Ice Cream for Bears makes supernatural premium ice cream sweetened only with raw honey. They are on a mission to make food wild again by removing processed ingredients from packaged foods while supporting the most sustainable practices in agriculture.
Tim Berg (GM ’22), founder of Ice Cream For Bears, shared more about his story and what he loves about entrepreneurship. Check out his Q&A below!
Website: http://www.icecreamforbears.com
Tell us your startup story – What is the problem you’re solving?
Poorly sourced and overly processed foods are more prevalent than ever, and one of the biggest culprits is ice cream. Today’s ice creams use ultra-pasteurized, grain-fed, factory-farmed dairy. This kind of dairy lacks nutrients, is inflammatory, causes digestive issues, harms cows, and harms the environment. To make matters worse, these ice creams are also loaded with refined sugars and syrups, which have negative health implications and are one of the primary drivers of chronic disease.
What is your solution to that problem?
Ice Cream For Bears makes packaged ice cream using ingredients that have been in humans’ diets for thousands of years – grass-fed dairy, egg yolks, and raw honey. Ice Cream For Bears is an unprocessed, indulgent, and ancestrally consistent ice cream experience that does not sacrifice the health of the consumer.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
There’s no problem without a solution. It can feel like the world is falling in on you one moment, but 99% of the time, you can have that issue solved by the end of the day. Also, there’s no prototype for a good entrepreneur – the things that make you different can make you great if you embrace them.
What do you love about entrepreneurship?
There is something very fulfilling about carving your own path and leaving your own unique stamp on the world, however small it may be. It’s an opportunity to share the things that you care about with others.
What advice would you give someone considering creating a startup or entering an entrepreneurship competition?
Good ideas will come from the things you know the best and love the most. Do as much customer discovery as you can to learn and refine your idea. Keep in mind that no one will ever know your business or vision like you do. Listen carefully, but don’t be afraid to ignore.
What activities, student groups, professors, or classes had the biggest impact on you during your time at WashU?
I went through Intro to Entrepreneurship and Hatchery with Doug Villhard, which was instrumental in the continued development of Ice Cream for Bears. The Skandalaris Center has been a wonderful resource from the beginning as well, providing mentorship, community, and opportunities for funding. However, the community of entrepreneurs has had the biggest impact on me personally. It can be a lonely journey, so developing friendships with others on parallel journeys has been great.
The winner of the Spring 2024 GIA will be announced at The Washington University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards on April 18. All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony to see which team(s) will win non-dilutive funding for their venture.