Getting to Know Dos Ositos Paletas

During the summer of 2020, many middle and high school students were looking for ways to get out of the house. The feeling of being bored was eminent and it seemed as though there was no way to escape its threshold. However, Greenport student Brae Iglesias found a business venture to take up in order to fill the time. Based off of his sister's name Osa and his name being an anagram for bears, Brae settled on the business name Dos Ositos Paletas to sell ice popsicles. 

One of the main prides of this business is the fact that all of the flavors are made with locally grown fruits that provide a farm to table experience through small business farmers. The popsicles were an amazing business venture and he is very happy with the relations he has built with his tight knit family.

While forming a business is a tough process, you must remember that it is not about what you know, but who you know. Brae was able to create his business with the assistance of his parents. The aspect of marketing was facilitated by his mother, who works in the marketing field. His father worked to assist Brae on the more behind the scenes aspects of money and managing the flow of products. Brae is very thankful for these connections with his family and feels that if it were not for them he would not have made it this far with his popsicles.

Dos Ositos Paletas is always expanding. The machines that are used were originally on a much smaller scale and have been sized up to meet demand over time. For example, the blast freezer that was originally used has been upgraded to accommodate more popsicles and to cool them to temperature in a faster manner. The location in which these pops are produced has also changed. Brae has found himself moving from Peconic, to East Marion, to Greenport to ensure ease of work and that margins are met. 

In the future, Brae would like to get shareholders and investors into the business so that large expansions can be made, being that any expansions are currently made out of pocket.

And now to the tastiest part of the business, the popsicles. Brae’s ice pops are only produced when the fruit flavors are being grown locally, so make sure you get to a retailer on time to ensure you get your favorite flavor! Dos Ositos Paletas offers a vast variety of 14 different flavors. These include: mango kiwi, strawberry, strawberry lemon lime, lemon lime, tamarin pop, raspberry hibiscus, cucumber mint, cafe con leche, rose con leche, plum pop, peach blackberry, blackberry orange, and coconut.