[Expo West Series] Purposeful Innovation And Family-Driven Entrepreneurship

Jasmin von Teichman is the Co-founder and CEO of Purplesful Popcorn, a company dedicated to creating healthy, antioxidant-rich purple corn popcorn while donating 25% of profits to children’s nutrition charities. Purplesful has achieved widespread growth in both Canada and the US, including a significant launch into 400 Kroger stores, and is on a mission to donate $5 million over the next five years. Her work reflects a commitment to community, family values, and creating products that give back.

Anna Cobb is the Founder and CEO of O’Kra, the world’s first sparkling okra water brand redefining wellness through culture and innovation. A plant scientist turned entrepreneur, she launched O’Kra after surviving a life-threatening allergic reaction to a synthetic energy supplement. Anna reimagines functional beverages as both beneficial and luxurious, blending ancestral ingredients with modern beauty standards. Leading a family-driven business, she is bringing culturally rooted wellness into the mainstream.

Maxine Henderson is the Founder and CEO of Bollygood, an Indian-inspired sparkling beverage brand bringing the flavors of nimbu pani to a modern audience. Drawing from her grandmother’s recipe, she reimagines the traditional drink as a better-for-you sparkling lemonade with less sugar and clean ingredients. An electrical engineer turned entrepreneur, Maxine blends cultural heritage with innovation while growing a family-supported business.

Sean Davis is the Co-founder of Evil Snacks, a better-for-you snack brand reimagining traditional chips with innovative ingredients like oyster mushrooms. He emphasizes delivering exceptional taste and texture while incorporating functional benefits like increased fiber. He is also the Founder of Nude Mints, the world’s first functional 2-in-1 breath & gut mint. With a background in brand building, product development, and retail distribution, Sean is passionate about creating consumer products that balance functionality, taste, and experience.

In this episode…

Behind every great product is a story. And at Expo West, many of the most compelling brands aren’t just built on innovation, but on purpose, heritage, and the people behind them. What happens when entrepreneurship is fueled not just by market opportunities, but by family values, cultural roots, and a desire to give back?

This episode highlights founders who are blending personal mission with product innovation in meaningful ways. From a popcorn company donating a significant portion of profits to children’s charities to a beauty-forward beverage inspired by ancestral ingredients and built alongside multiple generations of family, these brands are redefining what it means to build with intention. Others are reimagining traditional recipes and transforming them into modern, better-for-you beverages that honor their origins while meeting today’s health standards. Even in the snack aisle, founders are pushing boundaries with unexpected ingredients like oyster mushrooms, proving that better-for-you products can still deliver on taste, texture, and craveability.

On this episode of the Firebelly Social Show, Duncan Alney connects with founders at Expo West who are building brands rooted in purpose, powered by family, and inspired by culture. From charitable snack companies to heritage-driven beverages and innovative functional foods, this conversation showcases how today’s entrepreneurs are creating products that don’t just sell — they tell stories, bring people together, and make a meaningful impact.