The Advice You Didn’t Hear
One of the biggest behind-the-scenes highlights came from Jay Klein, owner of PÜR Gum.
Jay is in a similar space to us, with his own popcorn brand sitting on shelves right beside ours in retailers like Winners (part of TJX Companies). He offered to share advice on working with large corporate buyers—something that’s incredibly valuable as we continue expanding nationally.
The SKU Debate
We’ve heard from so many of you about the SKU conversation with Tara Bosch of Smart Sweets.
And yes… you had our backs!
Flavours are a huge part of our differentiation. It’s what makes Klondike Kettle Corn stand out on shelves across the country. You get that—and we love you for it.
That said… she did have a point.
We’ve just placed our largest packaging run ever, with over 15 SKUs. And as part of our B Corp journey, we’re making some big changes:
- Switching to non-GMO ingredients (kernels, sunflower oil, and cane sugar)
- Updating ingredient lists across every package
- Adding our WBE certification to packaging
- Preparing for B Corp certification
- Moving toward 33% PCR packaging next year
These aren’t small tweaks. These are full-scale changes across every SKU.
And as you can imagine… time = money. Tara's advice does come into play here...
Simplifying for National Growth
While we’re proud of our wide range of flavours, we’re also getting strategic as we scale.
At national retailers, we’re focusing on our top-performing SKUs:
- Sweet & Salty Popcorn
- Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Popcorn
- Dill Pickle Popcorn
- White Cheddar Popcorn
You’ll now find us in places like:
- Georgia Main Food Group (Fresh St. Market & IGA in BC)
- Whole Foods Market
Each retailer carries a curated mix, allowing us to grow efficiently while still showcasing what makes us unique.
A Moment Between Moms
One of the most meaningful connections in the Den wasn’t just about business—it was about motherhood and building something from the ground up.
Tara Bosch and I connected on that level right away.
She was incredibly supportive of our story and invited me to attend Sweet Futures, a retreat for female entrepreneurs co-hosted with The Forum in Whistler.
I’ve had friends attend and come back completely transformed—recharged, inspired, and ready to take their businesses to the next level.
I’ll be there next February, and I already know it’s going to be something special.
The Moment You Almost Saw
Remember that moment of suspense that Marc Lafleur hinted at?
It was very real.
Barb Stegemann hadn’t made many deals in the Den at that point. It wasn’t an easy yes.
She said she was waiting for something magical.
And for us, that word hit home. “Magic” is literally on our packaging. It’s part of our story.
What you didn’t see is how much I pushed in that moment. I didn’t interrupt like it looked on TV—but I did lean in. I believed so strongly that she was the right partner.
And then something incredible happened…
Every full-circle Dragon started cheering her on. Encouraging her. Supporting the decision, even knowing food wasn’t her background.
It was one of those rare, beautiful moments where the entire room was aligned.
And when she said yes?
It was pure joy.
The Backstage Moment That Sealed It
Here’s something that feels almost meant to be…
I waited backstage for over four hours before stepping into the Den.
And what was I doing?
Reading Barb’s book.
Finding connection in her story. Seeing the alignment. Feeling it before it even happened.
Even though other Dragons may have been a more obvious fit from an industry perspective… I knew.
I wanted a deal with her.
Full Circle
Looking back, the deal wasn’t just about business.
It was about shared values. Purpose. Story. And yes… a little bit of magic.
Thank you for watching, for cheering us on, and for being part of this journey with us.
We felt your support every step of the way.
