How an Ice Cream Truck Turned Into a Frozen Treat Empire [Video]

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream was born from an ice cream truck in New York City and has rapidly transformed from a humble truck into a household name based on its principles of using simple and high-quality ingredients. In this episode, co-founder and CEO Ben Van Leeuwen talked about his journey, revealing the grit, passion, and perseverance behind his remarkable success.

Founder’s Background

Ben’s love of food was nurtured in a unique childhood. Born in 1984, the youngest of four siblings, he came from a family that prioritized home-cooked meals cooked from scratch. His parents, each enriched with their similar yet different cultural milestones, instilled a respect for whole, unprocessed foods. Ben’s father was a serial entrepreneur whose influence laid the groundwork for his business-minded approach, and his mother’s commitment to scratch cooking instilled in him a taste for high-quality ingredients.

Related: How This CEO Revitalized a 75-Year-Old Ice Cream Brand

Ben’s entrepreneurial spirit started to emerge in …