Helen was an East Coaster who worked in New York City and London before heading off to Sydney to attend Le Cordon Bleu. While Jan was a West Coast girl who worked in finance in the Asian culinary capitals of Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. Together they opened Sweet Republic in the summer of 2008, and it was named the Valley's best ice cream by Phoenix New Times and Top 10 Ice Cream by Bon Appetit. Their success stems from artisan craftsmanship, premium ingredients and handcrafted innovative flavors.