Popping with Purpose

During the pandemic, Kimberly Joy, 38, went from crunching numbers to popping kernels. After nearly two decades in accounting, the Austin resident launched Jubilee Popping Co., “a uniquely original Chicago-style gourmet popcorn company,” as her website describes it. 

In just three years, Joy has grown her operation from two flavors to more than 70 — everything from white cheddar to chili cheese, cookies and cream, and even dill pickle. At the Oct. 2 grand opening of BMO’s Chicago Austin Aspire Branch inside the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, Joy reflected on the origins of her grind.

I got my degree in accounting, and I worked in that field for about 16 or 17 years. During the pandemic, the company I was with ended up dissolving, and I did some financial consulting with our CEO for a while. I was pregnant with my first child at the same time, so once that ended, I knew I never wanted to go back into an office again.

I picked up cooking. I’ve always loved popcorn, so I started experimenting with different flavors. Around that time, there was a trend with the taffy grapes — or ‘crack grapes,’ as people called them. I was making trail mix, so I already had a lot of ingredients on hand. That’s when I started moving toward popcorn. 

I pop the kernels in a kettle — sometimes it requires baking. Like with some of my sweet recipes, I’ll use sugar, coconut oil, and syrup, then bake it and top it with cookies or chocolate. It’s a whole process.

From the start, I went into this wanting to make it a business. I was always thinking of it as a revenue stream. I started at the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market three years ago — that was my first one. For the last two seasons, I’ve been vending at Daley Plaza. 

Try It Yourself

• Jubilee Popping Co. offers more than 70 handcrafted flavors, available for order at https://joibilee.com/home 
• Check the company out on Instagram at instagram.com/joibilee_popping_co/?hl=en 
• Visit Jubilee on Facebook at facebook.com/joibileepoppingco/ 

---

About ‘The Grind’

From barbers and bakers to tech founders and corner-store owners, The Grind explores how West Side entrepreneurs are redefining what it means to build something lasting. Each installment profiles local innovators whose businesses strengthen the fabric of Austin, North Lawndale, Garfield Park, and beyond — creating jobs, community spaces, and new possibilities. Through their stories, The Culture chronicles not only how people work, but why they keep grinding for the neighborhoods they call home.

If you know a business or social entrepreneur you want us to profile, send us a tip at stories@ourculture.us.