Smitten Ice Cream: Serving Joy

By Garth Saloner, Jim Ellis, Jeffrey Conn
2018 | Case No. E663 | Length 17 pgs.
This case examines the founding story California ice cream chain Smitten Ice Cream and CEO and Founder Robyn Sue Fisher, who invented a liquid nitrogen-fueled ice cream machine which mixes the world’s smoothest ice cream. Students will be confronted with numerous common entrepreneurial issues including prototyping, dealing with failure, discovering product-market fit, hiring, financing, and scaling organizations.

Learning Objective

Students will discuss the skills and perseverance required by Fisher in her quest to develop a disruptive, innovative product and ultimately build a lasting, successful business. Teaching goals include dealing with operational complexity, brainstorming innovative growth strategies, and the interplay between growth and financing decisions.
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