In December 2024, Party City, announced it was closing after being in business for nearly 40 years. The news hit hard for not only consumers, but also entrepreneurs such as Tanesha Sims-Summers.
As the co-owner of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co., a Birmingham-based business she built from scratch, Tanesha couldn’t help but take the news personally. Watching a giant fall after decades of success made her pause and reflect. What went wrong for them? And, more importantly, could her own business face the same fate?
Then, she asked herself the hard questions: Was she running her own business based on her feelings or based on the numbers.
But the faith, drive and passion within her told her she was on the right path and to keep going.
“I’m just not at that point where I’m ready to throw in the towel, even at the roughest moment because it’s a burning desire within me to live out the purpose for this business,” she said. “That’s why we say, ‘Poppin’ with a purpose. Sweeter together.’ ”
That determination is what Tanesha used to start Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. in 2014 from home, traveling to various events with a trailer and a kettle. Today, her sweet and salty kettle corn company has grown with a food truck; a production center and storefront in Woodlawn; online sales; community initiatives; fundraising opportunities; local delivery; catering; gift boxes; and business awards. Her husband, Clem, joined her in 2020 to run the business as a dynamic duo, creating a family culture of entrepreneurship.
Still, Tanesha knows that staying in business means staying vigilant.
“For me, as a founder, it’s keeping my ears to the street and always being open, learning and growing and not being comfortable,” Tanesha said. “It’s also about relationships and making sure that my actions are focused on our true goals and intention, and it aligns with my strategic plan for growth.”
Below, Tanesha offers a few tips for growth.
- Put in the work, no matter how long you’ve been in business
Even though Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. has existed for a decade, Tanesha cannot assume people know the company. She continues to reintroduce the brand through personal connections, “old school” phone calls and community engagement. “We want to be a Birmingham staple and favorite, but we want people all over the world to experience Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn Co., and as a result, they will experience the essence of Birmingham,” she said. She affectionately calls her customers and supporters, “Popheads.”
- Revamp your online image
Tanesha has been reviewing the online experience her consumers have when visiting her website, http://www.nbnkettlecorn.com, and she is working to adjust a few things to improve the user’s experience. Her website’s e-commerce aspect was created during the pandemic, and a lot has changed since then. “We’ve always had a website, but e-commerce is a different beast,” she said. “You really have to understand how your users buy and make the process seamless. People don’t want to have to do calculations and figure out how to put something in a cart.”
- Expand your network
Always be open to learning new things in running a business or making that dream a reality. In January 2014, Tanesha enrolled in the second cohort of Co.Starters, which is a multi-week course on how to be better in business or give life to a business idea. Now, she will be on the other end of Co.Starters, leading sessions that will be held at the Bessemer Library, March 31 to June 9 2025. The time will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Go here for more info and to register.
- Get creative
For years, Tanesha’s company has celebrated Jan. 19 as National Popcorn Day. All week, she’s offered consumers a special discount on orders. Today, all online orders will receive a 30 percent off discount. Orders can be made here. Her company started with three flavors. Today, she offers eight flavors, plus fresh and fun seasonal flavors. She can also customize flavors. For example, one year, she partnered with Eugene’s Hot Chicken in Birmingham and used his spices to create a spicy popcorn and sell it for a limited time.
- Hard work pays off
Since she’s been in business, has received recognition for its work. Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. was a finalist in REV Birmingham’s The Big Pitch competition in 2015, winning $5,000 for second place; Tanesha received the New Entrepreneur Award from the Birmingham Chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier International in 2019; Tanesha was selected as a Birmingham Business Journal Top 40 under 40 in 2020; Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. was named Minority Business of the Year in 2021; Tanesha was a Goldman Sachs 10KSB Graduate in 2021; Tanesha was in the 2023-2024 Leadership Birmingham class; and she became a member of the Les Dames Birmingham chapter in 2024. She served as a vendor during The Birmingham World Games in 2022 and Major League Baseball at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues in 2024.
Savor This! Tanesha said an entrepreneur must be willing to go through the fire, get real with themselves and make sacrifices to make things work in business.
“All it takes is one more customer, one event, one referral to turn things around,” said Tanesha, 43. “So, I’m working in changing my actions and my perspectives. And if we are not supposed to keep operating, I’ll accept it. But in the meantime, nothing has stopped me from not operating. I will keep going.”
The storefront is located at 5831 First Ave. North, just down the street from Woodlawn High School. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. They are open on Fridays by appointment.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, AL. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her food postings on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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