*Memorial Day is a special day to commemorate veterans like retired Lieutenant Commander, Omar Hasan who served multiple tours as a commissioned officer for over 20 years including Operation Desert Storm on USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf.
After completing his Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University he was commissioned in 2003 as a land-based Civil Engineer Corps Officer at locations such as the remote island of Deigo Garcia, Manama Bahrain, San Diego, CA, and Kabul, Afghanistan. He was promoted to Lieutenant junior grade while in Great Lakes IL and then to Lieutenant in Pearl Harbor HI, followed by Lieutenant Commander in Manama Bahrain.
Hasan was not only known for his impeccable leadership by his Naval comrades, but also as a popcorn enthusiast. Popcorn was always his snack of choice during tough periods in the military. As he began to wrap up his career in the military, he looked for the opportunity to learn more about popcorn and the possibility of opening a storefront including sending care packages to those who still wear the uniform in harms way.
One year after his retirement, the Navy vet’s new base is now bringing his love for music and popcorn to others with his gourmet popcorn brand Pop Culture Gourmet Popcorn, a family-owned, popcorn-loving business merging 40 edgy, dominant, and defining popcorn flavors that inspired by creative pop culture.
“You’ve got to have a prepared strategy after retiring from the military. I always knew that the food industry would be my area of creative focus so I made it my new duty to build something memorable that everyone could enjoy”, says Hasan.
From Yeah Mon (butter rum, mango, and coconut inspired by Actor Lamman Rucker); and Cayenne Western (a buffalo ranch and sriracha blend inspired by artist Kanye West) to Chicago Billionaire (yellow cheddar on caramel inspired by icon Oprah Winfrey); D’Alicias Keylime (Keylime pie with sweet frosting inspired by Alicia Keys) and more, customers enjoy the bold tastes and pop culture experience online and at the downtown Norfolk location. He is soon expanding the brand to a new Atlanta location along with a fulfillment center.
“Many ask me what I’m doing with my time post-military. Though, I’m enjoying a different lifestyle, I’m staying in shape and contributing to the fiber of America in a different way now; through entrepreneurship. I can’t ask for a better life.”
Recently Hasan received a congratulatory letter from Walmart informing him that he’s made it to the third round to pitch his popcorn at Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas for the U.S. Manufacturing Summit’s “Investing in America” Jobs program June 13th. Hopefully the brand will be on Walmart shelves soon.
A fine salute to a veteran turned entrepreneur who has a lot to celebrate this Memorial Day.
Pop Culture Gourmet Popcorn can be supported at popculturepopz.com or visit the Norfolk store at 112 Granby St., Norfolk VA 23510.
Hope Allen
[email protected]
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