After working as a financial analyst for New York University, Alison Faris Helleberg moved back to Wisconsin with her husband and joined the family businesses, helping Faris Gourmet Popcorn and United Manufacturers through the challenges of the pandemic.
Both businesses pivoted, with the popcorn business switching from wholesale to e-commerce. “Within two days, [United Manufacturers] fully shifted production over to manufacturing cloth face masks,” Helleberg says. “Because of this shift, our team was actually able to grow.”
She also saw the company through relocation of its facility in 2016, a move that allowed Faris Popcorn to grow on a national level and United Manufacturers to expand its customer and product portfolio. For the community, the company has launched a book collection program, distributing book/popcorn bundles to kids at elementary schools.
Helleberg says being able to work alongside her father, who passed away earlier this year, allowed her to gain valuable experience. “I am so fortunate to have learned so much from him where I can now comfortably take over for him and continue to grow what he started,” she says.
