At just five years old, Audrey Harrison was riding in the car when she turned to her dad, Jeff, with a bold idea: she wanted to start a business. Fast forward seven years, and today, the 12-year-old entrepreneur is partnering with factories, selling her premium popcorn in airport convenience stores in DFW and Houston, and even taking her pitches to major retailers like Walmart.
Her mission? To deliver a true “full experience” treat, using only the highest-quality ingredients like kosher butter, real brown sugar, and premium mushroom popcorn kernels for the perfect crunch.
We sat down with Audrey and Jeff to hear firsthand how that simple childhood spark ignited a thriving gourmet popcorn company—and what it takes to build a nationwide brand from the ground up.
Finding the Perfect High-Level Presentation
As Audrey’s business grew, the team realized their packaging needed to reflect their ambition to become a premier, nationwide gourmet brand. They wanted their signature red box to stand out in a crowded market and instantly signal quality to their customers. Rather than settling for plain bags or standard boxes with stickers, they chose BoxUp to create a fully custom packaging solution that mirrored their premium product. Audrey shares: “Since we’re a gourmet popcorn, we need to go with a gourmet high-level box as well, so it doesn’t look like we cheap out on things–because we don’t cheap out on the popcorn.”
A Shockingly Simple Design Process
When it came time to actually build the box, Audrey’s dad took to the BoxUp editor and found the process incredibly user-friendly. For a small business without an in-house graphic design team, having an intuitive platform is critical. He noted that the platform was “shockingly simple.” He also liked “the fact that you can see it in full 3D,” which ensured that their logos and text were centered and oriented correctly before the boxes ever went to print. The BoxUp editor eliminated the steep learning curves associated with complex software like Photoshop, making it accessible for anyone to create a professional-grade box because “it feels like you’re working on Canva.”
Want to get started with your own design? Check out our Canva templates and artwork guidelines here: https://www.boxup.com/view/artwork-guidelines
Furthermore, as a growing brand testing different markets, the flexibility to order small batches was a massive advantage. It allowed them to quickly print new designs and refine their branding without committing to massive inventory overhead. Jeff states he likes that “you can do low quantities, like down to 12” boxes, which makes a massive difference when creating custom, signature packaging for a growing business.
Creating a Memorable Unboxing Experience
Today, Audrey uses her custom boxes to package a variety of popcorn flavors alongside a thoughtful thank-you card. These boxes serve a fantastic dual purpose. At local farmers’ markets, they provide a sturdy, attractive carrying case for customers walking around. For online sales, the durable packaging doubles as a mailer, cutting down on extra shipping materials.
Interested in creating something similar? Learn more about our Display Mailer Box here: https://www.boxup.com/product/display-mailer-box-sample
The vibrant, professional presentation leaves a lasting impression from the moment it arrives, turning a simple delivery into an exciting event for the customer. Jeff shares that “people will send us pictures of it at their doorstep when Amazon leaves it there. It just looks cool.”
Ready to Elevate Your Brand’s Presentation?
Audrey’s inspiring journey shows that combining a premium product with unforgettable custom packaging is a recipe for success. Whether you are selling at local farmers’ markets or shipping nationwide via Amazon, BoxUp makes it incredibly easy to design packaging that pops.
Start designing your custom boxes today! Utilize our highly intuitive, Canva-like editor to view your creations in full 3D. With low minimum order quantities and the ability to order a $1 sample box, you can test your designs risk-free. Show up with the same polish and professionalism as Audrey, and turn your packaging into your brand’s secret weapon.