We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan Popovich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan below.
Susan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I think I started my business at the right time for me. I was forty six years old when I decided to open Southern Treats. I would imagine everyone is different. A lot of people expect young people to have it all figured out by the time they graduate high school or college. I think every job and chapter in my life helped me get to the place I am now.
I was in the medical field for twenty years. There were a lot of ups and downs. It was very hard and I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I needed that job. I thought I needed the 9-5 stability and benefits. What I learned is there is no stability in any job. I learned that at a young age when my father lost his job after thirty years, because the company went bankrupt. That loss changed him and me. I saw there is no real stability in life, It really didn’t hit home until my mother passed away though. She worked her entire life and was so happy to retire and start living her dreams, but she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and died six years later. That lesson taught me not to put things off until the right time. Today is the right time to live your dreams. You have to take a leap of faith and that’s what I did.
I opened Southern Treats in 2019 in Pensacola, Florida. It’s a kettle corn and cotton candy company. I work different farmers markets, concerts, festivals, and any type of celebration. I wanted to be part of my community and work outside in the fresh air more. I wanted it to be a family run business. My husband and son are always there to help me. Working with my family has been a blessing. Especially working with my son Roman. He was twelve when I started Southern Treats and he’s now eighteen. He has been my biggest help. I was able to have more family time and build a business working side by side with my son. I hope by my example he will follow his dreams.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Southern Treats is a kettle corn and cotton candy company in Pensacola, Florida. I established Southern Treats the summer of 2019. I wanted a mobile vendor business that allowed me to work different events in my area. I wanted it to have a real southern charm. I wanted to be known for my delicious treats and excellent customer service. Our kettle corn is gluten-free, dairy-free, non GMO, preservative free and vegan friendly. We use simple, but premium ingredients. We also make our own cotton candy sugars. Our cotton candy is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan friendly. They are delicious!
I wanted to create gourmet southern treats. I wanted to create a treat you could feel good about giving your family. I wanted our customers to have a really great experience. I hoped to get to know them and they could be a part of my dream. I think we have created that with Southern Treats.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I started my business in the summer of 2019. I had no idea how I was going to book regular events. I needed regular events, because this was my full time job. My business is not a side hustle or a hobby. I immediately became a regular vendor at Palafox Market. This market was named the best farmers market in the south by Southern Living Magazine. Being a vendor at this market opened a lot of doors for my small business. I became a regular vendor at all of the best events in my area. That all came to a screeching halt when the pandemic hit. My business is based on events. There were no events happening and I didn’t know how my business would survive. Luckily my community came together to help small businesses. I was able to set up at a local farmers market called The Farm during the pandemic.
I was also able to set up at a few other local businesses in my area. The kindness of these business owners saved my business. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined to keep fighting for my dream. The uncertainty was the worst, but I realized when you own your own business there is a lot of uncertainty. You just have to keep fighting for your dream. You never give up. You just keep hustling, learning, and growing. You have to adapt as a small business owner.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think the biggest thing that helped build Southern Treats reputation is staying true to my brand. I wanted to make delicious kettle corn and cotton candy and make sure my business has a real southern charm about it. I needed to keep that vision in mind for every event. If the event was not the right fit for our band then I didn’t work that event. I also want to give excellent customer service to our customers. I try to meet other small businesses owners when I’m at events and working. I make sure to support them. I treat them the way I would like to be treated. That seems like a small thing, but not everyone does that. There is a lot of competition. I make it a point to try to help other business owners the way I was helped. I think Southern Treat has a good reputation, because of the quality of our products and excellent customer service. I genuinely love what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southern-treats.com
- Instagram: southerntreats5
- Facebook: southerntreats5
