Meet Casey May | Co-Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Casey May and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casey, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
There are a variety of reasons why we and our company have succeeded thus far, but the more note worthy habits would be determination, persistence, having the willingness to work 16 hour days, and living frugally. I cannot express the importance of the last one enough, we only bought necessities and lived well below our means to pour every dime back into the company. That is a habit anyone starting their own business should instill.

What should our readers know about your business?
Knotty Pretzels is more than just another company, we aren’t owned by a huge corporation and we try to stay as wholesome as our backstory. I started Knotty Pretzels with my best friend, Sean. I met Sean in a business class in high school (we laugh at that to this day) and we’ve been inseparable since. Him and I worked various jobs throughout high school and college and if there was one thing we knew for certain, it was that we did not want to work for someone else but build something lasting for ourselves and families. We knew we wanted to own a business, but what business? We sat down over a bowl of Italian seasoned pretzels Sean’s “Mom Mom” made and we assessed our talents and skills. We weren’t really astounding at anything particular, I loved to talk and Sean loved to cook. What could we do? Then we took another handful of pretzels and the rest is history.

We started bringing the pretzels to social events, parties, and passed them out at gifts. Where we made our huge break was with beer industry. We realized beer drinkers loved pretzels. We started vending at beer festivals nationwide then eventually into the breweries themselves and that is how we became “The Official Pretzel of Beer”. From those sales we were able to expand facilities letting us produce larger quantities to fulfill larger orders and allowing us to supply to larger stores and grocery markets.

Since the start of the company the snack food industry has expanded and consistently coming out with new trending flavors, new companies, and new brands of pretzels, but we stand apart from them all. We are most proud that our product is all natural with absolutely no artificial flavorings and has an entirely clean label. Most snack foods spray the “flavoring’ onto the snack food. We take our seasonings and oil and infuse our pretzel dough creating a more flavor filled bite.

Like most start-ups, it hasn’t been an easy road. This company was built on sleepless nights, long work days, sweat, and tears. Just when you think your feet are caught up, more gets added to your plate. It’s a long and never ending road especially if you plan to keep growing and expanding like we do. My best advice is do what you can, when you can. Overcome challenges step by step. If you hear the word no, try again, try another approach, be innovative, take risks, try, try, try until you find a solution instead of being complacent. Don’t be afraid to seek help from other professionals and never turn away advice.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This city is full of great eateries, brunch spots, and places to hang. I would, without a doubt, take them to see Atlanta United FC at the Benz Stadium. Walk along the beltline to see the art, do some shopping at Ponce City Market, and visit the breweries. Spend a day at The Battery Atlanta, a day at the Atlanta Aquarium, and a day on Lake Lanier , A few “musts” to eat at would be La Cubana, Agave, The Vortex, Heirloom Barbecue, Full Commission, Canoe, and Ray’s on the River, I’m a lover a speakeasies so I would have to bring them to The Bureau, Eleanor’s, JoJo’s Beloved, or Red Phone Booth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our biggest shoutout would be to Mom Mom (Co-Founder’s Grandmother) whom is no longer with us. Without her love, encouragement, and greatest Italian pretzel recipe ever created (our original flavor), Knotty Pretzels wouldn’t even exist.

Website: knottypretzels.com

Instagram: @KnottyPretzels

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnottyPretzels