Josh Hochschuler
Josh Hochschuler is the founder of Talenti Gelato, the best-selling gelato brand in America. A Boston University alumnus, he turned his love of Argentinian gelato into a business that was acquired by Unilever in 2014.
Josh Hochschuler's Bio
Josh Hochschuler grew up in Dallas, Texas, where his father encouraged him to start his own business. After graduating from Boston University's Questrom School of Business in 1995, he moved to Argentina and worked at Bank of Boston, becoming bilingual and managing the bank's Argentina operations.
In 2001, Hochschuler returned to the United States. At 28, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship, inspired by the gelato shops of Buenos Aires. He raised $600,000 and opened the first Talenti gelateria in Dallas in 2003. After closing the storefront in 2004, he pivoted to wholesale distribution and apprenticed with his Argentine partner to learn traditional gelato-making techniques.
In 2007, he brought in investors Steve Gill and Eddie Phillips, who provided $1 million. The 2008 financial crisis hit hard, but by 2009 Hochschuler secured a breakthrough Publix account that catapulted Talenti to national success. By 2013, Talenti reached approximately $95 million in annual sales.
In December 2014, Unilever acquired Talenti after 18 months of negotiation. Hochschuler stayed on through 2016, growing sales to $245 million, before departing to focus on new ventures including Greenacres Nursery and Supply. Talenti remains the best-selling gelato brand in America.
Career Timeline
1995 — Graduated from Boston University Questrom School of Business
Earned degree in business administration and finance from Boston University
1996 — Moved to Argentina
Relocated to Buenos Aires with little money and no job; began teaching English
1996 — Started career at Bank of Boston
Landed 30-day contract through personal connection; worked in strategic planning and eventually helped manage the Argentina office
2001 — Returned to the United States
Returned from Argentina expecting to transfer to Boston; dot-com bust eliminated the position
2003 — Founded Talenti Gelato
Raised $600,000 from friends and family; opened first Talenti gelateria in Dallas, Texas
2004 — Pivoted Talenti to wholesale distribution
Closed unprofitable storefront and shifted to wholesale gelato production for restaurants and grocery stores
2007 — Brought in investors Steve Gill and Eddie Phillips at Talenti
Secured $1 million investment from Belvedere Vodka founders; they bought out original storefront investors
2009 — Secured Publix distribution at Talenti
Won Publix account after $500,000 radio ad guarantee; marked major turning point for the brand
2014 — Talenti acquired by Unilever
Unilever acquired Talenti in December 2014 after 18 months of negotiation
2016 — Completed consulting role at Unilever
Finished 3-year consulting arrangement; Talenti reached $245 million in sales under his leadership
