In 2005, husband and wife team, Randy and Robyn Nickels founded Madd Kernels Poppin Sweet Kettle Corn in Redding, California. Their daughter Janeille and her husband Elias would help on weekends, where it became a family activity for years.
In 2016 Janeille and Elias moved across the country from California to Connecticut. They weren’t planning to start a kettle corn business in Connecticut however, they recognized quickly it was missing from events they attended. They decided to share their delicious treat with the east coast and start Little Kernel’s Kettle Corn named after their two sons Levi and Keaton, the “L” and the “K” in the business name.
In 2021, Randy who people referred to as the Madd Kernel, unexpectedly passed away and the family honors him daily through their business.
Meet the Family
Janeille graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio with a business degree. While in college she played Division 1 softball and played professionally oversees. She has her MBA degree and enjoys working in healthcare administration.
Elias proudly served almost six years in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq three times. After he was discharged, he attended UC Davis where he received his aerospace and mechanical engineering degrees. He currently is an aerospace engineer working with helicopters.
Robyn moved to Connecticut after Randy’s passing to be closer to the family and she is often at events helping and popping away. She is a nurse by day and loves taking care of people.
The family is busy with their jobs, raising two young sons, and running a family business, but they enjoy the challenge and wouldn’t have it any other way. You will find them all at various events as they enjoy doing it together as a family. They find joy in creating happy customers by making the most delicious kettle corn.