UNC Athlete Seth Trimble Becomes Youngest Ben & Jerry’s Owner

At just 21 years old, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) basketball player Seth Trimble is already making waves in the business world. Thanks to the opportunities provided by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Trimble has achieved a remarkable milestone: becoming the youngest Ben & Jerry’s franchise owner in the company’s history.

From Athlete to Entrepreneur

Trimble’s passion for business extends beyond the basketball court, a vision he’s nurtured since high school. He recognizes that athletic careers have a finite lifespan and is proactively building long-term wealth through entrepreneurship. “I’ve always had that vision, I know the ball doesn’t juggle forever,” Trimble shared in an interview with Inside Carolina.

His NIL deals, including partnerships with Powerade and Town & Country Farms, have provided the financial foundation for this entrepreneurial pursuit. Trimble is eager to explore his potential in various fields, stating, “Basketball is a thing that I crave the most. It’s what I love to do, but you know, there’s things I also want to explore, and that’s the business world, that’s entrepreneurship.”

Mentorship and a Historic Opportunity

Trimble’s journey into business ownership was significantly influenced by his mentor, Antonio McBroom, CEO of Primo Partners. McBroom, also a UNC alum and a successful Ben & Jerry’s franchisee with over 24 locations, met Trimble during his senior year of high school. Their conversations about business opportunities intensified during Trimble’s first year of college.

McBroom, who started scooping ice cream in college himself, even offered Trimble the chance to take over one of his stores. This mentorship has culminated in Trimble officially becoming the owner of the Ben & Jerry’s storefront on Franklin Street, conveniently located near the UNC campus.

A Community Investment

Trimble expressed his gratitude on Instagram, calling it a dream come true. “I’m extremely grateful to officially be able to say that I am now an owner of the Ben & Jerry’s store on Franklin St,” he wrote. He sees this as an opportunity to make his mark in a different way at the university and to reinvest in the community that has supported him.

This achievement not only highlights Trimble’s business acumen but also showcases the transformative potential of NIL deals for student-athletes, enabling them to build financial legacies beyond their sports careers. Trimble’s story is a powerful example of ambition, mentorship, and strategic investment.