I'm the founder of The Popcorn Professor, an educator, entrepreneur, Army veteran, and someone who knows a thing or two about taking the unexpected route to your dreams.
My journey hasn't always followed a straight line.
I became a mother while pursuing my college education. There were pauses, pivots, and moments when the path forward looked very different from what I originally imagined. At 20, I joined the United States Army, and later returned to college with my daughter sometimes right there beside me in class.
In May 2022, I earned my doctorate.
But what I've learned along the way is that the milestones are only part of the story. It's the persistence, the people who encourage us, the opportunities we create, and the willingness to keep showing up that make the journey meaningful.
That same spirit lives in The Popcorn Professor.
What started as a creative gourmet popcorn business became an opportunity to bring people together through flavor, imagination, and experiences. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to serve universities, community organizations, and special events, turning an everyday snack into something memorable.
And somewhere along the way, I realized the connection between the popcorn I create and the work I've spent my career doing as an educator.
Every kernel holds potential.
But potential alone isn't always enough. The right environment, encouragement, opportunity, and persistence can make all the difference.
That's the heart of Persistence to POP.
Today, The Popcorn Professor is growing beyond gourmet popcorn into interactive experiences, storytelling, and educational engagement that celebrate creativity, entrepreneurship, resilience, and possibility.
Because sometimes the most meaningful part of the POP isn't what you create.
It's who you become along the way.