I Bought A Failing Snack Company For $250K - Now It Brings In $103M A Year

[@lynwill9946]

Please do not change the ingredients. Keep it pure with coconut oil and no additives. It is such a tasty popcorn. Thank you.

[@sirij8784]

I hate that the kernels get stuck in my mouth 😅

[@ladyandthachef]

I agree that’s why I buy this popcorn 🍿

[@cupidok2768]

They say there's lead!!omg

[@Rihardololz]

@@cupidok2768 7:54

[@ca60453]

Hopefully no private equity firm do not buy them because they will change the ingredients for woe quality to increase profits.

[@scrappy291]

The lead update with the music and no verbal acknowledgment was hilarious

[@urgetodrive]

Srsly… that was a WTF moment.

[@peter65zzfdfh]

@@urgetodriveit’s always these sort of ‘organic’ brands that end up with things like lead etc, because organic doesn’t really mean free from harmful things, it just means free from ‘artificial’ things. And as it turns out there’s a lot of ‘natural’ things that are absolutely horrific for you, way worse than anything artificial that’s had to go through rigorous human safety testing. They often end up getting contaminated with arsenic etc as well, and due to how ineffective ‘natural’ insecticides are the sheer volume of ‘natural’ pesticides that don’t disqualify it from being ‘organic’ used can be huge.

[@Moskeeto]

@@peter65zzfdfh This is why I'm always skeptical of any product that proudly labels itself as "organic." Not to mention that from a scientific definition, most food is organic (carbon based) matter. I'd also sooner trust scientists in a lab to isolate harmful substances from the end product than someone who does everything the "natural" way.

[@TheLukasDirector]

​@@peter65zzfdfhGood luck explaining that to consumers in Portland!

[@katl8825]

Always wondered how popcorn makers control their popcorn shape. Now I know. Super cool to see a brand I buy frequently on here, well done to Charles and his team!

[@MyYoutubeHandIe]

What the heck was that nonchalant slide about how the product had high level of lead in its product with ZERO acknowledgement

[@Stantep]

Says they made plans to phase out the product that had lead.

[@henk-3098]

It's not like they put it in on purpose...

[@wolf34501]

is no their fault at all, is just the root itself that have at lot of lead that absorb it from the soil apparently , just new thing that was found recently (i think , i just starting reading about this )

[@Londa.G]

This is legit my favorite popcorn. Especially the Homer’s Blend.

[@mcphaulnotaryworldllc6377]

I buy this popcorn all the time. It is always on sale at Whole Foods. Congrats to this.

[@globalans]

How’s it taste?

[@SobberMacSobberMac]

All the "town" huh, not suspired....

[@fabiors10]

@@globalans nowhere near what you can make on your own home with a fraction of the cost. Just buy a popcorn pan and be happy.

[@gg-gn3re]

@@fabiors10 or an air popper or just throw it in a bowl in the microwave hahah so many ways to do it. The kernels in a giant jar are like 1 penny per bowl

[@firsthello7618]

⁠​⁠@@SobberMacSobberMacnot “suspired” huh? Not surprising…

[@elizabethwasdo7107]

Love seeing a local company featured! I always enjoy driving by their factory in Danbury when I’m out running errands. Such a fun, colorful building!

[@antoinelee-thomas9536]

This is the best bagged popcorn brand ever. I will not be told otherwise. Pink Himalayan Salt, Himalayan Gold, Oh My Ghee, and Fiery Hot are legit.

[@sirij8784]

Stick to salt and oh my ghee. Other flavors have additives

[@regularity2556]

Avocado is really good too

[@LokiTheGodofMischief]

I think Wegmans version tastes better

[@vanhanhtran]

The branding and packaging design looks amazing! Could you let me know who created it? I'd love the name of the packaging design providers. Thanks a lot!

[@coreybkr]

LesserEvil designs packaging in house :) We have a very creative art team. If you ever catch us at a food show or marketing event, I can promise our sticker game is just as great!

[@noble604]

I jumped on the bandwagon and tried your piña colada flavored popcorn much too late. 😥I often do this in life because I don’t purchase high end things easily, thinking I might not like them and have wasted my money. By the time I tried this one time, it was discontinued at my Whole Foods. I loved it. Please bring it back to southwestern PA. It’s delicious Thank you! 🍿

[@ShondaD_]

I just bought my first bag today and it’s really good. No bad oils and all that other crap. Thanks 😊

[@bpxl53yewz29]

I just tried their pumpkin spice popcorn yesterday! Like that they don’t use the cheap oils that are known to cause health problems.

[@ScottHess]

Uncommon ingredients like coconut oil? That’s all we used when I worked at a movie theater in the late 80’s.

[@zanibz7994]

This is a great popcorn and its cool to hear the story behind it and see the people behind building this brand - great video CNBC

[@JediBunny]

Pleeeeease make more Protein-based snacks! It can be really challenging to find anything close to Power Curls with similarly healthy ingredients - they’ve become my go-to snack!

[@MullerNita76]

*Your explanations are clear and straight forward It's always a honor to have you here as a mentor, I appreciate you for the time being spent to educate us financially. Regardless of how bad it gets the economy, I still makeover $28K every single week. I truly value Mary, and her helpful guides.*

[@MullerNita76]

The first step to successful investment is figuring your goals and risk tolerance either on your own or with the help of a financial professional but it's very advisable you make use of professional.

[@MuchParrill]

The first step to successful investment is figuring your goals and risk tolerance either on your own or with the help of a financial professional but it's very advisable you make use of professional.

[@MuchParrill]

I know Mary, she has really set the standard for others to follow, we love her here in the UK as she has been really helpful and changed lots of lives.

[@MersidaPezzillo]

Interesting! But I'm new here. How can I get to this person's guidelines??

[@MullerNita76]

SHE IS ON TELEGRAMs

[@joseph1150]

My dad always used coconut oil while making popcorn. Always used the same 1960s aluminium pot that he could quickly control the temperature with. Didn't need anything else other than a light sprinkling of salt. He still has it, he's been using it for making popcorn since he got married in 1969 and it was part of a wedding gift set.

[@TheHlumelo]

I'm from South Africa and I always watch these stories. Millions from selling popcorn. Such inspires me. I'll be a dollar billionaire too one day and I'm sure I'll be featured here. I believe 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@pedrozatravel]

Just waiting to hear your story, best of luck on your journey.

[@TheHlumelo]

@@pedrozatravel thank you so much 🥺

[@shabi8654]

🇿🇦

[@regina.phalange.]

is the first step moving to a country that has electricity?

[@YusufEbr]

Can't we solve the issues we have here? That's how you become wealthy. By solving issues. ​@@regina.phalange.

[@kylestengl8605]

Incredible! I cannot believe I'm seeing this video after taking a chance and buying the Himalayan Gold popcorn at Costco over Skinny Pop. I absolutely love the flavor, it was slightly cheaper in price, but it will most definitely be a staple in our office breakroom from now on! Keep up the great work!

[@BrigetteWaltershield]

The BIGGEST LIE You've Been Told About Money is that it doesn't grow on TREES!!

[@CamdenVanderlaan]

I agree with you!! Money actually grow on trees but only on trees that was planted by you!! These tress are referred to as investments. How you diversify your investment portfolio matters

[@Ahmed-gg4oz]

its 103m in revenue not profit

[@szaszm_]

I hope they added testing for heavy metals after the lead contamination.

[@lars2894]

Doubt it. High setup cost, higher prices, bad PR, and they probably don't care to be frank.

[@bbdbrokerage3524]

Well done.Thank you for sharing your story!

[@dianaP14]

I’d be retiring or working less in 5 years, and curious to know how best people split their pay, how much of it goes into savings, spendings or investments, I earn around $250k per year but nothing to show for it yet.

[@VanessaKirby-s1y]

money advice is subjective, what works for you may not work for me. I would suggest getting rid of any unnecessary purchases, especially things that cost you monthly, or better still consider financial advisory

[@KaitlynDeve]

Agreed, I'm quite lucky exposed to finance at early age, started full time job at 19, purchased first home 28. Going forward, got laid off 36 amid covid-outbreak and at once consulted an advisor. As of today, I'm just about 10% short of $1m after significant investments.

[@J.woltz48]

@@KaitlynDeve retired in my 40s after inheriting money from a childless relative, traveled overseas and found a girl almost my age, happily married but only issue is how to grow and preserve our wealth... think your advisor can be of help?

[@KaitlynDeve]

Can't divulge much here, I take guidance from a Pennsylvania-based advisor 'Karen Lynne Chess' and most likely, the internet is where to find her basic info, simply do your research.

[@katieiri]

curiously inputted Karen Lynne Chess on the web and at once spotted her consulting page, she seems highly professional from her resumé, thanks for leaving this here..

[@petertwining5729]

Awesome achievement, enjoyed the video Thankyou CNBC. 😊

[@bradd9903]

Hands down my favorite popcorn brand I have some in the pantry right now! Ghee is definitely their best flavor and tastes like buttery popcorn but is super hard to find

[@Brother_In_Christ]

8:35 It must feel good buying as much of your products as you like and getting most of the money back.

[@empressryuumi]

The "No Cheese" Cheesiness is my favorite from Lesser Evil! Bit too expensive to have regularly but a great treat every now and then!

[@CoryJonesMusic]

Now thats what you call POPPIN!!!

[@sstelevision6376]

This video is so random to me because these are the only snacks I eat lol. The Himilayan Salt popcorn is low carb, organic, and doesn't have vegetable oils or maltodextrin or sugar or any of the extra funky additives or preservatives put it most snacks. I was missing popcorn and chips when I started eating healthy and this was literally the only thing I could find that met all the criteria i was looking for. For some reason I pictured it being a much smaller operator because of its focus on being organic and very simple/natural ingredient but apparently not lol. The only problem I have, especially now, is that too often I feel like I will get a batch less flavorful than it should be. How much salt is used is too random of a variable. I've never bought one with too much salt but I've had plenty with too little salt, and when it's under-salted it almost tastes like nothing. Also, they can sometimes seem on the stale side, texture-wise, not health-wise. But because when I get a good batch, it's the perfect snack for me from an ingredient and taste standpoint I've been willing to risk the bad batches. I'd imagine if they fixed the quality control issues they could improve even more as a business. I also when if the drop in consistency of the quality I noticed occurred when this change in the business happened. Interesting story though.

[@TechOutAdam]

These are the entrepreneur version of How It's Made. That show was addicting as a kid and now this show is my addiction as an adult. PS. Lesser Evil has the best Pumpkin Spice popcorn ever. 🎃

[@MassDynamic]

kinda smoothed over the part that one of their products contained high levels of LEAD. lol

[@EnjoyingMyLife365]

I remember when the company was first opened in Tuckahoe NY in the early 2000's.

[@El_ii]

Very inspiring!!!!

[@ChintanCG]

Why didn't they address the lead situation in person

[@Jenvlogs404]

I LOVE the graphics and theme.

[@HD-fc4ds]

What’s this video for? Company for sued last year for claiming “being healthier than others” So he found bankrupt company somehow, (90% knew the owner), invested 250k. Is that bragging or what?

[@thyslop1737]

Great story. Next time I go to Wally World, which is almost never, I will buy a package. Good for them. They rolled the dice and it worked.

[@sciencegirl2012]

BEST popcorn out there!🔥 Each flavor of popcorn is well-seasoned, and you get an amazing amount of popcorn for just $3.99!👏

[@beckwilde]

Love when he pulls up a framed picture of Charles Guru with a big grin on his face!

[@somerandomfella]

Nice branding and packaging👌 Hope it comes to Australia too.

[@mynamemeanssweet]

This is the only brand of snacks I can eat due to food allergies. ❤️

[@1110karin]

i guess you aren't allergic to organic lead

[@SaraLoretta]

Obsessed with this brand. So glad you saved it ❤️

[@peekingintojocelynslife9987]

So cool 😎 love this pop corn love the way of your thinking and you wanted something more healthy 🙏🏼 .

[@DebraWilderMeditation]

I’d like to see numbers breakdown. A $4 bag of popcorn with one cent of product but then the foil bag costs more than that and running the factory.

[@4BluDolphins]

My Costco is always out, so I now order what I want directly through the company…$4.33 yes it's more than if I bought at a store…but it is delivered right to my door. Just got an order yesterday…please don't ever change the recipe for the Original……❤❤❤❤

[@suprafan246]

Lead in cassava flour?

[@GBrooks-u5j]

I adore this popcorn. I've only started eating it about 5 months before this video. I first discovered it in Sprouts but now I've noticed it EVERY WHERE. I'm loving the snack pack- however I'm wishing that the company would consider using more biodegradable packaging for the snack pack at least. Look into eco-packaging companies in Europe for those alternatives bc they may likely not exist (in wide options) in the US.

[@1110karin]

...how they glossed over organic lead

[@Countdracula6]

If you think about it, they could have omitted that entire statement... It was a short promotional video that benefits the company, finished with a positive statement about how they will continue to improve their products.

[@cole6989]

@@Countdracula6 A single product that has an ingredient the popcorn does not use.

[@dengers2866]

one of the best snacks you can have for yourself and your family. It is hard to find snacks that only uses Coconut oil or avocado oil.

[@ANIMALWITHART]

The fire ones are the absolute best 🔥

[@BrightOne444]

I Love your Ghee popcorn as it is! Would love to see a salt free popcorn soon!

[@HookemFishing]

My family and I love this brand of popcorn. My 3 year old gobs it up with a "ummm YUMMY" after. LOL

[@Undermineded-333]

I’m a hawk watcher not much escapes (u can’t manipulate a master)don’t nail it level it!!!!

[@maxinef6654]

Love 💕 their popcorn 🍿

[@teenytinyT]

There are not enough healthy snacks on the market. I am looking forward to the day this company's products come to Australia!

[@kennethfelipe823]

This popcorn is amazing. And it’s so clean.

[@tetsuoshima2314]

Best, popcorn, ever.

[@burmakara]

Hidden Manifestation by Oliver Mercer (thank me later)

[@Nom8d]

Get a life and stop scamming people by Me (thank me later)

[@JogBird]

i cant remember the last time i bought popcorn

[@noble604]

...... which isn’t a horrible thing. The markup on these few lil popcorn kernels has to be astronomical. 🚀🚀🚀

[@noble604]

wait. I just glanced at your name. I think I’ve seen you before. And, if memory serves me correctly, your comments are generally ridiculously racïst. I take back my comment to you here, if so lol.

[@noble604]

wait, don’t you typically post ridiculously racíst comments? If so, I take back anything I’ve said. I don’t talk to racísts 🥴

[@Rays91546]

So we just gonna skip over that statement about there being lead in the popcorn??

[@mrjohncrumpton]

That flour is used to make the bubbles in bubble tea too!

[@mastrshok]

Lil puffs snacks. Not popcorn. They should have done additional testing, but perhaps on the source of the flour and not phase out the flour completely

[@frankie9953]

not the popcorn, in the products that contain casava flour. Their popcorn does not contain casava flour.

[@chocolatecaramel4447]

I have started to eat this because Skinny Pop was becoming inconsistent in taste and quality. If you could have a lower salt version that would be wonderful. I buy the pink Himalayan plain one.

[@cyberpunked77]

We need more companies that make real food.

[@sharongillesp]

Love their popcorn 🍿💛🧡💛❤️‍🔥

[@denissed3215]

The best good and tasty popcorn. Been buying it for 4 years now. Thank you sir for such a great product

[@Suburp212]

It must smell so good at that factory.

[@pastranaWade]

I am grateful to Lord Jesus for the gift of life and blessings extended to me and my family, which warms my heart. It's wonderful to hear about my monthly profit of $324K. May the blessings continue to thrive in my life! Amen

[@jarrodekiphotos]

Stocks and Forex - an enlightened form of Investment,n the place where millionaires and future billionaires would come for motivation. You are seriously missing out if you have never been in one. Most importantly If you know how to trade you can make a ton of money no matter where you find yourself

[@GijsVerhoek-w1m]

I'm favoured, $43K every week! I can now give back to the locals in my community and also support God's work and the church. God bless Lee Davis

[@Cindyp-c]

Wow. I'm a bit perplexed seeing him been mentioned here also Didn't know he has been good to so many people too this is wonderful, I'm in my fifth trade with him and it has been super

[@hackenbergqhoming]

This sounds so good andi would like to be a party to this, is there any wayl can speak with him?

[@RandyHorn-2]

A good friend of mine also does business with him in Canada. he is a good man! Him good works already speak for himself.

[@Darrck]

The amount of bots in the comments praising the company and writing full articles is embarrassing

[@varunbansal203]

I saw Neem Karori baba photo at the back of his table . So good to see that .

[@ChristophBackhaus]

How bad his job must have been that being a business owner seemed like the more chill job...

[@vanessatrinh9793]

It’s really difficult to achieve this success despite knowing all the numbers in advance and using all the wits and training they have.

[@johnl2727]

Popcorn and spaghetti are the two food I think are extremely overpriced to purchase. Spaghetti especially in a restaurant.

[@PharmTech_TN]

Love this popcorn brand...very tasty.

[@dust195]

This comment section is full of bots advertising their love of the brand. I'm not a conspiracy theorist or Schizophrenic, but rather certain that you won't be losing anything of value by just closing this and moving on with your day.

[@deniss.6205]

He looks happy. That's what matters.

[@testthewest123]

Can anyone tell me the calories per 100g? Because I am not sure what a "serving" actually means.

[@FunInTheSun808]

Hope he pays the employees well ❤️

[@sidk9231]

I see Neem Karoli Baba´s photo there!🙏

[@TheTechCguy]

Classic example of risk creating reward. 👌😎💯

[@rollerboogie]

Popcorn is so incredibly cheap. The margins on this must be insane.

[@lcc726]

Love the kettle corn himalayen sweetness is my fave

[@StephieOmbre]

my animation professor brought these tinier bags of this popcorn in and ofc I looked at the label bc I have I have celiac and this is a really good popcorn id say its just as good as boom chicka tbh

[@JasonB808]

103 million a year in gross sales? Tell me how much it is after taxes, lease of factory building, Electricity, Paying employees, etc..

[@ottottotto980]

14.4 EBITDA

[@Sjon_E]

True, many "successful" businesses are in net-negative revenue.

[@jonny-b4954]

They do. It's 14.4 EBITDA

[@bevwest7428]

Can you come up with packaging that isn’t so harmful to the environment?

[@derrickomlor7449]

Great tasting pop corn but at this price point a resealable bag is in order. Otherwise I just don’t buy more because I don’t like to waste.

[@AeroMedic]

I love all lesser evil snacks.

[@ToddDolce]

I can appreciate this story and the path taken to turn the company around but sadly to me,..at the end of the day,...calories are calories and these are just empty calories and not something that I want to waste my daily intake allotment on. No thank you. It doesn't matter how great or trendy the type of oil being used is,....calories do not lie. For those that must snack or have been blessed with an insane metabolism,....go for it! For the rest of the population,...it will always be off limits.

[@ChaseHub]

On pace to do $165 million this year? With that kind of valuation? I'm out.

[@cassieoz1702]

A license to snack constantly is killing people

[@r5LgxTbQ]

the coconut oil popcorn caught me off guard one time, never again 🤮

[@globalismoblackman]

This dude is a hustler baller 🙌 👏 👌

[@samanthadonaldson2246]

Jobs will pay your bills, business will make you rich but investment makes and keep you wealthy! I pray everyone here becomes successful!

[@markdamascus7878]

If you don’t find a means of multiplying your money, you will wake up one day to realize that the money you thought you had, had exhausted. Investment is a ladder to climb the financial wall.

[@michaelandrenio993]

This video got me hooked, and now I’m determined to become a billionaire in just two years! 💪💰

[@claresmithy4667]

That's great! I'm motivated too! How can we achieve this challenge?

[@madiezancanellatl9205]

She's active on face book @

[@travelchoice89]

Wow, what an incredible turnaround story! 🚀💼 From a failing snack company to a $103M success! 🥳🍿 This is so inspiring and shows the power of determination and smart business strategies. 💪

[@Emilya-A]

thrive market has space balls that's the best

[@adilmame]

I thought a popcorn 🍿 becomes soggy and hard to eat after an hour or two ….. or is this different

[@gamooor1386]

Watermelon hibiscus is a game changer!

[@sarabethflowerslewis8883]

LesserEvil's HOMER'S BLEND is the best popcorn on the planet

[@MrLarrythehacker]

Okay but are we just gonna ignore the high levels of lead part though?

[@ramzic]

Previous owner watching from the side like 😢

[@shaneoneil894]

They basically made a whole new company

[@thewebstylist]

So who/what graphic company or artist came up w the Buddha graphics and brand look?!