A family business with deep coastal roots

In 2008, Jeff and Angela Powell were on vacation in San Luis Obispo when they stopped at the farmers market and watched a vendor pop kettle corn in front of a small crowd. The smell, the showmanship, the smiles — they were hooked. They started Coastal Kettle Corn back home in Aptos with a simple goal: build a family business that could help put their kids through college and on church missions.

Seventeen years later, the kids are grown, the recipe hasn't changed, and Coastal Kettle Corn has become a familiar sight at fairs, festivals, weddings, hospital appreciation weeks, and corporate events all over Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties.

It's still just Jeff and Angela running the kettles most days, with family pitching in for the bigger events. And it's still just four ingredients.