Business and a Brew
Welcome to Business and a Brew – the podcast where real conversations about business happen over a good drink. Hosted by Danielle and Simon, this show brings together two friends with years of shared experiences, lessons learned, and plenty of stories to tell.
We’re here to explore the highs, lows, and in-betweens of business, from awkward challenges to unexpected victories. No topic is off the table – if it’s part of the entrepreneurial journey, we’re talking about it. Whether you’re looking for relatable advice, fresh perspectives, or just a laugh, you’ll find it here.
Think of us as your business buddies, chatting over coffee (or something stronger), keeping it real and keeping you entertained. So, grab your brew of choice, tune in, and let’s get talking. Cheers!
Business and a Brew
How Well Do You Know The Sugar Sweet Hippies That Are Ben And Jerry?
We explore the fascinating story behind Ben & Jerry's, diving into how two friends with dreams of pottery and medicine unexpectedly became ice cream legends. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield originally planned to open a bagel shop, but a $5 ice cream-making course set them on a new path. In 1978, they opened their first shop, experimenting with a variety of foods before narrowing their focus to ice cream by 1979.
Ben's anosmia (the inability to smell) shaped the brand's signature style of intensely flavoured, chunky creations, as he relied on texture and bold flavours to make each bite memorable. Not all their ideas were hits - rum raisin, anyone? - but their willingness to innovate and their dedication to ethical practices built a brand that stands for more than just premium desserts.
From supporting social justice initiatives to refusing to compromise on quality or cater to mass-market trends, Ben & Jerry’s became a symbol of values-driven success.
Join us as we uncover how these sugar-sweet hippies turned a $5 course and a passion for doing good into a globally beloved ice cream empire.
About Simon and Danielle:
Simon and Danielle are both business owners, based in the East Midlands, who met through mutual business contacts and who share a love of all things business.
Simon runs Skylight Media – Award-winning experts in Website Design, E-commerce & Marketing running since 2003.
Danielle runs Goldspun Support – a multi-faceted support service for fractional directors and small business owners across the globe, running since 2009.
Since they first met Simon and Danielle have spent a ridiculous amount of time talking about the subjects that interest them – usually over a drink in the pub – and they decided that now was the time to bring these conversations to a wider audience and invite them to join the chat.
Both Simon and Danielle are successful business owners in their own rights with big plans for the future but will never lose their love of talking all things business… and the pub.