In a world of corporate-controlled, money-driven, over-advertised
commodities, it is exciting to find something fun, useful and
reasonably-priced. It is particularly exciting to find something original
that hasn't become an over-marketed commodity available at every Sam's Club,
Wal-Mart and Costco on the planet. However, from time to time you get lucky
and stumble upon something that strikes your heart and your mind and makes
you say, "Hey! That's a great product! How come I've never heard of it?"
Flashback:
One day back in 1997 I was commuting to work with one of my colleagues,
and I was eating a tin of mints I thought was Made in Britain by a little
specialty food company. I enjoyed the package, but I didn't think the
product was very good because it left a filmy after-taste in my mouth. On
that particular day, I also did not have a chance to stop for my morning
coffee, and I joked about how awesome it would be if those mints could
provide me a little caffeine or herbal energy. I came to find out two things
on that overcast day in April. First, the British Mints I was eating were
marketed by a massive, money-driven, multi-national corporation also in the
business of selling cigarettes and beer. I also came to learn that there
were no mints or gum on the planet that contained caffeine or any sort of
herbal supplement.
After contemplating the concept and weighing in the costs of quitting my day
job, I decided the world needed a Sugar-Free Caffeinated Mint. I promptly
bought a suit, borrowed $40,000 on credit cards, and went into the candy
business without any prior industry knowledge. In hindsight, it was pretty
stupid, actually. Now, six years and eight products later, I'm here telling
you about my life quest to bring you creative confection products!