# Live Episode! Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-07-29
- Length: 1h 04m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian

## Summary

Angie and Dan Bastian, founders of BOOMCHICKAPOP, explain how they started in 2001 with a $10,000 kettle corn kit to save for their children's college fund, eventually selling the company to Conagra for $250 million. They detail the transition from outdoor sales at Minnesota Vikings games to securing a massive initial order from Trader Joe's, which required navigating cash flow crises and securing a $100,000 credit line. The couple also discusses the strategic rebranding to BOOMCHICKAPOP, the decision to go gluten-free, and the pivotal role of private equity firms Sherbrooke Capital and TPG in scaling the business and providing employee equity.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=0) Introduction: Angie and Dan Bastian and BOOMCHICKAPOP
- [5:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=355) Early Lives: Angie's Mennonite upbringing and Dan's teaching career
- [15:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=947) The $10,000 Kettle: Buying equipment and first sales in 2001
- [25:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=1526) Viking Partnership: Becoming the official kettle corn of the Minnesota Vikings
- [30:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=1847) Grocery Expansion: Moving indoors and landing Trader Joe's
- [39:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=2341) Financing Growth: Bank loans, personal guarantees, and debt
- [48:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=2910) Private Equity: Sherbrooke Capital, TPG, and employee equity
- [52:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=3169) Rebranding: Creating the BOOMCHICKAPOP name and gluten-free strategy
- [57:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-07-29-live-episode-angies-boomchickapop-angie-dan-bastian#t=3425) The Exit: Conagra acquisition for $250 million and legacy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- BOOMCHICKAPOP (product)
- Conagra (company)
- Trader Joe's (company)
- Minnesota Vikings (company)
- Sherbrooke Capital (company)
- TPG (company)
- Costco (company)
- Target (company)

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- [#179 - Bootstrap Heroes: Hazard's Hop Water, SWAIR, Gourmend Foods](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-21-179-bootstrap-heroes-hazards-hop-water-swair-gourmend-foods) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#116 TOAST-IT Makes a Deal on Shark Tank! All the Details from Inside the Tank with Founders Coco & Mafe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-11-28-116-toast-it-makes-a-deal-on-shark-tank-all-the-details-from-inside-the-tank-wit) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-05-24-janies-life-changing-baked-goods) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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