Popping Joy: Terri Crowder’s Journey with Northern Neck Popcorn
Release Date: 09/08/2025
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info_outlineIn this deliciously inspiring episode of Fanatical DreamHer, April Kemp sits down with Terri Crowder, owner of Northern Neck Popcorn Bag, to talk about her entrepreneurial journey, family legacy, and the joy of building a business rooted in creativity and community. From childhood memories of running a pretend pantry store to working in her grandmother’s snowball stand, Terri shares how her path came full circle when she launched Northern Neck Popcorn in 2016.
Now with multiple locations, countless unique flavors, and a loyal following, Terri opens up about the challenges of expansion, lessons learned through setbacks, and the pure joy of creating popcorn that connects with people during both celebrations and hard times. Her story is one of resilience, servant leadership, and always finding strength to get back up again.
Key Discussion Points:
- (01:45) Childhood dreams inspired by her grandmother’s pantry and snowball stand
- (03:45) Leaving software sales to launch Northern Neck Popcorn in 2016
- (05:22) Starting with 30 flavors and growing through creativity and seasonality
- (06:26) Expanding to three locations: Kilmarnock, Gloucester, and Warsaw
- (07:48) Challenges after the pandemic and lessons from rapid growth
- (09:02) Contracting from five stores to three and learning balance
- (11:15) Personal growth, strength, and resilience as a woman entrepreneur
- (12:34) Self-talk and the role of faith: Philippians 4:13
- (15:02) Early milestone: realizing she could build a team and accept help
- (17:21) Customer experiences as her biggest moments of success
- (20:59) Highs and lows of daily entrepreneurship—never really being “off”
- (25:27) Family influence: a legacy of entrepreneurs across generations
- (27:20) Returning to school to pursue a degree in historic preservation
- (29:48) The importance of mentors, friends, and family support
- (30:39) Advice for young dreamers: be a sponge, learn everything, and ask for help
- (33:33) Top flavors: Salted Dark Chocolate Caramel, Krabby Corn, Butter Beer, Key Lime Pie
Notable Quotes:
- “I pop joy. That’s what this is about for me.”
- “Discipline, creativity, and community keep this business alive.”
- “You fall down seven, you get up eight. Sometimes multiple times a day.”
- “A dream worth chasing is one that brings joy to others.”
- “Confidence and resilience come from showing up—even on the hardest days.”
Takeaways:
- Family influences and early childhood dreams often resurface later in life
- Growth is exciting, but knowing your limits is just as important as expansion
- Success is measured not just in sales but in customer joy and impact
- Mentorship, faith, and asking for help are vital to building a sustainable business
- Creativity keeps the product fresh—and the dream alive
Connect with Guest:
• Website: https://www.northernneckpopcornbag.com/
• Instagram: @nnkpopcornbag
• Facebook: Northern Neck Popcorn Bag
Connect with Us:
• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher
• Stay updated on new episodes of Fanatical DreamHer: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/
• April’s email: april@fanaticaldreamher.com
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