We recently had the chance to connect with Minke Richardson and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Minke , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
“Absolutely. As a business owner, I’ve learned that moving too fast can sometimes cost you more than waiting. There were moments I wanted to rush opportunities for KroyKorn, but I’m so glad I didn’t. The extra time allowed me to rebrand, improve our packaging, and strengthen our vision. What I thought was a delay ended up being the exact preparation I needed… and now, something big is brewing for October.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“I’m Minke Richardson, founder of KroyKorn Gourmet Popkorn, a snack brand I created with my now 12-year-old autistic son, Kroy. We go ‘Beyond Butter. Beyond Boring. Beyond Basic.’ with bold, fun flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake, Banana Puddin, and Kickin Kajun. What makes KroyKorn special isn’t just the taste—it’s our mission. We’re committed to offering healthier snack options for families, while also advocating for autism awareness and creating opportunities for my son to thrive as a young entrepreneur. Right now, we’re celebrating a major milestone: this October, we’ll be pitching our products to Walmart after being turned down last year. It’s been a journey of persistence, growth, and a whole lot of popcorn!”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world can’t tell me what to be. I’m a mother first, but I’m also a visionary who refuses to think small. I’m building a legacy brick by brick—one that will outlive me, empower my son, and inspire others to create their own path, no matter what the world tries to dictate.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were moments when the weight of running a business, raising my son, and facing setback after setback made me wonder if it was worth it. But every time I thought about walking away, I pictured my son Kroy watching me. I knew I couldn’t teach him resilience by quitting. So instead of giving up, I regrouped, rebranded, and came back stronger. Now I see that those ‘give up’ moments were actually the turning points that built my grit.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My son Kroy. His creativity, curiosity, and unfiltered ideas inspire so much of what we do at KroyKorn. I trust him completely—he’s my business partner and best friend, and I run everything by him. He hasn’t led us wrong yet, and his love of popcorn—especially his idea to create chocolate popcorn—is really bubbling thanks to his big, bold vision.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people will most misunderstand the sacrifices I’ve made. Building KroyKorn, raising my son, and chasing a vision takes countless unseen hours, hard decisions, and personal trade-offs. What looks effortless from the outside is actually the result of persistence, love, and a willingness to give everything to create something that truly matters.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.kroykorn.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/kroykorn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minke-richardson-02a88244?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/kroykorn
- Youtube: https://Www.youtube.com/kroykorn
Image Credits
Photos:
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
