Ginger Frank, Founder & CEO
Poppyhandcraftedpopcorn.com
PPAI 907875
How did your company get its start?
In 2014, Poppy began as a small retail popcorn shop in Asheville, North Carolina. At the time, my ambitions were simple: Make delicious popcorn, hope people would come through the door to buy it, create more flexibility for myself as a single mom raising two young children, and earn enough to cover the bills while building a better future for my family.
Over the years, that small shop grew far beyond anything I imagined. After several moves and many milestones along the way, we relocated into a 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in late 2024. Today, Poppy products can be found with retail partners across the country, as well as our direct-to-consumer website.
While we’ve grown tremendously, our mission remains the same as it was on day one: Create exceptional products, bring a little joy to people’s day and build a company we’re proud of.
What led your company to enter the branded merch market?
Over the years, we received countless requests for custom packaging, but our previous facility simply didn’t give us the flexibility to pursue those opportunities. We were operating at capacity and selling everything we could make, so it was difficult to shift production for shorter runs or one- off projects.
When we designed our new facility, we intentionally built it with this type of partnership in mind. Custom packaging allows us to work with companies and organizations that align with our values, tell unique stories and connect with customers we might not otherwise have the opportunity to reach.
What we love most about these projects is how personal they are. They allow us to combine creativity, storytelling and exceptional product quality in a way that feels authentic to both brands. For our partners, it’s an opportunity to offer their customers, employees, members or event attendees something that is high- quality, memorable and uniquely their own – all at a reasonable price point.
It’s truly a win-win. We get to feed the creative side of Poppy while helping our partners create meaningful connections through a product that people genuinely enjoy.
What’s your favorite thing about being in the branded merch industry?
One of the features we love most about our custom packaging program is that it gives companies the opportunity to tell their story. Whether it’s sharing information about an event they’re sponsoring, highlighting their commitment to supporting small businesses, celebrating a milestone, recognizing employees or simply communicating what makes their organization unique, every package becomes an extension of their brand.
Ginger Frank
Founder & CEO, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn
I think that’s one of the things that makes our program different. We’re not just putting a logo on a bag – we’re helping our partners tell a story and create a connection with the people receiving it.
Personally, I love getting a behind-the-scenes look at these organizations. I enjoy learning how they show up for their customers, employees and communities, and I often walk away with ideas that inspire me as a business owner. Every order is different. Every story is different. That’s what makes this work so rewarding and why it’s become one of my favorite parts of what we do.
Why did you join PPAI?
I honestly didn’t even know PPAI existed until I reached out to learn more about The PPAI Expo. As a new vendor entering the promotional products space, I was simply looking for information about the event. Through that conversation, I learned more about the organization, the membership and the resources available to suppliers like us.
Joining was a no-brainer. We’re still very new to this industry and learning as we go. The deeper I dig, the more I realize there is to learn, and PPAI provides access to an incredible range of tools, resources, education and connections that can help us navigate the space more effectively.
What stood out to me most, though, was how relational it feels. Relationships have always been a cornerstone of Poppy’s success. We believe great businesses are built through genuine connections with customers, partners, employees and communities. The culture of PPAI felt very aligned with that philosophy, which made becoming a member an easy decision for us.
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