In this episode, Elaine interviews Stephanie Stuckey, the owner of Stuckey’s, a famous brand known for its roadside stores and snacks. Stephanie shares the story of how her grandfather started Stuckey’s back in 1937 and the downfall of the brand under outside corporate ownership. She then discusses her decision to buy back the brand and revive it, focusing on the snack and candy products that made Stuckey’s famous. Stephanie also emphasizes the importance of quality control, fresh ingredients, and the unique taste of pecans. She shares her favorite road trip memories and offers advice to fellow entrepreneurs, especially women in the food industry.

• Stephanie Stuckey: CEO of Stuckey’s and granddaughter of the brand’s founder

• The history of Stuckey’s and its heyday in the 50s and 60s

• The decline of the brand under outside corporate ownership

• Stephanie’s emotional decision to buy back the brand and revive it

• The challenges of reviving the brand and focusing on snack and candy products

• The importance of quality control and fresh ingredients in Stuckey’s products

• Stephanie’s favorite road trip memories and the significance of road trips in American culture

• Advice for women entrepreneurs in the food industry

• Entrepreneurship can be an emotional journey driven by passion and love for a family legacy.

• The downfall of a brand can occur when it is sold and no longer under the control of its founders.

• Reviving a brand requires identifying what works and letting go of what doesn’t.

• Making products in-house allows for better quality control and the use of fresh, superior ingredients.

• Pecans have a unique and buttery taste that should be complemented, not overpowered, in confections.

• Road trips represent freedom, fun, and exploration, and snacks are an essential part of the road trip experience.

• Female entrepreneurs can support and learn from each other as they navigate the challenges of business ownership.

• Reviving a brand and breaking through competition is possible with a better product and a compelling story.

• “It was not a business decision. It was an emotional decision, but to back up just a little bit, you’re being very gracious and saying it’d been a few years. There had been decades of outside ownership and the brand, frankly, just being trashed.” - Stephanie Stuckey

• “When you don’t make your own product, it’s not the same. I just think that it’s really special when you make your own product and it’s truly ours. And we control all the ingredients.” - Stephanie Stuckey

• “A road trip represents freedom and fun and independence and exploration, which are fundamental American values.” - Stephanie Stuckey

• “You can always come in and make a better product. It is possible, even when the competition seems so big and so good and so insurmountable, there are these brands out there that have proven you can do it, you can break through.” - Stephanie Stuckey

• Stuckey’s

• W. S. Stuckey (founder of Stuckey’s)

• Dot’s Pretzels

• Hershey

Stuckey’s, road trip, nostalgia, brand revival, snacks, candy, pecans, quality control, fresh ingredients, road trip memories, female entrepreneurs

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