Young entrepreneur Rory Dorling is aiming to make lots of people, young and old, smile this summer with his business which brings a taste of Italy to three locations in the island.

Enterprising Rory, 24, is the man behind a growing ice lolly and gelato stick venture called Stixx.

He started selling the mouthwatering goodies last year with a counter in Mooragh Park, Ramsey. Business was brisk as word spread and families have travelled miles across the island just to sample Stixx.

This was followed by a second outlet opening in the Sea Terminal.

Now hard-working Rory has launched a third island venue at Cafe Delicious at Shore Road, Port Erin.

Manxman Rory, who went to Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, said he had grown up with the world of business in the background because of his parents Anne and Gary Dorling.

He told Business News he’s always had an eye for a business project - and remembers earning some pocket money doing Punch and Judy shows as a lad.

He is also involved in the film-making world and tasted success in the Young Filmmaker of Mann competition as well as making productions of his own. But Rory explained he had been harbouring a dream of starting a new busi ness and had been looking at various ideas. He said: ’Popcorn, pizza, all these sorts of mad ideas. This one, Stixx, came along in the autumn of 2015.

’I’m really passionate about gelato. Being passionate about it was key to this.’

His business plan is that for the first three years ’we want to build the Stixx brand here in the island.’

When he was doing his research for setting up the business Rory discovered a huge trade show for gelato in Italy.

Backed by his mum Anne they decided that if they were going to be serious about building their own gelato and lolly brand they should go there.

During their fact-finding mission they went out of their way to also visit Italian gelaterias.

He returned full of ideas.

His creative girlfriend Jess, who is also a filmmaker, has also given her full support for the local business. The name Stixx was decided after a brainstorming session.

Rory said that for three solid months they worked hard on getting things ready before launching the brand to the public last year.

He told Business News: ’Everything that we required was looked into and we built up the business.’

Every aspect was examined from the custom made counters right down to the recipes.’

Rory stresses the business is not a franchise.

The ’production’ hub of Rory’s business is conducted from a room above his parents’ garage converted into a kitchen, at the family home in Douglas.

He tries to use as many local products as he can including milk from theIoM Creamery .

The outlets at the three venues are open every weekend. During TT fortnight and school holidays the plan is to be open every day.

Rory said he is delighted with the way the business has gone so far, opening three sites in as little as 11 months.

In addition he has now launched a delivery boxes service. Rory said a team of 15 seasonal staff are employed and this is boosted by himself, Jess and mum Anne.

Stixx was also at Cyclefest last weekend and there are plans to be at the food festival later this year.

Rory admits ’there is still a lot to learn about business’ but he admits this labour of love is something he wants to make a success of.

’This is just the start for Stixx. ’We’ve got different product lines we can look at and it’s all about trying to learn and be better. A case of never settling and always looking ahead.

’The first three years are about getting the brand established in the island, fine tuning everything and beyond that we’ll see what happens.’

Rory agrees his Stixx brand is bringing a taste of Italy here.

Stixx boss Rory Dorling, centre, with Pauline and Julian Garforth of Cafe Delicious on Shore Road, Port Erin