Celebrating Local Black Talent Series
Small Black Owned Business Feature
Name: Robbin Jackson
Affiliation: Goodwin student
Business Name: Nutmeg Kettlecorn
Business Type: Retail food business
Year Founded: 2014
Who We Are & What We Do…
Nutmeg Kettlecorn is a family owned business that creates tasty small batch, hand stirred kettle corn in sweet gourmet flavors. We specialize in customized edible gifts for every life occasion, including weddings, birthdays, employee appreciation or just because!
How We Started and Where We Are Now…
We started in 2014 with a kettle pot, a tent, some supplies and a dream. Every weekend, we were setting up and breaking down a tent and tables at the North Haven Flea Market. Many bags and many happy customers later….In 2019 we signed a lease to open our first brick & mortar store! When the pandemic hit, it completely shut down progress for our business, so I took the opportunity to take online courses and revamp our website to prepare for curbside delivery for local orders and FedEx shipping.
What Inspired Me to Start This Venture…
My mother, Ruth Ford, is who inspired me to start this business. She loved popcorn SO much. She would eat a bag every single night. Sadly, we lost her in 2014 after a long battle with kidney failure. We know that she smiles upon every effort made for this small legacy company that we are building in her honor…smiling from Heaven and eating popcorn. I love you, mom!
What Makes Me Feel Empowered…
I feel empowered to be an older, wiser African American woman. I have made many mistakes, lived many chapters in my book called life, raised three wonderful sons and married a first and a last husband. I have worked in many positions for a variety of companies. Now this is my time to feel uninhibited…free to soar toward my dream come true, free to honor my beautiful mother and father and create a legacy to leave to my grandchildren.
What I Love Most About What I Do…
I love seeing the sheer joy on the faces of our customers after they taste our kettle corn for the first time and then over and over again. We create memories. We sell joy and happiness in a bag of crunchy yum yums. It always touches my heart to think we are recreating the bliss that my mom enjoyed while eating her own bag each night.
Misconceptions I Have Faced as a Black Business Owner…
I have had to face the curiosity of and questioning of our validity as a “REAL” business. Questions have been directed to us regarding where we got our equipment and how much it cost. We have been asked how we thought of this concept in a way where we felt it was being asked as if we had no right to do this. Non-black individuals have challenged that they can do what we do as a business and do it better than us. Individuals have eaten our samples and spit it out right in front of our booth. Individuals have asked if we are the owners (my husband and I) and then would walk away and avoid us. My dear sister-friend, who is white, has posed to be the owner of our business as my husband and I pretend to be her staff. When she asked of some decision-making advice from me, it shocked and puzzled those that were listening nearby. We have had quite the adventures, but nothing can replace the absolute love and support we have experienced from our wonderful clients from every walk of life. Their joy from our handmade products outweigh any adverse experience.
Challenges I Have Encountered…
MONEY, MONEY, CREDIT & MONEY! Trying to find contractors that are inexpensive has definitely been a challenge. We have taken one company to court for shoddy work that we paid for upfront. You must be careful of companies that are just trying to take advantage of you. Starting a business and opening a store is almost impossible with a shoestring budget. Recognizing how many roads lead to failure is so valuable. We were blessed to have my mother’s investments available to afford all of the out of pocket expenses for opening a business. I am currently taking an entrepreneurial course which has been amazingly helpful toward organizing the business. Still, we have miles to go before we sleep, miles to go…
What We Celebrate…
Nutmeg Kettlecorn celebrates honoring a happy life, generosity, equality and creating memories.
What Being a Black Business Owner Means to Me…
Being a black business owner means accomplishment, pride and freedom to conduct business my way.
My Hope is to…
I hope to inspire others to celebrate all of life’s occasions and make them memorable by using our products as a gift.
My Message to Potential Black Business Owners…
My message is to persevere. Embrace your mistakes and stand your ground as a valid business owner, not to ever be undermined. Seek help if needed and stay organized toward your important success.
Business Contact Information
Website: www.nutmegkettlecorn.com
Email: info@nutmegkettlecorn.com
Phone: 844-688-6344
Address: 2 Chapel Street, Suite 6, Wallingford, CT 06492
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.