Maryellis Bunn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maryellis Bunn |
| Education | New York University Parsons School of Design |
| Alma mater | Business and design |
| Occupations | Founder & CEO Creative Director |
| Years active | 2010s-present |
| Organization | Figure8, Inc |
| Known for | Museum of Ice Cream |
Maryellis Bunn is an American entrepreneur, creative director, and the founder of Figure8, Inc, which is the parent company of the Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC). She developed a concept for converting vacant retail spaces into immersive, museum-style environments, opening the first MOIC location in New York City in 2016. The installation combines fantasy-themed design elements, social interaction, and retail components. By 2019, the company had reached a valuation of $200 million. [1]
As the Museum of Ice Cream brand expanded in the United States and internationally, Bunn has been recognised by Forbes and Ad Age as a pioneer in the cultural experience concept known as an experium, a version of experiential museums. [2]
Bunn was raised in Laguna Beach, California. [3] She moved to New York City for higher education, graduating from New York University and earning a joint degree in business and design from Parsons School of Design. [3] [4]
After completing her studies, Bunn worked in design and business strategy, including serving as Head of Forecasting and Innovation at Time Inc. [3] She later consulted for major companies such as Facebook, Instagram, Staples, and Fortune before launching a new venture in 2016 with co-founder Manish Vora. [5] The self-funded venture with co-founder Vora was Figure8 Inc., [3] which focused on creating multi-sensory, inclusive experiences inspired by ice cream. [1] [6] The concept debuted as a pop-up in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in 2016, where the Museum of Ice Cream brand first emerged. [7]
The exhibit's popularity led to additional pop-ups and later permanent locations in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. [5] Bunn coined the term "experiums" for these spaces, [8] which drew over 1 million visitors in 2018. [7] [9] These achievements saw her recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and also by Ad Age. [10] [11] To support further growth, Bunn secured $40 million in Series A funding in 2019, [12] enabling expansion across the U.S. and into Singapore and Shanghai. [7] [13] That same year, MOIC opened its Soho flagship. [14] [12] [15] In 2020, a design intended to honor victims of police brutality drew criticism for its color scheme, [16] [17] prompting revisions and an apology. [18] MOIC then expanded internationally with openings in Singapore, [19] [20] Austin, Chicago, [21] and Shanghai between 2021 and 2022, including a collaboration with Shake Shack for the Shanghai site. [22]
Bunn shifted the focus to expanding MOIC's permanent experium venues rather than temporary pop-ups from 2022 onwards. This included new locations in the United States beginning with Miami in September 2024, [23] and followed by a location in Boston that December. [24] The brand continued developing as a scalable concept with a focus on new immersive installations such as the "Creamliner" and "Hall of Freezers" in Miami. [25] Bunn also announced further expansion, with a Las Vegas location planned for 2026, [26] and the first ground-up MOIC building in California revealed in late 2025. [27] The Los Angeles MOIC will be the first permanent site in the state, following its earlier 2017 pop-up. [28]