Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendra Black. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kendra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
Kendra’s Gourmet Popcorn believes in giving back to the community. In 2019, we launched an initiative that helps to foster Hope, Healing, Faith with “Popcorn with a Purpose”. We has made a commitment to promote these initiatives by partnering with several local non-profit organizations and charities and by donating a portion of proceeds to selected organizations.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Kendra Black , known around the city as “The Popcorn Lady” is the proud Owner and Chief Popcorn Artisan of Kendra’s Gourmet Popcorn. A native of Nashville, TN, her love for popcorn began when she was just a little girl in her mothers kitchen. One of her fondest childhood memories is when her mother “Johnnie”, would summon her and her younger sister Mary in the kitchen to show them her secret to making her delicious popcorn, a silver cast iron pot. While she and her sister stood in the kitchen in amazement at the magic of seeing each kernel pop ,her father Harry was picking out the nights selection for their weekly family “Movie Night”.
Fast- forward, in the Summer of 2016 while talking with one of her good friends, she found the conversation shift to the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. The timing of the conversation seemed to be divine as I had recently witnessed several of my friends and colleagues at that time follow their dreams of starting their own business. After we were simply bouncing different ideas about new startup businesses that could possibly work, I felt motivated and passionate about the love for cooking and I began experimenting with several different food creations. During that time of creating new recipes in the kitchen, I found myself reflecting back on the feelings of joy and amazement I had as a little girl, experiencing what seemed to be a special magic show, each time my mom would pull out that Silver cast iron pot. The nostalgia of seeing that silver pot, I always knew it was time for “Family Movie Night” and fresh popcorn.
I soon realized that the only “creation” that seemed to turn out right was my mother’s secret popcorn recipes. It was the passion I had inside and the love I had for her mother’s popcorn that gave me courage to set off to the races of entrepreneurship. Ready, Set, POP!. After a few sessions of trial and error, I shared my new signature spin on my mother’s popcorn with close friends and family. With their support and honest critiques about my new take on “Johnnies” Popcorn, this propelled her to finally chase after her dream of becoming a business owner.
Originally named “What’s Poppin, Kendra’s Gourmet Popcorn” when I launched the company in September 2016, I soon realized that my dream of becoming a business owner was now a reality. I now stand proud offering “delicious, fresh made to order gourmet popcorn that will have you craving for more.
Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. There were so many trials and tribulations that comes with having a business such as understanding how to balance your work life, family life, and social life. In the beginning of my business, I sacrificed a lot of time away from friends and family when I was trying to get my business started as well as money. Another challenge was how to run day to day business operation. Being that I do not have a business degree I had to learn first hand from trial and error. I had to do a ton of research for the type of business I am in. Understanding different food laws such as the TN Cottage Food Law Act Picking the right business license for my business. Knowing how I should label the packaging of my products to what kind of business insurance I needed.
Learning how to break down your cost (ingredients, supplies, overhead cost, and etc.) in order to my a profit was the hardest, simply because some people refuse to see the value in the product that is made by not wanting to pay the price you set for it and that part can be very discouraging.
Whenever I feel myself getting discouraged and wanting to give up I just pull up an old post of a $1500 Tiffany and Co. paperclip that was circulating on social media year ago and in the caption said “If people are willing to pay $1500 for a paper clip, then people can pay the price you charge for you products and services”.
Kendra’s Gourmet Popcorn is not just gourmet popcorn, it is an experience. KGP creates that nostalgia and familiarity whether you are eating the popcorn by yourself or sharing with friends or family, it’s delicious popcorn that will have you craving for more and you can taste the love in each bite. KGP prides ourselves in using the most fresh and quality ingredients available in Nashville. In addition to all of our products are preservative-free and we even uses popcorn kernels that are Non-GMO ( non-genetically modified organism). Each of our signature popcorn products are handcrafted, in small batches into a one of a kind experience for children today and a nostalgic experience for their parents who knows what it means to have “Family Movie Night” and homemade popcorn.
We specialize in classic flavors such as Cheddar Cheese, Movie Theater Butter, and Caramel popcorn, but we also make signature flavors Snickers, Strawberry Cheesecake, Nashville Hot Cheddar, Cinnabun and more. We offer party favors, KGP snack boxes, catering wedding and corporate events and more. KGP sets up at multiple Craft Fairs and Farmer Markets throughout Middle Tennessee and surrounding areas and we are also at the Basement Marketplace 14625 Lebanon Rd. Suite F. Old Hickory, TN 37138.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Social media has played a big part in my business. The one thing I have learnt while building my platform on social media is that people respect and appreciate individuals being their authentic selves. On any social media platform you are not just selling your products, but you selling an experience through your personality. Whenever I have started a live, make a reel my audience, or even post a regular post they are not only just get a chance to see the woman behind the popcorn, but the also get a chance to experience my authentic personality which helps sells the popcorn. Not only do you connect with potential customers, but you connect with other businesses and business owners while creates long lasting business relationships.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
This year has been the first year of have a team, which includes myself, Nadia Simmons, and Lacie Simmons. For the past 5 years I literally done everything on my own, from building a website, to promoting my business, to making the popcorn, packaging it, to selling the products. During that time was very rough, but well worth it because I know a part of my business. Sometime in 2021, I was talking to other business owners on how they was able to grow their business and the top answer was hire people to help grow the business. After praying about the type of team I needed and doing my research on how to build up my leadership skills, what necessary paperwork is needed for my employees not only for them to know framework of what to expect while working for Kendra’s Gourmet Popcorn, but paperwork for employees to sign to help protect my business and brand. I got in gear and promoted jobs titles, wages, and the description of the jobs and hired my first two to join the team. My goal for next year is to hire more to people to help grow the business even further.
How I maintain my high morale for my team is to treat my team how I would like to be treated. Try my best to be fair, clear, and understanding. I am a firm believer that if you treat your team right, your team will treat you better.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kgpopcorn.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/kendrasgourmetpopcorn
- Facebook: Facebook.com/kendrasgourmetpopcorn
- Linkedin: Linkedin.com/kendrablack
- Twitter: Twitter.com/kendraspopcorn
- Other: Tiktok.com/kendrasgourmetpopcorn
Image Credits
@Waremedia Kendra Black Ceceila Black