Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Mariel.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am the CEO/Founder of Live Love Pop popcorn — a Woman Owned, Mission Based, Healthy line of popcorn based out of Dallas, Texas.
There are so many popcorn companies out there, but we have managed to pave our way into the market in a very exciting way. We are extremely different from any other popcorn company or snack company for that matter. Here’s a brief summary of who we are and why we are doing what we are doing:
I launched LLP back in 2013 after my mother (aka my best friend) was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Breast Cancer called Triple Negative HERR 2. My mom is the one that taught me how to make healthy, homemade stovetop popcorn growing up — and it’s been a family favorite ever since. After she was diagnosed I quit my job so I could spend more time with her and help her through her treatments, and during that time I started LLP in honor of her. I knew the world didn’t need another popcorn company, but what the world ALWAYS needs is a better tomorrow. With that in mind, I decided to start our Selfless Snacking Campaign where we give back to a different charity with each various flavor of Live Love Pop. My mother’s favorite flavor donates back to Breast Cancer Research. The rest of the charities I chose mean something to my family and me. The other charities include: Hunger Relief Efforts, Wipe Out Kid’s Cancer, Alzheimer’s Research, New Friends New Life (to help fight women and children trafficking), Veteran’s Health Programs, and Youth Development Programs. We are proud, thankful, and oh so happy to say that both MOM and POP are doing well 🙂
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT:
1. Mission Based — give back to different charities with each different flavor through our Selfless Snacking
Campaign
2. Unique Flavors — we based all of our flavors off of popular chip flavors on the market that we already knew worked with customers. We essentially are just providing a healthier platform for all to enjoy sans the fat, calories, sodium, and all the rest of the junk that comes along with potato chips. We are considered the PERFECT substitute according to an Eat This, Not That! Article
3. Oil Popped vs Air Popped — we are one of the ONLY companies that still continues to pop in the classic way, which is OIL popping. (This was very important to me as this is how my mother taught me how to pop popcorn growing up)
4. Superior Taste — we had custom lines built for our brand so that we were able to achieve the “small batch” “stovetop” taste since after all, this product is to honor my mother and the battle she has fought
5. Eye-Catching Packaging — we are bright, beautiful, edgy, and POP on all the shelves/displays we’re place in
6. Woman Owned
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think there is any smooth road when starting and running your own business. First, a disclaimer: At the end the day, I would not trade my current situation for any other job, and I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I truly love. However, being an entrepreneur and owning your own business isn’t the easy, carefree career path that many people believe it to be; it’s actually the complete opposite. When everything is invested in your own business–time, money, passion and creativity–it can be beyond overwhelming. A small business with fast growth will always have issues with cash flow. Growth is great, but to continue to grow, you must have money. We have had some key people behind LLP who have believed in us from the beginning so we have been extremely lucky with how fast we have been able to grow and manage our cash flow all at the same time — now I’m saying we have perfect cash flow because I truly believe that’s been one of our biggest struggles even with our supporters and will continue to be a struggle as we continue to grow across the country. Another struggle for us was finding a co-manufacturer who I could trust to reproduce my line of products with the same type of quality and standards I had for when I was making/popping the popcorn myself. It was hands down our BIGGEST struggle as I am truly one of the pickiest people on the planet earth when it comes to popcorn 🙂 Everything from the kernel itself, to the crunch, to the way the seasoning is applied, you name it — it’s got to be perfect (actually it has to be MORE than perfect 🙂 ! We finally found a partner 2.5 years into the company and we couldn’t be happier. In fact we just nailed down our 2nd co-manufacturer which is really exciting for us! YAY!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
1. We are a mission based, woman owned, healthy line of popcorn based in Dallas, Texas
2. I am the CEO/Founder of Live Love Pop (side note: None of my family (including myself) comes from the food industry)
3. I do just about everything in the company. There’s a total of 3 of us in the company so we all wear lots of different hats. I think where I thrive the most is in sales as I’m the face and story behind the brand.
4. Hands down, I’m most proud that this company is mission based and honors my amazingly beautiful mother. I didn’t create this company to become a millionaire or to receive attention. I created this company after being heartbroken about my mom being diagnosed with such a terrifying and deadly form of breast cancer. I’m so proud of our Selfless Snacking Campaign which is where we give back to different charities with each various flavor of popcorn.
At the end of the day, it’s up to US to make a difference in this world. After my mother was diagnosed, my whole world was turned upside down. I knew I had to do something…I knew had to get out there and start fighting for a cure, and do my part in creating a healthier, happier, and better tomorrow. So with that, I hope all of you will join us as we “Snack Our Way to a Better Tomorrow”
What were you like growing up?
I’m the middle child between two awesome sisters (one of who actually works with me at LLP :)) Growing up I was a total tomboy and a wild woman- I liked any and all sports, and always found myself in the emergency room for some kind of injury — whether it was climbing fences/trees or just getting into trouble in general, that was ME! I was also a complete worry wart (like to a fault) and loved being with my family whenever I could. Can you say #Homebody alert?! I really liked school, except for math, and always enjoyed being with friends. Growing up, I loved spending time in the kitchen with my mom and sisters and always enjoyed traveling with my fam. And last but not least — I was and still am a dog obsessed human being.
Pricing:
- Even though our popcorn is considered to be the premium line of popcorn, we are still extremely price competitive with the largest companies in the country which we LOVE!
- Our pricing ranges from $3.49-$3.99 per bag
- You can order by the case on our website www.livelovepop.com or on Amazon in both of our sizes & different flavors — 4.4 oz and 1.o oz
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livelovepop.com
- Phone: 2146976370
- Email: lauren@livelovepop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelovepop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveLovePopPopcorn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/livelovepopLLC
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/livelovepop/
Image Credit:
Cesar Sanchez – Imaginaria Creative (Live Love Pop’s graphic designer located in Plano, Texas. He created these as we were nominated for the Dieline awards for best graphic design.
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
