Meet Nicola Poplin | Entrepreneur, Owner of Pop’s Famous Foods

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

Hi Nicola, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was in the process of resigning from my job as a principal and decided i wanted to work for myself. I was recovering from back to back concussions and realized my medical issues were not a result of happenstance. The universe gave me limes so i decided to make guacamole. My friends were always asking me how i made certain dishes but the guacamole hit them different. One of them was hiding behind the kitchen counter trying to scrape the remaining guac out of the bowl and right then and there, i knew i had something special. I applied for my LLC as Pop’s Famous Foods because i knew i wasnt going to stop with just guacamole. Pop’s Famous Guac is the first product and the name and design came from my nickname and an idea i had to make a character that looked like me as an avocado.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pop’s Famous Foods is a passion project that was buried deep underneath family obligations and a whole bunch of fear. Finally, after getting knocked upside my head, I decided to resign from my job as an educator and pursue happiness and the joy of working for myself. Although I had this dream for over 20 years, I didnt have a concrete idea of how to launch, until covid hit. One day, after deciding to resign, I had a few friends over to celebrate being together after the first wave hit. I was sitting at my dining room table laughing and drinking with the girls and I couldn’t locate one of my friends. After calling out her name and basically organizing a search party, we found her hiding behind the kitchen counter with her finger scraping the guacamole bowl. This was when I knew i had something special. My skills and education were grounded in education so I had no idea how to start so i googled it. I learned how to start my LLC, obtain a Food Manufacturing license, Food Safety License and how to acquire a commercial kitchen venue. Once the pieces came into position, the universe literally put opportunities in my path. I did a few vending events and met someone that loved my guac. She just happened to be the event coordinator for one of the premier event locations in downtown Hartford. She gave me my start at a food truck festival and I put on the full court press. I literally walked up to people and said the most ridiculous and corny taglines to garner attention. Once they smiled or laughed, I invited them to try my guac. Once they had a taste, they were hooked. Once word got out, I was able to get spots at several farmers markets. I started this journey in October 2020 but due to covid and several other personal reasons, I wasn’t mentally or physically ready to push until late June of 2022. On July 3rd, I met the event coordinator and 3 months later, I am able to pay my bills, take care of my family and invest in the infrastructure of my business. I am so delightfully proud of my guac. I love love love watching people eat my guac. They sing, dance, smile, laugh, clap, spin, jump…someone even ran. Their reactions are the reason why I love what i do. I honestly have my best days when someone makes me laugh out loud after one taste. I am truly humbled. One might ask how I got here or what’s next but i truly let the universe guide me. I manifested my company with positive thoughts and intentions so the next steps will be whatever the universe puts in my path. If i get an opportunity, I dont sleep on it…I pounce. I see every chance as an invitation from God to “get on it”. I take great pride in saying that my guac is the best guacamole EVER! It defies science, in that it lasts for at least 6 to 7 days, without the use of artificial additives or preservatives. If that is not divine, i dont know what is!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to my kitchen, that’s the first stop. I am British with West Indian upbringing and for some reason, I make the best guacamole, fettucine alfredo, lettuce wraps and pollo de horno!! I am literally the international food aisle at the local grocery store. After i full their belly, I’d take them to my favorite yoga studio in West Hartford, then down the street to Doro for the best chocolate croissants. We’d go downtown and walk to the Riverfront and cross the bridge to East Hartford, visit the Rose Garden in Elizabeth Park and then watch an outdoor movie at Saint Joseph University. I love Bushnell Park so in the summer, we’d ride the carousel or in the winter ice skate. Well, I’d watch them skate because i have an intense fear of falling and breaking my toes…for the third time. For live music, we’d go to the Flying Monkey or Rooftop 120. I don’t drink but I’d take them to Carbone’s for the best meal of their life. I’ve never had swordfish so tender. Then its off to the dispensary for some fresh “greenery” and perhaps a gummie or three. If you’re in CT you have to visit Foxwoods to gamble and shop at the outlets. And of course we’d hit the daily farmers markets so we can eat fresh and healthy foods and support our local artisans.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I know this is cliche but my whole family deserves a major shout out. And not just my immediate family, like my parents, son and brother but cousins, nephews and god-daughters. When I am promoting or vending, my mother, father, nephew and brother, when he’s in town, are there with me. My son helps by handling the payments. Two of my nephews are helping to either promote/sell the product in the DMV and make IG/FB/TT videos. My sister is my biggest and best customer. She shares pictures to her social media with her eating her guac in the most hilarious of places, even at the hairdresser while under the dryer. I have a cousin that is allergic to avocados but she loves her guac so i put additional lime juice in hers so she doesnt need benadryl after. My family members were my best customers and they still are. I can’t forget my friends that encouraged me to dream big and put PFG out there. It really was a community of people. Last but not least, I have got to shout out my mentor, Ashon. When I am feeling empty and drained, this dude fires me up.

Website: www.popsfamousfoodsllc.com

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