How I Built This with Guy Raz Dippin' Dots: Curt Jones
Sep 9, 2019
Curt Jones, the visionary founder of Dippin' Dots, shares the sweet yet turbulent story behind his revolutionary ice cream brand. He recounts his leap from a stable job to creating colorful, flash-frozen treats, igniting a craze at fairs and stadiums. Jones reflects on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including the struggles with debt and a painful bankruptcy. He also touches upon the innovative marketing strategies that transformed Dippin' Dots into a household name, and what he learned from pivoting to new ventures post-Dippin' Dots.
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Homemade Ice Cream Passion
- Curt Jones had a passion for making homemade ice cream, even before Dippin' Dots.
- He frequently made ice cream with family and friends, using both hand-crank and electric makers.
Initial Idea
- Curt Jones's initial idea wasn't to reinvent ice cream, but to improve his homemade ice cream's texture.
- He experimented with dry ice before considering liquid nitrogen.
First Experiment
- Curt Jones first tested liquid nitrogen with ice cream base, bringing a sample to his lab.
- He and a friend tried the frozen beads immediately, burning their mouths due to the extreme cold.