Student Business Spotlight: Bro Bro’s 9

For Southern Utah University student Blake Harrison, chocolate has always been more than just a fun treat, it's a serious family matter.

Growing up, Blake and his family frequently visited California and would go to a frozen dessert shop known for its iconic chocolate-dipped treats. Every trip ended the same way: enjoying dessert, then heading back to Utah, wishing something like it existed closer to home.

"We would come back and be sad nothing like this existed in Utah," Harrison said. "We always talked about starting something like it because we loved it so much."

Then slowly that dream started becoming a reality.

"We found an old popsicle truck in St.George, and after that we were full steam ahead," said Harrison.

They converted the old truck into what they now call their "banana truck," and the Bro Bro's 9 food truck began serving frozen bananas, ice cream bars, homemade popsicles, and chocolate-covered strawberry cups all dipped in their signature imported Belgian chocolate.

Chocolate is at the heart of the brand. Despite drastic increases in chocolate prices due to fluctuating cacao bean markets, Harrison says they have never compromised on quality. Their Belgian dipping chocolate is premium and was intentionally chosen to really make the experience.

"It's part of who we are," he said. "People come back just for the chocolate itself."

Customers can customize their treats with 10 different toppings, including: peanut butter cups, Butterfinger, graham crackers, sprinkles, coconut flakes, almond bits, Oreo, toffee bits, Fruity Pebbles, or the "BG 9", a mix of all of them. Drizzle options range from marshmallow and sea salt caramel to peanut butter, Nutella, honey, and raspberry.

Since launching in 2022, the business has grown more successful year after year. Bro Bro's 9 has become a familiar presence at firework shows and farmers' markets, typically participating in two markets a week during the busy summer season, which kicks off each spring. While that growth is exciting, it also brings a fast-paced schedule that can feel chaotic and, at times, a little stressful.

That reality is part of what makes entrepreneurship both rewarding and demanding. Harrison is quick to admit that building something from the ground up requires more than just a good idea.

"Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart," he said."It really is an anytime, all-the-time type of deal," he said. "It can sometimes be more than a full-time job. If you want to be successful, you need to be available when and where the people are."

He also acknowledges the challenges of running a family business. Communication is key, especially when financial pressure is involved. The initial investment was heavy, and profitability took years of consistency and hard work.

"When it finally becomes successful, you've put in way more work than people realize," Harrison said. "Working with family can be rough, but it's also been a good project. It's challenging, but it's kept us together as a team."

At its core, Bro Bro's 9 was always about more than chocolate. The dream was to build a fun family project, something that would keep them connected and working toward a shared goal.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Harrison's advice is simple:

"Just do it. If you have an idea, put in the research and the time, and you can make it happen. Take it one step at a time and move forward with that. It takes effort and consistency, but it can be successful."

He's honest about the setbacks, too.

"We've had things that didn't work. We've had failures. But you can't expect the universe to do it for you. You have to keep going."

From a family favorite on Balboa Island to a growing Utah-based business, Bro Bro's 9 is proof that sometimes the best ideas start with a simple question: Why not try?

Tags: Entrepreneurship School of Business

Contact Information

Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu