How I Built A $300,000-A-Day Ice Cream Empire Called Van Leeuwen

Over the past 15 years, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has grown from a single ice cream truck to a nationwide chain of scoop shops. Leading this mission was none other than the co-founder and CEO, Ben Van Leeuwen, armed with a vision to completely shake up the ice cream industry with freshness and top-notch quality.

Produced and Shot by: Lauren Shamo
Senior Managing Producer: Eric M. Clark
Supervising Producer: Jessica Leibowitz
Editor: Dennis Donovan
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Additional Camera: Tasia Jensen, Raffi Paul
Reporter: Nicolas Vega

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How I Built A $300,000-A-Day Ice Cream Empire Called Van Leeuwen

[dsdddsdwe]

Crucial Statement: Ben, Laura, and Pete paid themselves $40K a year each for the first 10 years, even after making $1 Million in revenue.
So many businesses die because founders want high salaries in the beginning. They can now potentially sell their brand for a $1 Billion.

[MoneyTalkswithMandy]

Amazing! This video is so informative and lays out a blueprint for all businesses:

1. You don't have to invent something new; improve something that already exists.
2. If you think it's a good idea, don't give up.
3. Test out different strategies; don't be afraid to pivot.
4. Your customer base is already there; if your product or service is good, they'll come around to you.
5. Don't be greedy with paying yourself over company profits; invest it back into the company and reap rewards later on.

[williamspach]

The rich are money-minded; that's a lesson I've grasped from the very beginning. My desire to build wealth has always been strong. I’ve set aside $110K since 2020, and I’m eager to invest it in the stock market to grow my financial future. I’d love to hear any recommendations you have.

[bdg]

An offer from Whole Foods on opening day? That's crazy. Awesome.

[kendi]

From Greenwich VIllage and got a Whole Foods deal on his first day? These videos are supposed to be for rags to riches people, not well connected people pretending their insider status didn't start them off at 3rd base.

[MicaelaHart]

The most awkward job interview I ever had was for the Van Leeuwan in Williamsburg. Submitted my info online and get called for an interview like normal. But I show up and it's like a cattle call audition. 100s of other college-age students, and then a group interview. Felt like a popularity contest. Truly so strange.

[omri]

He grew up in Greenwich CT- one of the wealthiest cities in the US (think retired Wall Street executives, top celebrities, etc.). He obviously comes from money and his family funded his lifestyle in NYC while he “struggled” to start his “humble” business. Their product is great, but trust-fund kids trying to make themselves seem relatable to the average person while gaslighting us making us think that “hard work” is all it takes makes many of us cringe. MONEY & FAMILY CONNECTIONS.

[saberur]

I really just want these stories to be told in a truthful way: the way they glossed over him growing up in Greenwich and being born into a well off family is wild

[jamestk]

I found Van Leeuwen ice cream last year. Since it's French ice cream, it uses more eggs so the egg shortage didn't do its price any favors. However, I still buy it.

If you read its ingredient list, it's super simple. Usually just milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and whatever flavoring for that particular ice cream. Now read the ingredient list of an ice cream at half the price and the ingredients becomes 3 times longer and would have locust bean gum, guar gum, carrageenan, dextrose, stuff processed with alkali, soy lecithin, etc. I'm sure much of that is preservatives and ways to get that ice cream to taste the way they want it, but at that point, are you really eating ice cream anymore.

[amstherd]

Love the mini story about where they ended up finally parking the truck.
Kinda a short business lesson on market pivoting and finding your customers.
Congrats!

[hrhsophiathefirst]

Good for them that earl grey may be worth the price! My husband makes an apple pie bourbon and a vanilla bean and rum ice-cream every summer. I soak the Madagascar sourced vanilla bean in domestic use vodka I used to get brought in by a Russian friend. We only make 10 pints for the entire summer with home made maple syrup glazed waffle cones. Ice cream is a big deal in our home but we haven't bought any in over 20 years! I do have a cup of Earl Grey double bergamot every day so I will give that a try!

[JadenHercules]

This was a great story. Pretty awesome (and maybe lucky) that they were approached by a rep from Whole Foods on opening day. This abousltely helped their growth, which is fantastic. If I'm ever in NY, I've gotta try this!

[JRspeaking]

I can attest, this ice cream is FANTASTIC!

[hilarylauren]

I can’t tell you how shocking it was to go from Brooklyn to visit family in Oklahoma and discover Van Leeuwan in the freezer section of Walmart, lol

[christopherhobb]

Every family has that one person who will break the family's financial struggle, I hope you become the one 😊

[cattansonyeondan]

I love their ice cream 😍 I'm so happy for them! If you haven't tried them yet, definitely go check them out. Fun fact since it's not mentioned in this video (I think) : Van Leeuwen sells non-dairy ice cream and it's AMAZING!

[diddlybop]

The first time i tried this ice cream i was hooked. The flavor and quality are there.

[lifewellnesssociety]

Moral of the lesson: I can, I will, and I must!!

[EricVasquez-rz]

Seattle person here...never heard of the brand before today!. This is an AMAZING story! .

[BenevolantBusinessBeauty]

God bless you. You've made ice cream even sweeter in my adulthood and your company's marketing is UNMATCHED! Continued success to you