EMILY O'BRIEN OF COMEBACK SNACKS: a CommUNITY Catchup on sustainable business
Comeback Snacks blends unique ingredients to make compellingly delicious recipes that offer a fresh take on gourmet popcorn, made with conviction. From outlaws to outreach, spreading the truth one kernel at a time! Comeback Snacks believes in second chances, and is working on providing reintegration opportunities and educate the public through a variety of fun and educational awareness campaigns.
I met Founder, Emily O’Brien, a few years ago at a restaurant launch when I was a freelance food writer at Post City Magazine and was immediately drawn to her energy. What I didn’t know, is that she was moving through a life-changing experience. She was sentenced to four years in federal prison, after mixing with the wrong crowd and substances, attempting to import narcotics into Canada. Ever watch popcorn being made at the movie theatre? How the kernels grow and emerge from the pot, piping hot? In Emily’s case, prison was the pot where she founded Comeback Snacks – a healthy popcorn company with an aim to provide reintegration opportunities for ex-offenders.
What I leatned was that dream interpretations of popcorn suggest that a project or task is underway, or indicative of new ideas, especially when sharing it with others. What started in the prison kitchen during a Superbowl party evolved into a commercial one, where Emily now prepares hundreds of bags daily. The flavours and spices are as diverse as Emily’s story, and the community she shares them with; corporate gigs, fundraisers, charities and local markets – Comeback Snacks is popping off. In our OG episode, Emily shared insight on life in prison, compassion on all fronts, perseverance through popcorn and bringing ex-cons into the Fold to eradicate stigma and inspire growth.
We delve into the company’s evolution since launching, what she has learned through community connection at this time more than ever, how she has grown as a person, why it’s important to listen to and work with the needs of underrepresented and marginalized communities and all of the good things in development.
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