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MEET LAURIE KLATT A “POP”RIETOR BY LINDA HARRIS I PHOTOS BY DEVIN MACK
The Finger Lakes area is known for having some of the best festivals. If you are a festival lover, you probably ran into Laurie Klatt, franchise owner of Doc Popcorn & Dippin Dots, a delicious and healthier option to one of America’s favorite snacks. During the spring and summer months, you can find Laurie and her family, popping away around Monroe County at many of the fun festivals. In the fall and winter season, Laurie’s Popshop can be found at craft fairs and a semi permanent location from October through April at Monroe Community College.
months, it works out perfectly for high school and college students. Laurie sons play a huge role in the success of her business. Her sons help with pretty much all aspects of the business to include customer service and business sales. They get to learn and see what hard work looks like while learning all aspects of running a business. She hopes to instill an entrepreneur spirit into her boys and states “Not every job is a 9-5.” You can find a job or own your business while having fun, doing what you
Raised in Fairport, Laurie currently resides in Pennfield. She is married to Scott, a financial advisor with North Landing Financial Partners, for twenty six years and they have three sons, Josh, Jared and Jordan. In July of 2012, on her twentieth wedding anniversary, Laurie started her Doc Popcorn Business. Laurie told RWO that she had an entrepreneur spirit for as long as she could remember. She felt a Doc Popcorn business was the right move for her for several reasons, some of which was that it was a way for her family to have something fun to do together, where they can bond. Her sons would be able to gain some valuable skills, she could give back to the community and they can make some money together. Around the time Laurie launched her business, she recalls job opportunities, particularly for high school and college students was limited. Throughout the years, she has employed her children’s friends and others that have a hard time finding work. Since her business is somewhat seasonal, with the busy season being the spring and summer 192
throughout the year where she donates a portion of sales to help the cause. Recently she participated in a huge event for breast cancer awareness which was named Dippin and Poppin for Pink, which raised closed to $300. Dippin Dots is another product within the company line. She also works with organizations that are interested in raising money such as youth sporting teams or school organizations. A percentage of sales are given back to the organization. Laurie offers some advice for woman considering joining the entrepreneur world. “Don’t be afraid of hard work.” “The beauty of being your own boss is you can make your own schedule.”
want, setting your own schedule and working on your own terms. You just have to “Think outside of the box.” You can do this and make a difference within the community. Laurie participates in many charity events and provide “fun raising” yes you read that right, “fun raising” opportunities to organizations within the community. Laurie participates in various charitable events
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“You reap what you sow.” “Try it and don’t be afraid of failure.” Is another piece of advice Laurie offers to RWO readers. Throughout the years, she has tried several options on events and type of establishments to conduct business at. You have to try new things to find out what works and what doesn’t for you. Make modifications along the way and keep moving forward is a key point for new entrepreneurs. During the years, Laurie has branched out to test the market at several locations to include a mall and airport. She was able to set up a steady location over the slower months at Monroe Community College. She loves the fact that the college goes off the school schedule, which allows for her to be off on the holidays and spend quality time with her family. You can find Laurie’s Popshop in the Marketplace at the