Paramedic’s ‘Stress-Relief’ Ice Cream Truck Becomes a Six-Figure Business

James Shemmeld, a 46-year-old private paramedic, has mastered the art of the career “pivot.” After facing the intense mental toll of the COVID-19 pandemic through his ambulance company, RTC Medical Solutions, Shemmeld found a “magical” escape by returning to his roots in the ice cream business.

What began as a way to preserve his mental health has grown into a fleet of four trucks under the name Alex’s Ices, proving that sometimes, the best remedy for a high-stress career is a bit of community nostalgia.

From Tragedy to “Treats”

During the peak of the pandemic, Shemmeld was visiting patients at home, only to find many had passed away just weeks later. “It got to the point where I realized that my mental health was being affected quite severely,” he told the BBC. His solution? He bought an ice cream van—a move that initially shocked his wife but ultimately saved his spirit.

A Legacy on Wheels

This wasn't a random choice. Shemmeld had worked for an ice cream man in his youth, and in a cinematic twist, that same man eventually gifted him his Ford Transit van to carry on the legacy. Shemmeld had even designed the original artwork for that very van years prior.

The Business of Joy

Today, Shemmeld’s dual life is as profitable as it is fulfilling:

The Earnings: He generates an average of £60,000 (~$81,000) annually from the ice cream business, which complements the £200,000 (~$270,000) earned by his private ambulance firm.
The Mission: Despite the high revenue, he still sells cones for just £1, noting that for him, the work isn't about the money—it's about the “magic” of the music and the engagement with customers.
The Evolution: While the ice cream business is now his primary focus, he still performs international medical rescues “as and when.”

The “Hybrid” Paramedic

Even when he’s playing the chimes, Shemmeld is never truly off-duty. He keeps a defibrillator in the back of his ice cream van and has frequently had to park the truck to assist in real-life medical emergencies. He notes that the two jobs are surprisingly similar: “You drive down the street, you make a noise, and everyone runs towards you.”

Tips for “Hybrid” Entrepreneurs

James Shemmeld’s story offers a unique blueprint for those looking to balance a high-stakes career with a passion project:

Trust Your Roots: Sometimes the thing that made you happy as a teenager is exactly what you need as an adult.
Purpose Over Profit: By keeping prices low (£1), Shemmeld maintains the “joy” of the job, which prevents it from feeling like another high-pressure obligation.
Always Be Prepared: Your professional skills (like medical training) are part of who you are; find ways to let them coexist with your new venture rather than trying to shut them off.

James Shemmeld has created the ultimate “feel-good” business model. Whether he’s saving a life or serving a £1 cone, he’s providing a vital service to his community—and in the process, he found a way to save himself.