Whenever I tell someone that my company is called 'Popcorn,' they smile. And that feels pretty good.
But, man, did I struggle with choosing it. There are so many things to consider when choosing a brand name for your business: I needed to choose a name that screams my brand's message loud and clear. I needed to pick a name that represents my brand's values and leaves an impression. And I had to remember that my brand's name is my first impression, so I had to make it count. I told myself to be bold, be unique, and most importantly, be true to yourself!
So, why did I choose Popcorn?
Back about 10 years ago, for reasons that completely escape me, I stumbled across an online post from a former McKinsey guy named David Klein who wrote a Web 1.0 blog called "The Popped Kernel." His blog article was about feeling like an un-popped corn kernel at the bottom of a popcorn bucket. Anyway, that idea managed to lodge inside my brain for a decade and from time to time I'd think about it when I felt trapped or stuck at my job. Is there anything worse than un-popped popcorn? Little, hardened, burnt... it's a promise unfulfilled.
Popcorn, to me, is about reaching full potential - not being held back.
Here's what David Klein wrote in his blog:
We're all kernels.Some of us have popped. Others of us have not.Why? Why are some people successful and others not (yet or at all)? That's the question driving the very existence of The Popped Kernel. One place we can find some answers is in the culinary treat itself.
Kernels don't pop if the conditions aren't right.The kernel itself must have the right stuff—it can't be too hard (if it is, it can't pop ... unless moisture is added). Kernels must be put under the right amount of heat. Too little heat, they won't pop. Too much heat, they'll burn. Once popped, it must cool down to avoid burning to the touch. Only then can it be enjoyed. If left idle for too long, the popped kernels become stale. Only do they become enjoyable again when conditions for their well-being are reintroduced - warmth, moisture, perhaps some added flavor.
What kernels need in order to pop (and stay fresh):
So, kernels, like humans, are fragile things that need the right conditions—hardness, heat, and activity to pop successfully!
I thought this was such an appropriate metaphor for my company name, whose purpose is rooted in these very same principles. My aim is help your business POP - providing your brand with the right combination of marketing services, performing assets, and proven best practices you need to be successful in today's very digital environment.
Just like corn kernels need heat, moisture, and pressure to pop, Popcorn brings that in the form of energy, creative, and data.
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
