Daniel Goetz dreamed up GOODPOP from a sketch drawn in one of his college classes. With money saved from mowing lawns when he was in middle school, he started making frozen treats and began selling at the Farmers Market in Austin. Daniel finally earned enough from profits at the Farmers Market to get packaging made. To grow his business, Daniel began delivering popsicles from a cooler out his car to Whole Foods Market and other retailers, he would then do demos during the day and make popsicles at night. By building genuine connections with everyone involved in his business, from receiving Team Members to fruit farmers, Daniel gained valuable insights that proved crucial for his company’s growth.

Daniel’s commitment to excellence led him to implement Fair Trade sourcing practices and upgrade manufacturing equipment to accommodate real fruit ingredients. This dedication to both quality and ethical business practices has paid off – GOODPOP is projected to reach $60 million in gross sales this year, remarkably achieved without external funding.

During the episode, Daniel shared several key pieces of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs:

  • Prioritize deep relationships over broad networking
  • Establish a secondary goal for your brand that aligns with a personal passion
  • Strive to embody the qualities of a non-anxious leader

Perfect timing for frozen treat lovers: Don’t miss the Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts national sale from July 2-8 (Prime members save 50%, non-Prime members save 44%)!