Dan '90 and Angie Bastian

It started in 2001 as a summer sideline venture for 1990 St. John's University alum and junior high teacher Dan Bastian, his nurse practitioner wife, Angie, and their two children. Now, 10 years later, it's a full-fledged business success. "It" is Angie's Kettle Corn, one of the fastest growing snacks in its category. Made in Mankato, Minnesota, Angie's Kettle Corn is an all-natural, artisan snack distributed in 45 states, endorsed by national sports teams and enjoyed by millions. Today in their production facility, more than 150 employees help produce 30,000 bags of Angie's a day. Following his senior year at St. John's, Dan moved to Belize, Central America and helped to start a school for disadvantaged youth. This led him on a path into education. Dan believed he would spend his career in the classroom as a teacher and on the field as a coach. But then he met Angie. Angie has a Masters in Psychiatric Nursing and Gerontology from Emory University. And she still works as a part-time nurse consultant. Believing there was something they could do together as a family, they decided to find something that might help put money aside for the kids' education while also imparting a valuable lesson of working toward a dream. Today the Bastians' story is the family-centered enterprise that Angie and Dan envisioned. Angie's Kettle Corn is on the shelves of all the top local grocery retailers as well national distribution in SUPERVALU, Whole Foods, Costco and Super Target outlets. It is the official kettle corn of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves/ Lynx, and Minnesota Twins. And the delicious taste of Angie's has caught the attention of national media. Dan and Angie have built a successful business, but through it all have kept sight of the importance of family. Being parents is still their most important and rewarding entrepreneurial endeavor.