Jeni Britton Bauer Screams for Ice Cream

By Mary Burdick

Jeni Britton Bauer might just have one of the best jobs in the world. She gets to eat ice cream everyday as chief creative officer for Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. So how did Jeni acquire such a coveted position?

Skimm’d from the Couch, a podcast founded by Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, delves deep into topics from entrepreneurship to dropping out of college with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ founder, Jeni Britton Bauer.

Jeni’s main advice on starting a business is to care and create a sense of belonging for the customers. She explained the importance of establishing an inclusive and productive environment within a company. Learning about customers’ interests and opinions, is at the heart of any good business. Other skills that are required for operating a business, Jeni explained, can be completed by specialists who are hired. 

Jeni was also asked about her experience and reasoning behind dropping out of college. She discussed how her decision was rooted in the fact that she was alone; her father had left and her mother was very sick. She also explained that it was so important for her business economically. Dropping out significantly lowered her student debts and allowed her to have enough money to start her ice cream business.

The Pandemic Loves Dunkin’

By Mary Burdick

The recent Covid-19 outbreak has put a strain on restaurants and companies all over the world. Dunkin’, however, recently estimated worth almost 9 billion, is doing better than ever before. So how has Dunkin’ been able to increase their value over the course of the pandemic?

One important step Dunkin’ took was investing in its digital business and app. This enabled smooth online ordering and contact free pickup; a key component in ensuring the safety of both workers and customers during the pandemic. Furthermore, online pickup helps customers with changing work schedules and hunger patterns satisfy their food and drink cravings late and quickly.

Also, Dunkin’ has strategically increased their sales by collaborating with TikTok star Charli D’amelio. Since her early influencer career, Charli has been an avid supporter of the company, often holding Dunkin’ coffees in her dance and vlogging videos. Dunkin’ capitalized on Charli’s love for their coffee by creating a menu item known as the Charli (An iced cold brew coffee, with whole milk, and caramel). Adding the Charli widely expands the company’s demographic, advertising and driving sales from Charli’s nearly 100 million TikTok followers’ of all ages. That’s a lot of cold brew!

Debunking Myths About Women in STEM

By Kate Burdick

Sadly, girls all over the world are buying into a series of myths that stereotype the STEM and technology industries for just men. Luckily, important women with jobs in STEM and technology have spoken out, discrediting such quotas that discourage female participation in STEM.

Rashi Khurana, the Vice President of Shutterstock( a photography company), interprets why such STEM myths exist. She believes that young women are not provided with level opportunities as young men, which is essential in establishing an initial passion for math, science, and technology. Therefore, later in life, men who have been encouraged to engage in these fields predominantly fill STEM job opportunities. Another baseless myth is that women working in STEM and tech fields are often “overly emotional.” Although gender does not define emotional maturity, many people believe so to be true, causing women to fear judgement of any expression of emotion. 

Another misconception is that one must excel at science or math to be successful in the STEM industries. However, there are other areas within the STEM fields that offer roles in which skills other than math and science are most important. By taking risks and facing insecurities, jobs can open up to everyone, not just men. Furthermore, an unconscious bias exists, classifying women as  less “tech savvy” than men. However, there is no proof or evidence that suggests that such a claim is true. Women such as Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM, and Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Youtube, certainly prove these stereotypes wrong, paving the way for women in STEM.  

Although there is a certain stigma discouraging women from working in STEM and tech, women are just as, if not more capable than men when it comes to these fields and many others.