CCAD trustees name ice cream entrepreneur Britton as chair
Will serve a two-year term at the board’s helm
Columbus College of Art & Design announced Tuesday that local ice cream entrepreneur Jeni Britton will lead its board of trustees as chair.
Britton, founder and chief creative officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, will serve a two-year term at the board’s helm.
She’s best known for her far-out flavors, eccentric style and friendship with U.S. President Joe Biden, who shares her love of ice cream.
Jeni’s has been a Columbus staple for nearly two decades since Britton opened her first location inside the North Market in 2002. The brand has since opened dozens of scoop shops in 16 cities nationwide.
Britton also served on Biden’s Small Business Council and as a member of the Small Business for America’s Future Council.
But long before she was making artisanal ice creams, Britton got her start at CCAD. She attended the college’s Saturday Morning Art classes, which she credits as the being the impetus of her creative career.
“Jeni’s, as a company, has benefited from CCAD and its graduates and so has Columbus and the world,” Britton said. “Our city is the thriving hub of culture and commerce that it is because of generations of CCAD artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. I’m thrilled to continue to
Republicans hold almost all elected offices and where Trump beat Joe Biden, 52.5% to 45.7%. But one of Hanna’s partners thought the trip up north was too long and scrapped the idea, so the Mypillow store will open in Franklin County, where Biden beat Trump, 65% to 34%
Lindell founded the Chaska, Minnesota-company in 2009, built largely upon infomercial advertising that airs during sleeping hours. A customer service representative said a few Mypillow products are sold in Walmart and Tractor Supply Co. stores but that other retailers are “boycotting” the products. Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s, Wayfair and other retailers have dropped Mypillow products.
About 30,000 cars a day will pass by the 2,100 square-foot Clintonville storefront at 4310 N. High St., near Henderson Road. Hanna said many of those motorists don’t live in the area and would likely support the brand anyway.
Everyone appreciates a good night’s sleep, he said.
Clintonville reaction to store plans
And as a real-estate agent, Clintonville
Area Commissioner B.J. White said she appreciates the business success and drive of both Hanna and Lindell.
“I know that Mike Lindell is a recovering addict who’s pulled himself up and made a name for himself in a whirlwind business. And I can appreciate his marketing plan.”
White is not personally a fan of the Lindell pillow, however. A few years ago, she received one as a Christmas gift, carefully following the directions on how to fluff it properly before use.
“By 3 a.m., about the same time Mike Lindell’s infomercial comes on, I woke up and my pillow was flat,” she said. She has since put the pillow in a closet for use by guests.
White feels strongly that businesses should be given a chance, but also that consumers should know if the profits of those businesses support causes they may object to.
Hanna calls himself a conservative, “but not necessarily a Trump supporter.”
“I never even thought about politics when I started thinking about doing business with this company,” he said.
How Mypillow project came to be
His connection began a few years ago with a phone call to the company.
“I said, ‘Hey, would you consider franchising?’ They said ‘No, we don’t want to get into that.’ “
But they agreed to allow him to set up a limited liability company. Hanna controls 56% of the company, his four partners 44%. They have already invested about $100,000, about half of what they anticipate will be necessary to be fully operating by the end of the year.
Hanna said he just wants a fair chance to succeed. And he doesn’t think business decisions, especially boycotting or pulling products is healthy for the economy.
“All these people shouldn’t be suffering and losing business because they (opponents) are dead-set against the founder’s opinions.”
One of his partners, who declined to be named, said only “I have no political affiliation ... they’re all crooks.”
Plans for future Mypillow stores
After Clintonville, Hanna plans to open Mypillow stores in Dublin, Hilliard, Lewis Center and Reynoldsburg. The stores will sell nine of 11 Mypillow products, excluding a 2-inch mattress topper and Mypillow slippers, per Lindell’s direction.
In addition to Hanna’s store, Mypillow operates five factory outlet stores in its home state of Minnesota.
dnarciso@dispatch.com@deannarciso