“We’re doing for popcorn what Starbucks did for coffee,” says Renee Israel, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Doc Popcorn.
She is part of the new women’s movement: entrepreneurship.
“[At Digitas], I was working for Fortune 500 clients like AllState. But, my passions were health, fitness and food,” says Israel.
“One day, I told myself I should go do that – so I did.”
In 2003, Israel left her rewarding but travel-intensive and demanding marketing career to focus on her passions. Ironically, that’s when she met her husband.
“I met my now husband at a 10K race and we started talking about his new concept,” says Israel, who frequently worked on new and emerging projects throughout her career.
“He had done some research and already created a name and flavor formulations, but not much else.”
The pair became business partners and as the company grew so did their relationship.
Since 2009, Doc Popcorn has experienced 5,000 percent growth. Upon expanding through franchising, the number of stores has skyrocketed from eight to 80.
Their grab-and-go, all-natural snack can be found in malls and stadiums, including the Pepsi Center in Denver.
“There is no shame in saying, ‘I want a full life,’” Israel insists.
She looks back on her days as a consultant, when 60-hour work weeks were standard, “I don’t know if it would have happened if I stayed there,” she says about having a husband and three kids.
Today, Israel is no less busy. She’s still up at 2am – working in her bunny slippers.
“The difference is I get to take my children to school; I can leave at 3pm to go to soccer practice.”
She calls the shots.
Bonus PINK Link: See how Kimberly-Clark executive Angela Thomas-Anderson juggles travel and family.
Have you considered entrepreneurship in your quest for a more balanced life?
By L. Nicole Williams
Nicole is the Editor at Little PINK Book. Follow her on Twitter @iamnicwill.
“Decide what it is that you are and then stay true to that thing. My brand is based very much on how I live my day-to-day life.” Rachael Ray
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