We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jason Pollak. Check out our conversation below.
Jason, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day right now is split between creating and building. In the mornings, I’m usually testing recipes or in the kitchen working on small batches of gummies. That could mean cooking strawberries down, pouring molds, or checking how a previous batch dried overnight. The afternoons are about the business side, setting up online sales, talking with local shops, and getting our first jars into people’s hands. Evenings are often spent writing or brainstorming creative ideas for the brand. It is busy, but it feels exciting because every day brings a little progress toward turning this idea into something real that people can enjoy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jason Pollak, and I am the founder of Cooper’s Kitchen. The brand is named after my dog Cooper, and the spirit behind the brand’s playful energy. I come from a background in marketing and media, but I wanted to create something hands-on and real that people could taste and enjoy.
Cooper’s Kitchen makes plant-based gummies using real fruit, starting with strawberries. Most gummies you see in stores are full of corn syrup, added sugars, and artificial flavors. I wanted to take a different approach and make something that feels fun but is also clean and purposeful. Our first line includes fruit gummies, energy gummies, and protein gummies, so they can fit into people’s everyday routines.
Right now, I am producing small batches here in Atlanta, the kitchen is actually based in Hapeville, and I am getting them into local shops, farmers’ markets, and online. It is still early days, but the feedback has been amazing, and I am excited to keep growing the brand from right here in Atlanta. They will soon be available at Jake’s Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Hapeville, and I’m talking with some local stores like Savi Provisions as well.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid I used to believe that I had to follow a set path and that success only came from doing things the way other people expected. I thought it was all about the grades you got. Over time, I realized that it is not always true. If you look at many entrepreneurs, many have never even gone to college. I do think education is essential, but it may not be worth taking on tens of thousands of dollars of debt just to attend a big-name school. Maybe it makes sense to go to a more affordable school that helps set you up after you graduate. Think a school with local connections.
What I have learned is that the most fulfilling work happens when you take your own path, even if it feels uncertain at first. There is also the opportunity to learn far beyond what they teach in school, or what your focus is in school, with AI tools now. Microlearning can be powerful if you stick with it. Even if it is not EVERY DAY, spending 15-20 minutes learning a new subject adds up. I think maybe before you turn on that Netflix show, maybe watch that next 6-minute video on the subject you want to study. Perhaps have NotebookLM turn a paper into a podcast you can listen to at the gym or while walking around. I think that is a very cool tool and a fun way to learn.
I didn’t know anything about AI tools a year ago, but through trying and learning, I can now create my own custom GPT tools for myself and other people. I learned how to automate tasks directly from ChatGPT. I have given out demos to 10 people. I learned how to make gummies, how to start a brand and business (it requires many steps in the food industry), and more.
That mindset is what led me to start Cooper’s Kitchen. I stopped worrying about fitting into the mold and instead focused on creating something authentic that I enjoy and that I know can bring joy to other people too.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there have been a few moments where I questioned if I should keep going. Starting something new, especially in food, is not easy. There are rules, registrations, and costs you do not think about until you are in it. Luckily, I have kept costs manageable and was aware of that from the beginning. I always thought about the most affordable way to do any of the steps, such as stocking up on ingredients when they go on sale or going to a farmer’s market with wholesale prices. On top of that, you are putting yourself out there and hoping people believe in the idea the same way you do.
What kept me from giving up was remembering why I started in the first place. I wanted to create something real, something that tasted good and could bring people a little joy. Each time I felt close to stopping, I reminded myself that progress takes time and that even small wins matter. Seeing people try the gummies and genuinely love them has been enough to push me forward.
I really do think the feedback I have received from neighbors and friends kept me going since people believed in the idea and actually liked the product.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the gummy industry is that the only way to make something taste good is by using corn syrup, artificial flavors, and loads of sugar. Big brands have leaned on that formula for years, but it comes at the cost of health and quality. Consumers do want great taste, but they are starting to see that it should not mean settling for bad ingredients. They are also becoming more aware of the fake colors and flavors added, and that what they are eating is essentially chemicals designed to taste like strawberries.
My gummies are actually made with real strawberries. The idea is that this is a snack you keep in the refrigerator because it is a fresh fruit product, not a sugary snack pulled from the depths of a cabinet. They are shelf-stable and can sit on a shelf, but the mindset is what makes the difference. This is a snack that gives you a daily fruit serving — just strawberries, honey, and lemon — and only 5 calories per gummy. One serving is 50 calories and provides 94% of your daily vitamin C.
Another misconception is that gummies are only candy. I see them as a format that can carry real function too, whether that is energy, protein, or just a cleaner fruit snack. At Cooper’s Kitchen we want to prove that gummies can be fun, nostalgic, and good for you at the same time.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time I felt like I was doing what I was told to do. I followed the path of school, career, and building a resume. It worked, and I had success in marketing and media, but it did not always feel like it was mine. Starting Cooper’s Kitchen feels different. It is something I chose, built from the ground up, and it connects my creativity with something real that people can enjoy. I do not know if this is what I was born to do, but I know it feels authentic and that is what matters most to me right now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cooperskitchen.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooperskitchen.shop
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-pollak/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574598628311
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coopersgummies
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cooperskitchen.shop?lang=en
Image Credits
Jason Pollak
