156 She started a Popsicle Company | Leila Keshavjee, Founder of Happy Pops
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This week, I’m sitting down with Leila Keshavjee, who is the founder of a Healthy (& delicious) Popsicle Brand, Happy Pops.
Leila Keshavjee has been on the Visionary Life Podcast before, and today she returns for her second appearance!
Since my first conversion with Leila a lot has changed for her company, Happy Pops.
If you’re not familiar with Happy Pops or didn’t catch our first episode, Happy Pops are similar to your favourite childhood popsicles, but way healthier and made without the nasty sugars lurking in traditional Popsicles.
You might remember watching Leila pitch Happy Pops on Dragon’s Den OR perhaps you’ve even purchased a box from your local grocery store!
They are a regular in my grocery haul these days, especially because my husband Dave is obsessed!
We’ll dive into…
Her journey as a Young Business Owner
How 2020 went for this Food Brand and what some of the ups & downs of the pandemic year were
Their influencer marketing strategy and whether it’s an advantageous marketing strategy for Happy Pops or not
How Leila stays inspired and motivated as a business owner
How they’re landing new channels of distribution across Canada
Her continued desire to bring Healthy Happiness & Cultural Tastes to kitchens around the world
Why it’s important to celebrate the small wins as a small business
AND SO MUCH MORE
Enjoy this episode with Leila & don’t forget to keep reading to see my Prep Notes and 3 Visionary Takeaways.
p.s.
There’s also a Happy Pops Giveaway happening over on my Instagram! 🎉
🎉 Head over to my Instagram account to find out how you can enter…
Want to take a peek at my “Prep Notes” for the show?
These are totally unedited, and give you an idea of what I do to get ready for the interview.
Lelia, welcome back to the Visionary Life Podcast.
You and I sat down almost 2 years ago for the first time, back in the day when I was able to record these shows in-person in Toronto, and that is episode #86 for any of the listeners who are keen to dig into the archives.
And since our first chat, my love for happy pops has only grown.
In fact, there have been numerous occasions that I’ve been looking for the perfect gift to brighten someone’s day or to thank them, to which I love sending a Happy Mix, which is an assorted box of Happy Pops that ships straight to their doorstep. It’s the best..
So Leila, welcome back… are you ready to dig in for Round 2?
Let’s catch up where we left off…
What have been some of the major milestones that Happy Pops has reached in the past 18 months? Tell us what you’re proud of...
Can you recap how 2020 went for you, as a frozen food brand that sells primarily in grocery retailers and direct to consumer?
When the pandemic first hit, did you have any fears of how it would negatively or positively affect your business?
Any unforeseen challenges that arose out of COVID?
It’s been a weird year, how have you stayed inspired as an Entrepreneur?
Do you have any predictions or insights into how 2021 will be for food and beverage brands?
Your partners + retailers…
You haven’t been able to participate in traditional trade shows this year
Has that affected your ability to connect with new retailers?
What do you think of the virtual trade show experiences?
You’re selling Happy Pops in major retailers like Metro, Sobeys, Mcewans, Pusateri’s - What do you think it was about your pitch that encouraged these retailers to list you, over other frozen dessert brands. What made you stand out?
You said on our previous show that “you hate pitching”... Have you grown a love for it yet?
What are your tips for a successful investor or partner pitch?
Marketing…
Obviously popsicles and cold desserts are more of a seasonal purchase here in Canada where we live, so how have you been able to overcome seasonality of Happy Pops
Is there something that you’re currently focus on in your “off season”
What are some of the most impactful marketing efforts that have helped Happy Pops to stay top of mind with consumers
If you could only choose 1 way to stay connected with your customers, whether that’s an in person or online method, what would you choose?
Entrepreneurship…
When you have questions or need advice about business, who do you turn to?
Is there a skill you’re currently trying to uplevel as an Entrepreneur?
Did you take time at the end of 2020 to do a year in review, and to re-cast your vision?
Where is HappyPops going? What’s next for the brand
How’s the podcast coming along?
Now, let’s recap 3 visionary takeaways from this episode…
Leila is so real, so authentic. That’s why I love chatting with her.
Three things I want to point out…
Referrals are one of the best marketing strategies!
Something that you can do today to support one of your favourite small businesses is to simply snap a photo of yourself with your favourite brand, and share it to your Instagram Stories or social media channels. It shares the brand with your audience, and it also gives the brand content to re-share on their account increasing their social credibility. It also increases your status, as the recommender of fine provisions!p.s. On that topic, could you screenshot this episode and tag @kelseyreidl and @eathappypops?
Support small business during COVID.
If you have the funds, there are numerous ways that small businesses could use your support. If you’re in a financial position to do so, swap out the mass CPG brand that you typically buy for a smaller local company like HappyPops. They’re at greater risk of hardship then the “big businesses” during this time. *https://www.instagram.com/p/CKAMfhphzSo/Influencers, listen up!
If you want to deepen your relationship with awesome brands like HappyPops in hopes of getting some free product & maybe even some paid gigs - be sure that you’re following and tagging the brand organically, before you send rate cards or pitch decks.
Watch our Interview on YouTube!
Connect with Leila & Happy Pops
Happy Pops Instagram
Order Happy Pops (use code VISIONARY10 at checkout to save 10% on your first online order!)
Resources + people that we discussed in this episode…
Referral marketing
Experiential marketing
Brand evangelists
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR....
Healthy Planet Canada
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This online store has been my #1 choice for natural health products, clean beauty & top quality supplements for 5+ years now.
If you want access to Visionary Health, check out Healthy Planet.
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