Jeremy and Kaitlyn Carlson
Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in places beyond a missionary’s home can often provide eye-opening experiences for that missionary. Jeremy Carlson could say getting used to the culture of the Czech Republic wasn’t always easy, but one thing is certain: having trdelnik was something he frequently gravitated toward.
Trdelnik is a soft cinnamon-and-sugar covered cylinder usually filled with fruit or custard or sometimes ice cream.
- One night, Jeremy found himself dreaming about the treat. He wasn’t eating it, he was selling it — in America. When the dream didn’t disappear the next morning, he decided when his mission was over he’d see if he could make it come true.
- When he first returned stateside, after enrolling in college at BYU-Idaho, Jeremy talked his aunt into letting him use her kitchen so he could try and replicate the trdelnik recipe. When he got close, but not quite close enough, he returned to the Czech Republic to further perfect the product.
- In 2018, satisfied he had the right ingredients, he purchased a large canopy tent along with ovens to grill the pastry dough and opened his version of the Czech roadside trdelnik stands — in Rexburg, Idaho.
- He called the business Crispy Cones.[1]
Jeremy persisted in making his dream reality while he transferred to Utah State University to complete his business degree and used social media to promote his product. He also married his Instagram influencer, Kaitlyn Sims, in 2020.
Their little company soon grew into two brick-and-mortar stores in Logan, Utah, and Rexburg, Idaho.
The difference between their venture and others’ attempts to market the foreign treat, is because Jeremy and Kait used the pastry as the foundation for the world’s tastiest ice cream cone. They also obtained backing on television’s “Shark Tank.” Their franchise locations continue to expand.[2]
Jeremy grew up as a military brat, living in over 8 different states/countries. Jeremy and Kaitlyn met at the beginning of Crispy Cones' journey when he hired her to work for him as their social media manager. Kaitlyn is from Star Valley, Wyoming and graduated from BYU-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. While in college, she ran a successful wedding photography business for 6 years.
The couple quickly became best friends which led to marriage in December of 2020. The Carlson's currently reside in Saint Anthony, Idaho with their daughter, Maci and their dog, Penny.[3]
