Origin Story

• Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started out in a gas station in Vermont
• Has been around since 1978
• $5 course to actually learn how to make ice cream, and a $12,000 investment to open up shop

Education

• United World College - an international college program with multiple schools across the globe
• Focuses on social action and responsibility

Ethical Beliefs

• Values-based business
• Cares about well being of people
• Pays employees a livable wage; historically has been paying starting workers double the min. wage
• Leads by example

Solheim's Vision

• B-Corporation
• Community Action programs through Ben & Jerry's

"We see ourselves as a social justice company, that also makes the world's best ice cream."

Ben & Jerry's Foundation

• Established in 1985
• Mission: To engage Ben & Jerry's employees in philanthropy and social change work; to give back to our Vermont communities; and to support grassroots activism and community organizing for social and environmental justice around the country
• Donates $1.8 mil to nonprofits across Vermont

Interesting Facts

• Favorite flavor: Chunky Monkey
• Became CEO on April Fools Day
• Compensated pay is confidential; last known pay was $504k

Company Success

• Mantra: "Change is a wonderful thing"
• Believes business success comes from empowered employees
• Nearly tripled revenue and added hundreds of jobs to Ben & Jerry's
• B Corp score is double the national average

Biblical Integration

• Philippians 4:9 - "Whatever you have learned or received or seen in me - put into practice."
• I Corinthians 11:1 - "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ"

References

B Magazine. (2016, December 13). Jostein Solheim on Ben & Jerry's Leadership Journey. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Oyyif0Kxw

"Ben & Jerry's Foundation | Support Grassroots Activism and Community Organizing for Social Justice." Ben & Jerry's Foundation | Support Grassroots Activism and Community Organizing for Social Justice. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

“Ben and Jerry’s Foundation- discover the networks.” Ben and Jerry’s Foundation – Discover the Networks. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.

Division President: Jostein Solheim, Ben & Jerry's Homemade. (2011, January 26). Retrieved from Food Processing: http://www.foodprocessing.com/ceo/jostein-solheim/

Edwards, J. (2011). “Occupy wall street: Why ben & jerry’s endorsement rings hollow.” CBN News. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.

“How we’re structured | Ben & Jerry’s” Http://www.benjerry.com. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

“Jostein Solheim.” Conscious Capitalism. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.

Newell, A. (2013). “Ben & Jerry’s: A conversation with CEO Jostein Solheim and founder Jerry Greenfield.” Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit. Web. 27 Feb, 2017.

Reader, G., Clifford, C., Grossmann, R., & Leadem, R. “Ben & Jerry’s franchise information.” Entrepreneur. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.