When Sue Michaletz left her corporate career more than a decade ago, she imagined owning a retail business. What wasn’t initially a part of the picture was building a company centered around popcorn.

Then a visit to Las Vegas changed everything.

While exploring the city, Michaletz came across a gourmet popcorn store and immediately saw potential. Unlike many retail concepts, popcorn wasn't tied to a single season or occasion. There was always a reason to celebrate, whether it was game day, Valentine's Day, a company milestone or the holidays.

"I thought it would be perfect because there's always something to celebrate every month," she said.

In 2014, she opened PoppedCorn in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with help from her daughter and son-in-law. What began as a neighborhood popcorn shop has grown to more than double the production space and turned into a thriving business that offers gourmet popcorn, fudge, glazed nuts, custom gift baskets and branded tins shipped across the country.

While the business has evolved, some things haven't changed. Michaletz still enjoys connecting with customers, many of whom have become regulars.

"One of the things I've really enjoyed about PoppedCorn is the relationships we've created," she said. "They're often repeat customers. They become family."

That focus on relationships has helped fuel growth in ways she never expected.

Early on, one of the biggest challenges was simply getting people to discover the store. Word-of-mouth recommendations from loyal customers helped spread the news, and over time PoppedCorn developed a following across the Twin Cities.

As the business expanded, new opportunities followed. PoppedCorn's wholesale and custom gift business now includes relationships with professional sports organizations, breweries and casinos. The company has also maintained a presence at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis since 2019, where its role has evolved from concession carts to serving guests in the venue's suites.

Supporting that growth has been Jay Roles, a U.S. Bank small business banking specialist who has worked with Michaletz for several years. When Roles first met Michaletz, he was struck by her energy and ability to build connections.

"She has a tremendous business mind, but the relationship piece is what has really grown the brand," he said. "That's what drives everything forward."

Like many small business owners, Michaletz faces seasonal fluctuations throughout the year. Demand spikes during the holiday season, while summer months can be slower. Roles partnered with her to help manage those cycles through cash flow solutions, including a business line of credit that gives PoppedCorn flexibility when revenues vary throughout the year. U.S. Bank also helped finance equipment purchases – including a massive caramelizer for sweet popcorns – that support the company's growth. 

For Michaletz, having a trusted banking partner means having someone who understands both her business and her goals.

"I've had a great relationship with Jay," she said. "He's always been available when I come up with immediate needs."

Roles said those partnerships are one of the most important ingredients in small business success.

"Small business owners know what they're doing and are very good at it. Hopefully, their banker knows what they're doing and is very good at that because the combination of the two makes for a great relationship,” Roles said.

More than 12 years after opening her doors, Michaletz continues to look for new ways to grow, whether through custom gifting, corporate partnerships or new customer experiences. But her approach remains the same: focus on people, deliver a quality product and welcome new opportunities.

And whether customers stop in for a bag of popcorn or place an order for hundreds of custom tins, they're likely to find the same entrepreneurial spirit that helped PoppedCorn evolve from a simple idea into a business built to last.

For more about PoppedCorn and U.S. Bank, watch the video above.