Small Business as a Platform for Change: Adventures of an Ice Cream Startup
 
Ben and Erica are co-owners of Earnest Ice Cream, creating small batch artisanal ice cream for Vancouverites. Earnest Ice Cream started in June 2012, with the two of them peddling their frozen treats to farmers markets throughout the city. The business has now grown to a scoop shop on Fraser, nine employees, and wholesale accounts throughout the city. Ben and Erica will share their story of starting Earnest Ice Cream and the challenges and lessons learned through launching a values-based small business.

Did you enjoy this free video?
Please donate to help keep this project going.

In a previous life, Erica worked in advertising in Toronto before returning to her first passion — food and hospitality. She completed the Culinary Arts program at George Brown College and worked in some of Toronto’s best restaurants before making the move to Vancouver. She has since been involved in the local food and beverage scene, ranging from top restaurants to food security nonprofits. Ben never thought of himself as an entrepreneur until he ended up immigrating to Canada from Western Washington. He’s been a bicycle courier, upcycling coordinator, radio journalist and always an ice cream lover. earnesticecream.com