How I Built This with Guy Raz

Ben & Jerry's: Ben Cohen And Jerry Greenfield (2017)

Mar 23, 2020

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the dynamic co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, share the whimsical journey of launching their iconic ice cream brand in Vermont. They discuss their innovative, quirky flavors that stood out in a crowded market and the transformative impact of a Time magazine feature that catapulted them to fame. The duo also candidly talks about navigating challenges from bigger competitors while remaining committed to their social mission, blending personal passion with a corporate identity that values community engagement.

56:29

Episode guests

Jerry Greenfield

Ben Cohen

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

From Friends to Ice Cream Entrepreneurs

19min

The Sweet Beginnings of Ice Cream Dreams

7min

The Impact of Recognition and the Challenges of Competition

5min

Scoops of Struggle and Success

19min

The Sweet Scoop: Luck, Legacy, and Flavor Origins

4min

Reviving a Family Legacy: The Zipper Repair Journey

7min

In the mid-1970s two childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield decided to open an ice cream shop in Burlington, Vermont. Their quirky little shop packaged and sold unusual flavors like Honey Coffee, Mocha Walnut, and Mint with Oreo Cookies. In 1981, the regional brand spread across the country after Time magazine called it the "best ice cream in America." Today, Ben & Jerry's is one of the top selling ice cream brands in the world. And, like the original founders, the company doesn't shy away from speaking out on social issues. PLUS for our postscript "How You Built That," we check back with Clay McCabe of Zipper Rescue, a repair kit that helps people fix their broken zippers at home. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.