How I Built This with Guy Raz Pipcorn: Jennifer and Jeff Martin
Apr 26, 2021
Jennifer Martin and her brother Jeff co-founded Pipcorn, specializing in heirloom corn snacks after a serendipitous find at a farmer's market. They share how launching with hand-popped popcorn led to explosive growth, including their unforgettable moment on Oprah. Juggling artisanal values with commercial demands proved challenging, yet they navigated fundraising hurdles and surged ahead with strategic pivots, including a feature on Shark Tank. Their innovative use of heirloom corn reflects their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in a competitive market.
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Stale Start
- Jennifer and Jeff Martin's first Smorgasburg experience was disappointing.
- Their excitement turned to dismay when they opened their hand-stamped popcorn bags to find the product stale.
Improvised Holiday Offering
- Pipcorn improvised a holiday offering of four popcorn bags in a crate for Oprah's Favorite Things.
- This was a quick decision made on the spot, highlighting their adaptability.
Meeting Oprah
- Oprah surprised the Martin siblings during a filming session, giving Pipcorn a coveted spot on her Favorite Things list.
- Overwhelmed, Jennifer asked Oprah for a hug before realizing the production challenges ahead.