Strategic Partnerships: From Relying on Family to Strengthening Your Network with Tanesha Sims-Summers of Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn


Tanesha Sims-Summers, owner of Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn, joins Carrie this week on The Localist. Tanesha always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but had no idea kettle corn would be involved until her aunt gave her the idea in 2014. Tanesha tells us the ultimate goal behind her business, the fears she felt in the beginning, and how Naughty But Nice became a family business after a dissolved partnership. Tanesha and Carrie discuss how the business has been affected by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted to meet ever-changing demands. Tanesha takes us through the process of getting their food truck up and running, and how they’ve maintained their philanthropic goals even through quarantine. Tanesha and Carrie wrap up with the lessons Tanesha learned in the corporate world and how she applies them to Naughty But Nice, and how to get your hands on the mind-blowing flavors of kettle corn that Naughty But Nice offers. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn

Irondale Whistle Stop Festival 

Pepper Place Market 

Golden Flake 

Church Street Coffee and Books

Eugene’s Hot Chicken

Zebbie’s episode on The Localist

About Carrie

Carrie Rollwagen is host of the Localist podcast and cofounder of Church Street Coffee & Books. Currently, she works as Vice President of Strategic Planning at Infomedia, a web development company in Birmingham, Alabama. Find the Localist at @thinklocalist on Instagram and follow Carrie at @crollwagen.

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