Post by Charles Zackary King, MBA

Derrick & Tavia Jackson, Co-Founders, Popstarz Popcorn Where Gourmet Meets Greatness Every great brand begins with a moment, a spark, a season, a turning point that transforms an ordinary idea into an extraordinary mission. For Derrick and Tavia Jackson, that moment arrived in 2021, in the depths of a global pandemic that had stripped the world of joy, connection, and celebration. Determined not to let circumstances define their future, the couple made a decision that would alter the trajectory of their family's legacy forever: they launched Popstarz Popcorn. What began as a passion-fueled pursuit of "better memories" in the most difficult of times has since blossomed into one of the most celebrated gourmet food brands in the Charlotte Metropolitan area and increasingly, across the nation. Popstarz Popcorn is not simply a snack company; it is a philosophy, a promise, and a love letter to the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. At the heart of the Popstarz story is Derrick Jackson, United States veteran, disciplined leader, and visionary entrepreneur. Derrick's military service instilled in him values that no business school can teach: unwavering discipline, the ability to perform under pressure, deep respect for the mission, and a commitment to those under his charge. These qualities translate directly into his role as co-founder and business leader. Every small-batch kernel that leaves the Popstarz kitchen is a product of the same precision and pride that marked Derrick's years in uniform. His veteran identity is not a detail, it is a foundation. It is why Popstarz operates with the kind of integrity and excellence that has attracted corporate giants, sports franchises, and celebrities to their brand. Derrick Jackson served this country, and now he is serving his community, one extraordinary flavor at a time. Equally powerful is Tavia Jackson, entrepreneur, strategist, and visionary co-founder whose leadership has been instrumental in every chapter of the Popstarz story. As a woman entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, Tavia has navigated spaces that were not always designed with her in mind, and she has done so with boldness, elegance, and an unrelenting drive to win. Her fingerprints are on every aspect of the Popstarz brand, from the curation of flavors to the development of client relationships, from the visual identity of the company to the cultivation of partnerships that continue to expand its reach. #PopstarzPopcorn  #ABW  #AmericaInBlackAndWhite  #BlackOwnedBusiness  #VeteranOwned  #WomanOwned  #GourmetPopcorn  #SnackLikeAStar  #BlackEntrepreneur  #LegacyBuilding  #EntrepreneurLife  #CharlotteNC  #ConcordNC  #NorthCarolina  #BlackExcellence  #Season4  #Episode107  #FaithFamilyFlavor  #SmallBatchPopcorn  #200Flavors  #FortuneList  #BlackWealth  #CommunityFirst  #MinorityBusiness  #FundMisers  #MinorityProspects  #SchoolPartnerships