"She Built a Popcorn Empire by Refusing to Quit" Dr G's story with PopKorn with a Twist | S11E2

In an episode that goes far beyond food, Dr. Virginia Githiri tells us how she built her popcorn empire, Popkorn! Kernels with a Twist, but also doles out incredible life advice throughout our conversation. Be sure to check them out at their new location at Colstone Square, right by Gable's Bagels and Little Italy Market! You can also order online for pick up or delivery at popkorntwist.com Support the podcast, join our Patreon for exclusive merch, perks, and content:   / nodishes   Original theme song by Lew Bruno Chapters 00:00 Handmade Popcorn & Going Above and Beyond 01:30 Dr. G Returns to No Dishes 02:21 What’s New With PopKorn with a Twist? 03:18 The New East Third Street Location 03:59 How a Super Bowl Party Started It All 04:41 When the First Popcorn Business Didn’t Work 05:02 Don’t Give Up on the Idea 06:11 When an Idea Just Won’t Leave You Alone 07:17 Building an Incredible Team 07:58 Customer Experience Is Everything 09:58 Underpromise & Overdeliver 11:42 Shipping Popcorn Across the Country 12:30 Becoming IU’s Popcorn Producer 13:11 Why You Can Never Stop Building Relationships 14:44 From 20 Bags to 3,000-Bag Orders 16:19 How Dr. G Built Her Business Relationships 18:18 Thinking Like a Future Global Brand 19:16 You Have to Be a Little “Delulu” 20:41 Getting Ghosted, Rejected & Hearing “No” 23:25 Plant the Seeds and Keep Going 25:31 Perspective, Gratitude & Self-Belief 28:12 Dr. G’s Morning Meditation Routine 30:01 What Makes PopKorn with a Twist Different? 31:35 Gourmet Popcorn & the “Price Is the Price” 32:07 How They Choose Their Flavors 34:06 What REAL Caramel Popcorn Tastes Like 36:49 The Wildest Popcorn Flavors 38:44 Taste Testing Gets Dangerous 39:44 Why PopKorn with a Twist Moved 41:11 Building a Customer Base Beyond IU Students 42:16 The Impact of Moving Closer to Campus 43:22 Expanding Store Hours 43:40 Building the Right-Sized Team 44:28 The Hard Part of Caring About Your Employees 45:48 Selling Premium Products in a Tough Economy 46:21 Competing With Amazon Expectations 47:49 Learning That Less Can Be More 48:29 “All Money Ain’t Good Money” 49:14 Dr. G’s Incredible Education Journey 51:41 From Hospital Controller to PhD 52:36 Becoming an IU Professor 53:41 Teaching Students About More Than School 56:54 Radical Honesty & Clear Communication 58:13 Dr. G’s New Book: $10 a Bag 59:21 A Lifetime of Entrepreneurship 1:00:24 The Story Behind $10 a Bag 1:01:08 PopKorn’s Official IU Flavor 1:02:11 Dr. G’s Favorite Bloomington Restaurants 1:04:22 Bloomington Pizza Talk 1:05:14 Chocolate Moose Gets Dr. G’s Approval 1:06:12 Why Bucceto’s Is Underrated 1:07:12 Coffee, Confidence & Self-Efficacy 1:08:26 Discipline vs. Work Ethic 1:09:34 This Became More Than a Popcorn Episode 1:10:13 Purpose, Legacy & Helping Other People 1:11:02 “I Don’t Expect Anything. I’m Grateful for Everything.” 1:12:03 The Work People Never See 1:13:29 Where to Find PopKorn with a Twist 1:13:48 Closing