I’d like to share with you a passion of mine. That passion is popcorn. This probably sounds very odd, but let me tell you my story.
Since I can remember, popcorn has always played a big part of my life. That’s because way back in the 80s my mom created a mind-blowing delicious recipe for “something-around-the-likes-of-cheddar-cheese popcorn.” On special nights growing up, my mom would make this popcorn for our family. I loved it from the minute I tasted it. When I was really little, I used to stick my whole head in the brown paper popcorn bag and gobble it up. I used to call the seasonings “dust” and I would lick every bit of it off my fingers.
This isn’t just any old popcorn process either. The popcorn is popped in a very old-fashion way, on a stove in a medium-size sauce pan with a bit of oil and a couple scoops of kernels. It’s quite the loud experience if you’re the popper, because the popcorn kernels literally push the lid of the sauce pan off.
Once it’s popped, you dump it into a brown paper bag. Then we season it will all sorts of “secret ingredients” (that neither my mom, nor I will ever tell), shake it up in the bag, and then enjoy! It truly has an addicting affect on people.
In high school, I finally decided I could make the popcorn myself, so I did. Not only did I make it, but I perfected the recipe. I seasoned the popcorn differently than my mom, and everyone including my mom, agrees that I put the ultimate finishing touch to it. I like to call it “Keeney Korn”
By now you may be wondering what does this have to do with public relations. Well…for over a year now I have seriously begun thinking about perusing getting our delicious popcorn into the market. I’ve recently been bursting with creativity, so I’ve begun thinking of all the steps we would have to take to get this challenging project popping!
The first important thing is that I know I have a worthy product. ANYONE who has had my popcorn is pretty much in taste bud heaven. If you’ve had the pleasure of being around me when I’m making popcorn, you know what I’m talking about. The second important factor is that there is not much competition out there for already-popped seasoned popcorn, and I plan on having numerous flavors including sweet, spicy and salty among others, not just cheddar cheese or kettle corn.
I think this could be a great LONG-term goal/side PR project for me. I mean I have all the skills and resources I would need to actually accomplish this.
My “PR Popcorn Project” would take MANY hours of research, and help from other people…I’d have to research all kinds of things, from how to mass produce popcorn, to scientific ingredient components needed to preserve and package it. This project would be anything but quick and easy. It could even take 5-10 years, but I truly think that with my determination, enthusiastic attitude, love for the product, research and public relations skills, it could be done!
My ultimate goal would be to continue my career in public relations at a great agency or organization, and in my free time, this would be my side “PR Popcorn Project.”
So, check back with me in a year, and see where I’m at with it.
“Some of you may shop till you drop, but I pop till I drop!”
I know I’m commenting on my own blog and all, but I thought it incredibly random that our reading for PR advanced writing class today has a PR popcorn story in it!? So I just thought I’d inform ya’ll that I don’t make my popcorn with coconut oil, which is high in saturated fat. I use canola oil which is low in saturated fat and more healthy.
Yum!! Now I’m really craving some popcorn. I don’t even like popcorn that much, but your recipe sounds delicious!
I think getting “Keeney Korn” into the market is a great idea and you can definitely accomplish this goal by using your PR skills. Good luck!
This blog is a great way to get the word out about your popcorn. The story you told is very interesting. People are going to wonder what it’s all about and they’ll want to try some. I would definitely be a customer.
Thank goodness you don’t use coconut oil!
Allison! I really enjoyed reading this post. I’m so excited for you to take on this adventure! It sounds like your passionate about your popcorn, who wouldn’t be? There is definitely a lot to take away from the Made to Stick book for your “PR Popcorn Project.” I’m sure it will be really helpful to you.
Good luck!!
You forgot to mention that when a person needs a really decadent treat, it tastes really good with butter melted on top of it.
Wow that sounds delicious! My mom and I used to make the popcorn the same way, but we didn’t have any special seasoning. Just loads of butter and salt! I’d definitely buy some “Keeney Korn” if I saw it in Market of Choice sometime.