2008 Woodie Awards
Custard king shares his secrets
Ted Drewes explains inner workings of family business as part of speaker series
By: Stephanie Cunningham
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
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Ted Drewes enlightened an audience of more than 100 people Nov. 12 in the University Center Sunnen Lounge on how his famous custard stands continue to thrive.
Drewes spoke as part of the School of Business and Technology's "Success to Significance Speaker Series."
"The great thing about having a father with the same name is that you don't have to change the name of the business," said Drewes in his discussion of the original founder of his custard stands - his father.
Drewes said his father was an "independent spirit" who was born in Hannibal, Mo. He said his father had the ability to size up any situation and know who to go to and what to do about it - even if it wasn't always the best way.
"To make money, you have to have good ideas and be hungry," Drewes said.
His father started his custard business after a friend lent him $1,000 for a custard-making machine. Drewes' father and his friend had no contract or set agreement on when he could repay his friend.
However, that initial sum of money started the famous custard stands, which are now located on Grand Boulevard and Chippewa Street.
His father was able to make money because he knew what tasted good, Drewes said. With a recipe of cream, eggs, vanilla and honey, the custard concoction became a huge success. He even notes that the ingredients to his recipe are on every package of custard sold in stores.
Drewes told many anecdotes about his and his father's time in the business. He told the audience the reason why people taking the orders at the window don't write anything down is because his mother used to do curbside service and would remember all orders by memory.
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