Ice Cream That Will Change Your Life - Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (Full Episode)
Channel: Startup to Storefront
Date: 29/03/2022

If you were born before a certain point in time, hearing about a Good Humour ice cream truck might conjure up nostalgic memories of a carefree summer. Younger generations might be more familiar with Good Humour products found in the freezer section of grocery stores all over the country. This is the story of how a single ice cream truck grew into a chain with national distribution, but it is not the Good Humour story. Our guest today is Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder of Van Leeuwen ice cream. Ben’s first experience with ice cream came from working in one of those Good Humour ice cream trucks, and his tale parallels theirs in many ways. He eventually branched off and created his own ice cream, selling it out of a truck on the streets of New York City before expanding into storefronts and grocery chains nationwide.

But in order to get the full story you’ll have to listen in as we cover everything from why his vision for the company was massive from the get-go, the importance of mentorship, and why making good ice cream isn’t rocket science.

#entrepreneurship #businessinterview #podcast #podcasts #losangeles #icecream #vanleeuwen #veganicecream #icecreamstorytime

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🍦 Van Leeuwen Social Media:
Website: https://vanleeuwenicecream.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanleeuwenicecream/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanleeuwenicecream/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanleeuwen
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanleeuwenicecream

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🎙️ Startup to Storefront Social Media: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startuptostorefront/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startuptostorefront
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-to-storefront/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/startuptostore
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67EyhF5DGLPucswOrS7LhK?si=IUPguzApRm6nnhlIHUBJxQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/startup-to-storefront/id1477095646 
Website: https://www.startuptostorefront.com/

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😎 Our Team:
Diego Torres-Palma: https://www.instagram.com/diego_ventures/
Nick Conrad: https://www.instagram.com/nickgconrad/
Natalya Cappellini: https://www.instagram.com/natalya_curato/
Lexi Jameson: https://www.instagram.com/lexijamesonyt/
Owen Cappellini: https://www.instagram.com/owencapp/

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🎵 Our Music:
https://www.instagram.com/doubletouchofficial/

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⏱️  Timecodes:
00:00 Intro to Episode with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
1:06 About Beckon Ice Cream
1:28 Natalya Cappellini is a super fan of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream 
1:54 What made you want to start an ice cream company?
2:21 Why the ice cream truck model is nearly impossible
3:23 The biggest challenge with ice cream trucks
5:26 How long were you in R&D?
6:41 Were the first batches of ice cream any good?
9:21 How do you adapt to what the customer wants?
10:35 Did you bootstrap Van Leeuwen?
11:37 If you were doing it all again, would you build a store, or create the trucks?
13:43 What does it mean to you to be a mentor?
16:47 How many stores do you have today?
16:52 What is the hardest part about opening a store?
18:54 Has Uber Eats changed your business?
19:51 Is the next step more stores?
20:43 What grocery stores can you find Van Leeuwen?
21:35 How difficult is the supply chain for ice cream?
22:29 Why are trucking costs so expensive?
22:59 How has the pandemic changed your businesses?
24:37 Are you in the cookie business?
25:57 What's next for Van Leeuwen?
26:37 Do you have any other crazy flavors in mind?
28:54 Backpacking across Europe
30:07 What is your favorite flavor?
30:23 What was your worst flavor?
31:42 The best flavors that don't sell
32:08 How do you make vegan ice cream?
32:58 Was shelf life a challenge?
33:31 Make sure to check out Van Leeuwen Ice Cream!