said he always wanted to open one of his own. So when the twins graduated, they did just that in their hometown of Pensacola, Florida.
BAM! Snoballs was established in 2021 when the twins were just 22 years old. The twins said they did not have a mentor who was a business owner and learned about things like permits and hiring employees through trial and error.
They initially opened in a brick-and-mortar. Because of their young age, many people thought the business belonged to their parents.
Expanding to Charlotte
Jamari, who served in the Air Force, said he wanted three things after being stationed in Las Vegas: to be back on the East Coast, living in the South, and in a major city. It helped that Jamal has lived in the Queen City since attending UNC Charlotte.
Jamal cited factors such as Charlotte’s growth potential and culture that made it the “perfect opportunity” for expansion. “It was a no-brainer to come here,” he said. The city is booming.”
The twins plan to have their grand opening on March 22. “We’re going to have all the bells and whistles,” Jamari said of the event. “That’s what BAM will be: locked and loaded.”
Shortly after the grand opening, BAM! Snoballs will participate in Charlotte SHOUT! as one of several other food trucks that will serve festival attendees.
BAM! Snoballs’ menu is superhero-themed with flavors like “Black Panther,” “Iron Man,” and “Incredible Hulk.” All are stuffed with ice cream.
Jamari said that upon the move to Charlotte, the business will introduce new snoball flavors like the “704” and a “49er” snoball.
“Spiderman” and “BAM!” are among customer favorites. Jamari said his favorite flavor is “Captain America,” while Jamal favors is “Orchid Vanilla.”
Jamari described BAM! Snoballs as “family and community” oriented. “Everything we do is in alignment with the youth because we see them as the future,” Jamari said, adding that BAM! Snoballs will go to neighborhoods, schools and parties to give out free snoballs to kids.
Jamal noted efforts such as back-to-school drives, Christmas drives, and turkey drives, in addition to giving annual scholarships to BAM! Snoball employees who are either in college or planning to go to college. Jamari said that while Pensacola remains close to their hearts — they still have their original business there — they mean to bring their passion for community to other cities as they expand.
“We didn’t have certain mentors growing up, so we’d like to serve as mentors to those who may see us in them,” Jamari said.
