OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 45% of small businesses fail within five years. Vic’s Popcorn defied all odds by celebrating its 45th anniversary. The owners share their recipe for success.
- Over the years, Vic’s Popcorn’s philosophy has remained the same: offering a quality product at a fair price with first-class customer service.
- Owners Ruth and Vic Larson share what it means to still be a part of this community, sharing this business with their family.
- “It’s a good feeling to know that we’re part of this community and that they appreciate us, and we certainly appreciate them.”
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Running a small business is all about fighting against all odds. In fact, 45% of them disappear before the end of five years. A local couple seems to have found the recipe for success. Vic’s Popcorn started in Omaha in 1980. We asked the owners what they would tell entrepreneurs now and what they wish they had known.
Before owning Vic’s Popcorn, Ruth and Vic Larson had a tradition of visiting a popcorn store in Lincoln whenever they were in town.
Their love for the snack inspired them to take over the business and expand to Omaha.
Now, 45 years later, they are celebrating their success and how they got to where they are today.
“We were pretty naive because we were both educators and not business people, but trial and error and a lot of luck and a lot of good people,” Ruth said.
Both men have been in business when the economy was booming and during recessions. They recognize a key to their company’s longevity: the people who have stayed through it all.
“We have great people. We have one that’s here. She has been here for 26 years. Another is 19 years old. At the factory, our daughter there has been there for 24 years, and you know, there are great people who have worked for us for a long time,” Vic said.
Over the years, their philosophy has remained the same: offering a quality product at a fair price with top-notch customer service.
“If you make a decision, you have to suffer the consequences, and if you make good decisions, it works. If you don’t, you better change and figure out what to do,” Vic said.
This approach helps Vic’s sell a lot of popcorn. How much? 100 tons from Omaha locations and an online store. It’s their own hybrid corn that sets them apart.
Another key for the couple is understanding their customers. Despite the recent economic situation, they have not increased their prices in over two years.
“It’s a nice feeling to know that we’re part of this community and that they appreciate us, and we certainly appreciate them,” Ruth said.
The future of Vic’s is bright with plans for the Larson children to eventually take over.