Poppin Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn

Steffy’s business career started after he graduated from high school. Counselors told his parents that he would probably never hold a job and would have to live in a group home for the rest of his life. No parent wants to hear that, Steffy’s father said. “I was determined that we could prove to them that he could work.”
Kettle korn, a German way of popping popcorn with sugar, turned out to be Steffy’s path to business success. In 2000, he and his father started popping corn on weekends at grocery stores around Louisburg, Kansas. Within ten years, he was grossing $75,000 annually. “I showed Dad I could stay on task for up to six hours,” Steffy said. “Dad saw that I could learn the repetition of the production process. I could pop, and I could bag, both key parts of popping kettle korn.”
So his mother helped him write a business plan, and the Kansas Department for Developmental Disabilities awarded him a grant to purchase new equipment. He got additional support from Social Security. He became the business’ sole proprietor in 2005, and sold his product at festivals, local events, fundraisers, and local retail outlets. “I love my freedom — it gives me a great life!” Steffy said. “I am a member in the community that I work in, which gives me a place to belong. I am a contributing citizen and recognized by my business peers and friends. “
Steffy’s family moved to Iowa in January 2022. He now travels between Georgia and Iowa with his business operations. He is busy setting up a new production site in Urbandale and looks forward to offering fresh popped Kettle Korn in a variety of flavors for Retail and Wholesale. He is excited to be a part of the community and share his products!