Chilling with the brand, Grande Premium Ice Cream | Episode 6

Richard started with a simple idea: protein ice cream that actually tastes good. After dozens of failed batches in his garage and help from food scientists, Grande found a recipe that balanced flavour, texture, and nutrition. Taste was always the priority, and the brand never compromised on it.

Grande’s marketing is loud, unapologetic, and often hilarious. With names like the “BBC” flavour and a tone inspired by South Park and high school roasting culture, the brand is intentionally provocative. Richard believes humour and authenticity create connection, not playing it safe.

The brand’s mascot, also named Grande, is a bright yellow yeti who represents chaos, fun, and freedom from cancel culture. The character allows the brand to be bolder and more approachable. Richard says people may forget him, but they’ll remember the yeti.

Grande uses Instagram reels, gym partnerships, and in-person activations to connect with real people. Early exposure through City Kickboxing helped build buzz, and most social content is shot freestyle with an intentionally raw feel to match the brand voice.

When buyers ignored his emails, Richard just showed up in person with free samples and a mascot head. That hustle led to Grande being stocked and reordered. His advice to founders is simple: be persistent, be bold, and don’t rely on email to sell.

Richard speaks openly about startup life. He talks about wearing every hat, dealing with rejection, managing cash flow, and learning an entirely new industry. His biggest takeaways: triple your budget, never rely on assumptions, and don’t quit your day job too soon.

Richard encourages anyone with an idea to go for it. Start small, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to stand out. At the end of the day, it’s just ice cream and if you’re not having fun with it, what’s the point?