# Live From The HIBT Summit: Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-02-27
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams

## Summary

Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, discusses the evolution of her Columbus, Ohio-based company from a 2002 farmer's market stall to a national brand with nearly 40 scoop shops and Whole Foods distribution. She explains her decision to shift from a 'wannabe artist' aesthetic to a clean, pharmacist-like look to better communicate the quality of her product, and details her rigorous, relationship-driven sourcing of dairy and fruit. Bauer emphasizes that her success stems from years of 'boots on the ground' learning in ice cream chemistry and math, rejecting early growth in favor of perfecting recipes that exclude egg yolks, stabilizers, and corn syrup.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=0) Introduction: Jeni Britton Bauer and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
- [2:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=143) Redefining Authenticity and Brand Aesthetic
- [6:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=364) Product Perfection and Ingredient Sourcing
- [8:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=491) Pricing, Passion, and Team Culture
- [9:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=597) The Necessity of Time and Slow Growth
- [12:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=723) Growth, Quality Control, and Supply Chain
- [14:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-02-27-live-from-the-hibt-summit-jeni-britton-bauer-of-jenis-splendid-ice-creams#t=868) Community Support and Columbus, Ohio

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Ben and Jerry's (company)
- Baskin Robbins (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Sierra Nevada brewing company (company)
- Subpop (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Hannah Pollack of Nightingale Ice Cream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-10-founder-feature-hannah-pollack-of-nightingale-ice-cream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Liv Truesdell of FROST Buttercream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-12-12-founder-feature-liv-truesdell-of-frost-buttercream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Sam Lejfer of Lucky Day](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-07-25-founder-feature-sam-lejfer-of-lucky-day) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Dip Into Paradise with Founder Emily Edwards](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-03-01-dip-into-paradise-with-founder-emily-edwards) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Jenifer Shwartz of Freezcake](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-03-28-founder-feature-jenifer-shwartz-of-freezcake) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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