Our story
How the Co-Founders Got Things Poppin'
Co-founders DJ and Matt didn’t originally plan to start a gourmet popcorn brand. At the time Matt and DJ connected, Matt was a 20-year residential real estate veteran. Things were going well, but deep inside, Matt’s inner voice was nagging away at him, trying to persuade him to stop chasing commissions and, instead, put his efforts toward catching his dream job.
In all honesty, Matt didn’t need persuading, just a push. His heart had long determined he wanted a career that would put a smile on his face as well as on the face of the people he served. Finally, Matt’s head and heart were on the same page of what the next chapter of his life would look like. But not knowing what that dream job he was longing for actually was, Matt went with his heart – and his head – and turned the page.
DJ started High Five with the Flash Flood brand in 2017. But, like Matt, he didn’t feel it was going anywhere. Something was missing from the recipe. Once this dynamic duo decided to put their business sense and cents together, it soon became clear that DJ was the savory to Matt’s sweet. What DJ lacked, Matt made up for – and vice versa. That’s when things started heating up.
DJ and Matt’s first collaborative venture was a fudge company. Things were going well but they felt it needed something.
Pop-a-Licious: A Mistake Gone Right
You know the saying, “No need to reinvent the wheel when you can simply roll with the one that already exists? That was Matt and DJ’s thought when they decided to add popcorn to their menu and discovered that a popcorn company in California was up for sell. Unfortunately, the deal didn’t suit their tastes. Although the deal didn’t stick, the idea of adding popcorn to their business model did. They returned from California and got to work on building their own gourmet popcorn company investing their own money in the equipment and materials needed.
Matt invested time cooking up a variety of popcorn flavors. They tested over 5,000 bags on family and friends to be sure each recipe passed their test of excellence in quality and taste. With a handful of flavors to start, they launched Pop-A-Licious during the tough economic market of 2021 and haven’t looked back.
DJ is the face of the brand and you can frequently find him at events, tradeshows, and in the Las Vegas Ball Park. They are the official popcorn brand of the Las Vegas Aviators as well as team sponsors. He makes sure to keep the deals – and their events – popping.
Matt handles the finances along with the recipes and the design work.
When it comes to creating custom flavors, DJ’s gift is knowing just what the customer’s tastebuds demand. They did a customized flavor for Planet 13, Nevada’s largest dispensary. Matt handles making sure the flavor’s a perfect match for their needs. They’ve been successful the first time every time so far, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to make adjustments if needed.
Playing Favorites
The favorite part of the business for Matt is seeing their product put a smile on their customers’ faces. That’s why, although they appreciate the convenience stores that carry their popcorn, and they love working at the stadium, their favorite thing is catering to events. It gives them more direct contact and a chance to see first-hand what their work is doing to brighten people’s days.
DJ’s favorite part of the job is the people he gets to meet. He loves promoting the brand and getting people to try flavors they might never try otherwise.
From the animated team members donning the brand colors in their hair, to watching your favorite flavor pop to life, that small moment is going to be one of the biggest highlights of your day.
Popcorn for a Cause
They work with organizations like the Community Counseling Center and the Opportunity Village, providing popcorn and sponsorships for their events. They donated all of the popcorn to a charity putting on a production of the Lion King specifically targeted toward special needs.
It may sound corny, but the business takes a backseat to what DJ and Matt love most: making a difference in people’s lives. They invest their profits in a variety of causes by donating popcorn to support nonprofit events and organizations.
Who knows, the same way Matt and DJ came together to form a
business, who’s to say they someday may not join forces with the causes they
believe in. Perhaps establishing a petting zoo to fund their work while also
providing therapy and training opportunities for special needs or underemployed individuals. Now wouldn’t that just be Pop-A-Licious?