Day 22 of Black history Month
With just $53 to her credit, Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn‘s creator De Juana Lozada created a snack product company, and today her popcorn is becoming more and more popular. According to KXAN Austin, Lozada established her company seven years ago. She presently manages it from the Soul Made Collective, a store in the Arboretum retail center in north Austin.
The highlighted flavors of Soul Popped are inspired by a variety of soul dishes, including fried chicken, smoky bbq, and chicken and waffles. Each distinct taste created by Lozada is intended to symbolize Black American culture.
“We all have grandmas, mamas, and aunties that when we go to their house, you can taste the love in their food, right?” Lozada said. “I can pretty much make popcorn taste like whatever I want. It’s a superpower. Don’t ask me to explain that because I cannot. It’s just what I do.”
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ca-tJgVlfYS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
After a terrible occurrence that resulted in a costly medical bill, Lozada abruptly switched from manufacturing jewelry to making popcorn full-time. She owed $2 million in medical bills after being given the diagnosis of adenomyosis, a rare uterine ailment.
Lozada started her business with the $53 she had at the time, the only money she had, and set up shop in her Vehicle after purchasing everything else she needed. Lozada is fundraising to move her growing brand to a larger space. – Steve Sijenyi
