Popcorn is all about the process — well, at least it is for Garrett Ley, junior in agricultural business. 

“Business, talking to people, always trying to make money,” said Ethan Ley, freshman in agriculture biochemistry and Garrett’s younger brother, when asked to describe his older sibling.

Since childhood, Garrett Ley has been interested in business, specifically in creating his own.

“Growing up, he always had a handful of businesses he wanted to start,” Ethan Ley said.

That love of business and independence has led to a variety of start-ups, from lawn-mowing to vegetable stands to donuts. Now, it’s led to something new: gourmet popcorn.

Garrett Ley started G Pop’s Gourmet Popcorn in May 2014, and it has grown rapidly in the past year and a half.

“He’s working on going corporate with it, which is exciting,” said Andrea Passe, senior in agricultural business and friend of Garrett’s.

As he looks to expand his business, Garrett Ley has also had to refigure his priorities. He intends to graduate a year early and dedicate himself more fully to G Pop’s.

Because of the advancement of his timetable, he’s not only increased his workload with the business but also with his courses.

“I have a really heavy course load now on top of this business,” Garrett Ley said. “While I’m here, I want to get it done.”

Among his friends, Garrett Ley is known for his professionalism but also for his ability to cut loose and have a good time. Despite having met through classes and the agricultural business group, Passe said swing dancing is one of her favorite memories with Garrett.

“He’s very professional,” Passe said. “He can have fun, and he’s also really professional through his business as well.”

Garrett also stays close with his family; in fact, he cites them as a major source of support and physical aid. While big orders often require his parents and brother to pitch in to complete, Garrett said his biggest fan and supporter is his grandfather.

“He’s kind of instilled those values of hard work and dedication [in me],” Garrett said.

A former county extension director, Garrett’s grandfather grew up on a farm and helped teach him about hard work through his garden. He also provided more tangible aid in the form of loans, Ethan Ley explained.

“My grandpa, he helped Garrett kind of start up,” Ethan Ley said. “Right out of his freshman year, [he] gave him loan for a car, gives him loans to kind of get going. He’s a repeat customer.”

This relationship is largely what led Garrett Ley into agriculture, despite his father’s work as an engineer and his mother’s as a nurse.

Living only five miles away, Garrett’s grandfather provided ample opportunity for him to become exposed to and interested in agriculture and entrepreneurship. He also encouraged Garrett to help neighbors on their farms and to learn more about working on one.

On-campus, Garret said his biggest resource is the Agricultural Entrepreneur Group, a club of 12 to 15 students who are interested in establishing their own businesses. He also works at an agrotourism farm. 

This farm, which offers seasonal events such as a pumpkin patch, provided a location for G Pop’s after it outgrew Garrett’s family house.

“Whoever knew the milkhouse on a dairy farm would be a popcorn production facility 30 years later,” Garrett Ley said. “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

While he is only legally permitted to manufacture his popcorn in the revamped barn, Ley is perfectly happy with that. He said he is more interested in manufacturing and selling to retailers than in selling directly to customers.

“I want to pop, and I want to distribute, and I want to sell retail,” he said.

Until then, G Pop’s goal remains customer-oriented: Each package is flavored according to the customer, and each label is custom designed.

“He wants to listen to what you want,” said Jeanne Rogert, customer and friend of Garrett’s. “He wants it to be right.”

Rogert said she thinks that this attention to detail will help Ley become successful, but, the end result isn’t as important as the journey for Ley himself.

“I want to see what I can do,” Ley said. “The way I think of it is, ‘Is it bad going from broke to broke? So what if this doesn’t work out? What do I have to lose?’”