Today we’d like to introduce you to Billie K. Johnson.
Hi Billie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was a little girl. My first business was Billie’s Piano Studio. My Mom helped me with the marketing, but I did the teaching and remember having pride writing real receipts for real money. I’ve had other businesses over the years, including a home-based bakery, Corbin’s Sweet House for 13 years.
My home-based bakery sold mini-Bundt cakes, cookies, and popcorn at local farmer’s markets and other pop-up events, in addition to doing custom work, specifically decorated cookies. After 13 years of Corbin’s Sweet House, I decided to solely focus on gourmet popcorn. Miss Billie’s Popcorn Company was founded at the beginning of the pandemic, but I’ve been making homemade popcorn for many years. I get great fulfillment when others enjoy items I’ve made. Each batch of popcorn is cooked on the stovetop, in small batches. There is nothing like homemade popcorn.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I made the transition from a home-based bakery to a home-based gourmet popcorn shop at the beginning of the pandemic. It was very challenging because I usually sell my product at local farmer’s markets but did not have the opportunity due to the shutdown. Also, I’ve been known as a baker for a while. Making the transition from baked goods to gourmet popcorn only, pivoting my business, was almost like starting from scratch.
When challenges come, it’s important to remember your why and to find a way. I’ve always enjoyed entrepreneurship and I like working hard for myself. I hope to pass my entrepreneurial skills to my son, my nephew, and nieces. It’s easy to identify what cannot be done. It can be hard to find what can be done. You have to find a way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Miss Billie’s Popcorn Company?
Miss Billie’s Popcorn Company is a home-based gourmet popcorn company based in Desoto. We operate under the Texas Cottage Food Law. As the owner, I’m very personable and love connecting with customers and people in general. We offer a variety of flavors, some are unique. As a baker, I know flavor. We do rotate flavors as the season warrants. Our top-selling flavors are caramel, caramel cheddar, caramel white cheddar, and shirley temple.
We can also do custom work for your event, organization, or gifts. We sell online, but you can visit us in-person weekly at the Downtown Waxahachie Farmers Market on Saturdays. The 2022 season runs May 7 to October 22.
If you are in need of a speaker for students, an event, or an organization, we offer speaking services, as well.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for those who are just starting out is simply just do it. You may be scared, do it scared. It will be hard; you can do hard things. You will make mistakes, but you can also learn from your mistakes. Identify your why and never forget that.
Contact Info:
- Email: missbilliespopcorn@gmail.com
- Website: www.missbilliespopcorn.com
- Instagram: @missbilliespopcorn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missbilliespopcorn
