At the Feastival of Ideas, it’s not every day you hear a business success story that starts at age 10, but that’s exactly what made Sam Weavers, founder of Sam’s Popcorn, one of the most talked-about speakers at HEXPO 2025.

With an easy grin and a brand that’s now on supermarket shelves across Australia, Sam took the stage for “Pop, Drop & Scale” to share the story of how a backyard hobby turned into a purpose-driven business that’s changing more than just snack time.

The Spark

Sam’s story began in the most down-to-earth way possible, with a simple love for popcorn and a curiosity for business.

At 10 years old, he started making popcorn at home, experimenting with flavours and selling small batches at local markets. What started as weekend fun quickly grew into a full-scale operation that now supplies major retailers, employs a growing team, and gives back to the community through charitable initiatives.

He joked that his secret ingredient was “a little butter and a lot of persistence,” but as his HEXPO audience quickly realised, there was something much deeper behind his success: heart.

Scaling with Substance

When Sam talked about growth, he didn’t sound like your typical CEO. He spoke about it like a craftsman who still remembers every small win, every first sale, every packaging upgrade, every late-night batch that didn’t quite pop right.

He described scaling as a process of learning, failing, and re-learning. From hand-sealed bags at the kitchen table to commercial facilities producing gourmet flavours like Salted Caramel and Aged Cheddar, Sam has never lost sight of what matters: quality and community.

And as the business expanded, so did his mission.

Purpose That Pops

Beyond the product, Sam’s Popcorn has become a force for good. Through his Kids4Kids initiative, Sam partners with the Childhood Cancer Association, donating a portion of profits to support families and children in need.

This wasn’t a marketing move it was personal. Sam spoke about how business should serve something bigger than itself, and how giving back isn’t a phase, it’s a mindset.

“Popcorn brings people joy,” he said, “so why not make that joy count for something more?”

It’s this blend of business acumen and compassion that’s made Sam’s story resonate across generations.

Lessons from the Popcorn Stand

Sam didn’t hold back on lessons learned:

• Start early, stay curious. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin.
  
  
• Keep showing up. Growth happens one kernel at a time.
  
  
• Stay humble. Every new opportunity should remind you where you started.
  
  

His talk wasn’t about pretending entrepreneurship is easy. It was about proving that it’s possible, even at 10 years old, if you’re willing to show up and keep going when things get tough.

The Aftertaste

By the end of “Pop, Drop & Scale,” the room felt lighter. Maybe it was the smell of popcorn samples still lingering in the air, or maybe it was the realisation that innovation doesn’t have an age limit.

Sam Weavers isn’t just a young entrepreneur. He’s a reminder that passion, perseverance, and purpose are timeless ingredients for success.

At HEXPO 2025, his story wasn’t just inspiring,  it was proof that the next generation of founders is already cooking up something extraordinary.

Because when heart meets hustle, the results speak and pop for themselves.‍

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Next on the plate: HEXPO 2025 Speaker Series: Flavours Without Borders + Hot Take.

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