Daily Inspiration: Meet Joey Salerno

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Salerno.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Dream

Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I’ve always believed in turning up the volume on hard work. Like many driven professionals, I spent years building my career—but along the way, I realized something was missing. Unexpected medical challenges forced me to slow down, and that pause gave me space to rediscover a simple joy that reignited my spark: popcorn.

Armed with a nostalgic cart popper, I started experimenting with flavors—mixing, popping, and creating like I was back in a garage band rehearsal. Each batch was a jam session of bold combinations until something truly rocked.

With encouragement from my mother, my three daughters, and the unwavering support of my better half, Sherry, I took a leap: turning a passion into a business. That small spark grew into a bold idea—to create a popcorn experience that’s fun, flavorful, and packed with rock-and-roll spirit. Today, that energy lives in every bag we pop, bringing big flavor, creativity, and a little rock attitude to every bite.

The Launch

In July 2022, we took the first big step by investing in the equipment to bring our vision to life. After exploring production spaces, we chose to stay local and were fortunate to find a fully equipped kitchen at a nearby church in Parma.

By October 2022, Joey’s Rockin Poppin Popcorn officially made its debut. The name pays tribute to my lifelong love of music and the unmistakable rock-and-roll spirit of Northeast Ohio. Our logo proudly features the Cleveland skyline built from stacked speakers—a nod to the city’s legendary music history.

Just like the music that inspired it, our slogan NEVER STOP POPPIN!® captures the high energy, bold flavors, and unstoppable spirit that fuel everything we do.

The Future

After celebrating our first year at our Broadview Heights location, we’re excited to keep the momentum going with online ordering, coming mid-2026.

The enthusiastic response to our Rock City Creations, both in-store and at events, has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing customers discover new favorite flavors and share in the fun strengthens our belief in the future of Joey’s Rockin Poppin Popcorn.

As we grow, we look forward to reaching even more popcorn lovers, sharing our passion, creativity, and bold, rock-inspired flavors with the community—and beyond. The show is just getting started, and we will NEVER STOP POPPIN!® 🎸🍿

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s never easy being an entrepreneur, and, of course, we’ve faced our share of challenges along the way. Like any business, unexpected hurdles pop up—whether it’s balancing production with demand, navigating new opportunities, or figuring out how to grow without burning out.

We started small, taking things step by step, which allowed us to focus on quality and building a loyal customer base. After a fantastic first December in our storefront, we realized we hadn’t even tapped into our full potential yet. That’s been both exciting and motivating—it’s a reminder that there’s always room to grow.

Our main goal now is to expand carefully, like with our upcoming online store launch. It’s not going to be huge overnight, but it’s a strategic step to reach more popcorn lovers while making sure we can meet demand without compromising the fun, bold flavors that define Joey’s Rockin Poppin Popcorn. The road may have its bumps, but the excitement of seeing customers enjoy our creations makes every challenge worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love creating food that brings people together—and popcorn has been my way to do that. I started in law enforcement, but my real passion came from experimenting with flavors and seeing people light up when they try something new.

Entrepreneurship runs in my family—my mom owned her own beauty salon, and I have relatives who own businesses—so trying new things and making them work is in my blood. With Joey’s Rockin Poppin Popcorn, I get to mix bold flavors, test creative combinations, and turn every bag into a fun, flavorful experience.

What sets us apart? We don’t just make popcorn—we make it an adventure. Seeing customers smile, discovering new favorites, and sharing it with friends and family—that’s what keeps me inspired every day.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We’d love for people to stop by our shop at 203 East Royalton Road, Suite 114, Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147—or give us a call at 440-736-7056. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to keep up with the latest flavors and fun.

We enjoy partnering with local schools for fundraisers and creating custom flavors for events. Corporations are welcome to reach out for employee gifts, holiday treats, or recognition gifts—we even have a simple form on our website at joeysrpp.com.

And the easiest way to support us? Tell your friends, family, and neighbors! Word of mouth is how the rock-and-roll spirit of Joey’s Rockin Poppin Popcorn keeps spreading. 🎸🍿

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeysrockinpoppinpopcorn
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61573973349421
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/joeys-rockin-poppin-popcorn-broadview-heights-2
• Other: https://share.google/ngyTXHrnSAxQifhwS