JB'S BARNYARD
HISTORY
Western Kentucky University 2014
Jared and Briley - College Sweethearts
SO WHERE DOES THE NAME "JB'S" COME FROM?
Meet Jared and Briley, the husband and wife duo who are the founders of JB’s Barnyard! Jared and Briley are Indiana natives and proudly make their ice cream on their own land near Evansville, IN. When you get ice cream from JB’s, you won’t be able to miss the insane positive energy these two bring! They are crazy passionate about their ice cream and even more in love with their community!
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN,
AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
While in college at Western Kentucky University, Jared and Briley would often be found at Chaney's Dairy Barn. Briley worked at Chaney's Dairy Barn milking cows and scooping ice cream in their ice cream shop. After college, Jared and Briley moved back home to Evansville, IN, where they started JB's Barnyard. From 2021-2023, JB's Barnyard sourced their ice cream directly from Chaney's Dairy Barn. With the incredible help of the Chaney family, Jared and Briley were able to kick start their business while learning how to make that irresistibly tasty ice cream!
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STARTING A MOBILE ICE CREAM BUSINESS
Jared and Briley began construction on their mobile ice cream truck in February of 2021! While still working full time jobs, Jared and Briley spent their evenings, weekends, and vacation days building out their ice cream truck and creating the business. Word quickly took off about JB's Barnyard, as JB's was soon booked almost 6 days a week with ice cream events!
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MAKING ICE CREAM ON OUR OWN LAND
After rapidly growing in only 2 short years, JB's Barnyard co-founders, Jared and Briley, realized it was time to begin making their own ice cream. In the Spring of 2023, Jared began renovating space in the couples 3,000 square foot barn to make their own ice cream production area! On May 31st, 2023, Jared and Briley made their very first batch of ice cream!
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THE BARNYARD HAS BEGUN
JB’s Barnyard was born, not only as an ice cream business, but as a vision for Jared and Briley’s future. The word “barnyard” is more than just a business name. The “barnyard” is the goal. “Barnyard”, although signifying the future, motivates our present. The word “barnyard” is the daily reminder to Jared and Briley of what they are working so hard for. Although Jared and Briley are far from achieving their dream farm, they are proud to be where they are today.
Even after several years of JB’s Barnyard being established, they have only achieved a small portion of their “dream”. But it is important to take note of every win, even the small ones.
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So although Jared and Briley have a dream of one day owning more land with hundreds of cows, for now, they will start with two!​
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OPENING OUR STOREFRONT
On November 30th, 2024, JB's Barnyard opened up their storefront on Jared and Briley's land. Briley later that day posted on social media saying: “I remember in 2020, during the pandemic, I began to really struggle mentally. I was not happy with my life. I began to read a lot of self help books and listen to motivational podcast. It was then when God gave me my vision. A blue and white gambrel style barn. My animals would be in the back and customers would come from near and far to visit, get ice cream, and pet my cows.
When Jared and I first started the business in 2021, I was devastated to learn that we didn’t have enough money to recreate the barn I saw in my vision. I was partially ashamed that we had to start off as “just an ice cream truck”. But we never gave up on our dream. We even used to use the slogan “a little ice cream truck with big dreams”.
After we bought our current property in 2023, I never planned on having a customer pick up location here. I always thought it was “too small” and “not nice enough”. Until one day I realized that sometimes, you just have to use what God has given you right now in the present.
About a month into renovations at our barn, it dawned on me. This is a gambrel style barn. We painted it blue and white. Although this barn is a million times smaller than the barn I saw in my vision years ago, this. is. it.
Maybe this is just the beginning. Maybe one day we will have our huge storefront that we desire. But for right now, we are going to open up the “too small” and “not nice enough” barn for you to come visit, get ice cream, and pet my cows.”
-Briley
Co-founder of JB’s Barnyard
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Learn more by visiting our storefront by clicking on visit JB's Barnyard.
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WELCOMING OUR BABY, CRITTER!
Welcoming our newest Critter!!!!
Briley, co-founder of JB’s Barnyard, recently wrote down her thoughts:
“Jared and I used to be really afraid of becoming parents…
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Jared and I always knew we would be “older” parents. We would say, “ahh, we are just focused on the business”, but in reality it was because we just flat out weren’t ready. We didn’t feel a calling to bring life into this world yet. Sometimes we would feel shallow or selfish because we didn’t “want” to be parents yet. But we were adamant that we shouldn’t change our mind on parenthood, just because we were “getting older”.
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One day something, and we still don’t know what, clicked. Although we were still unsure about raising a baby, it was as if all of a sudden becoming a parent didn’t scare us anymore. It was as if we felt hopeful for raising a tiny human instead of fearful.
Even though Jared and I had been trying to get pregnant for several months, the day we found out I was pregnant I immediately shed tears. Those tears were a combination of excitement, shock, nervousness, and being scared out of my mind. An hour later, Jared looked over at me on the couch and I smiled, but then started balling again. I said to him through the sobs, “but what if I’m only a good mom to my critters?”.
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Jared, as calmly and confidently as possible said, “well, I guess we will just have to name the baby critter then”.
A while after, I told a friend the story of how we came about calling the baby “critter”. I will never forget their reply after telling them that story. They said, “that’s how you know you’re going to be good parents. Your first thought was to worry if you’re gonna be good enough.”
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Jared and I are BEYOND EXCITED! Obsession with our tiny human is an understatement. We are loving every stage of this pregnancy and are hopeful for adding a new critter to our family.”
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Baby Simpkins, aka “Critter”, coming soon in 2026!
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