Owen Hanson had time to think—lots of it. Confined to a six-by-eight-foot cell, most people would have let their circumstances define them. Instead, Hanson grabbed a mop bucket and some basic ingredients and started experimenting. What began as a way to make incarceration slightly more bearable evolved into California Ice Protein, a company that creates high-protein frozen treats with clean ingredients. The odds were stacked against him, yet he found a way to build something meaningful while facing constraints most of us can’t imagine.

The story doesn’t end with the product itself. Hanson’s path illustrates what happens when someone refuses to let their past dictate their future. He saw a gap in the frozen dessert market for protein-packed options that didn’t taste like cardboard or contain artificial ingredients. So he filled it, one mop bucket batch at a time.

Building a Business Behind Bars

He was serving time in federal prison when the idea struck him. Inmates had access to commissary items like protein powder, Greek yogurt, and fruit. He started mixing these ingredients in a mop bucket, freezing them, and creating what he describes as protein-rich frozen treats. Other inmates loved them. They started asking for more, and Hanson realized he had stumbled onto something with real potential.

The process was scrappy. He used a stick to create the popsicle shape, freezing the mixture in whatever containers he could find. There was no fancy equipment, no test kitchen, no focus groups. Just trial and error in one of the most restrictive environments imaginable. He spent six years perfecting the formula, adjusting ratios, and figuring out what worked. By the time he left prison, he had a product people wanted and a clear vision for what came next.

Hanson’s release didn’t mean smooth sailing. He had to navigate federal halfway house restrictions while trying to build a legitimate business. He needed raw protein sources, manufacturing partnerships, and distribution channels. Bruce from Quest and Legends Protein believed in his story and connected him with resources. Hanson secured a trademark for California Ice Protein, ensuring no one else could claim the name or concept he developed while incarcerated. He’s currently working with a dairy manufacturer to scale production while maintaining the quality and ingredient standards he established from the beginning.

California Ice Pops

California Ice Protein sells high-protein frozen treats designed for people who want dessert without compromising their nutritional goals. Each bar contains 15 to 20 grams of protein and uses clean ingredients, no artificial additives or excessive sugar. The company offers a plethora of innovative flavors, and Hanson continually develops new options based on customer feedback.

The product sits between traditional ice cream and protein bars. It’s not trying to be a health food that tastes like punishment, nor is it pretending to be a low-calorie alternative that leaves you unsatisfied. The target audience includes gym-goers, athletes, bodybuilders, and anyone seeking a frozen treat aligned with their fitness goals. Hanson designed the product with taste and texture in mind, ensuring people would actually enjoy eating it rather than choking it down for the protein content.

Now, Owen is focused on getting California Ice Protein into gyms, fitness studios, and retail locations with proper freezer space. The company sells 20-packs online for customers willing to commit to larger orders, but its priority is building local partnerships where people can grab a bar after a workout or during their regular shopping trips.

Final Thoughts

People talk about resilience like it’s a buzzword, but Hanson lived it. He didn’t have the luxury of a business mentor, startup capital, or even fundamental freedom when he created his first batch. He worked with what he had and refused to let his environment become an excuse. That mentality carries through to how he runs California Ice Protein today.

The frozen dessert market is crowded, but Hanson carved out space by focusing on what others overlooked: a clean-ingredient, high-protein option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. His story matters because it shows that circumstances don’t have to define outcomes. Whether you’re in a prison cell or facing your own obstacles, the ability to create something valuable exists if you’re willing to do the work.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.