Cheryl Hughes has loved eating popcorn since she was a little girl, especially caramel corn. When she learned that her favorite popcorn snack shop at Kearney’s Hilltop Mall would be closing in 2000, she decided to take action. “My initial goal was to continue to offer caramel popcorn to the area,” Cheryl said. Nearly 20 years later, Cheryl and Gary Hughes’ HR Poppin’ Snacks Gourmet Popcorn pops more than 20,000 pounds of popcorn seeds annually from their production shop in Gibbon. They sell their popcorn in more than 135 flavors at stores around the country. Their stellar customer service, high-quality round popcorn and willingness to share and give back have helped them become a rural Nebraska success story. “I am able to help people a lot through this business,” Cheryl said. “You wouldn’t think that selling popcorn would allow you to do that.” Gary and Cheryl Hughes Starting a popcorn business When the Munchville snack shop owner announced he was closing his Hillto...
Welcome to the BuyNebraska.com Blog! The GROW Nebraska® Foundation was founded with the idea of expanding resources to businesses and entrepreneurs alike to make a sustainable living anywhere within the state of Nebraska. As a 501(c) 3 educational foundation, the GROW Nebraska® Foundation was founded in 1998 and now works to extend resources, training, a brick-and-mortar store, as well as an eCommerce site full of Nebraska products to help elevate Nebraska-based businesses.