Video + Q&A with Founder of Missy J’s Candies

Made with vegan carob chips, Missy J’s candies won’t leave your blood sugar spiked. The treats, which are also free of wheat, refined sugars, GMOS’s, and caffeine, are created by Jodi Feinhor-Dennis who was on a quest to develop a sweet treat she could enjoy without sacrificing her well being. Flavors include carob cups (peanut butter, PB&J, mint) and Truffley Treats (peanut butter crisp, coconut, almond and sea salt, orange delicousness and others).

Q:  How did the idea for”Missy J’s” come to be?

I love treats, always have, but I learned the hard way, sugar, dairy and caffeine in most candy doesn’t agree with me. I had earched the shelves of every natural grocery store I entered for years for a treat I could eat. I looked for ones that were first and foremost, void of sugar, chocolate and dairy. To this day, I have found nothing. I am a self proclaimed “foodie” and an interior and graphic designer by trade. I blended my love for remarkable tasting food with great design mixed with interesting taste profiles to create Missy J’s. After the economic downturn in 2010, I set course to rebuild myself. As I set out to reestablish my design career, I inadvertently developed this delectable carob candy.

Q: How do you find inspiration for flavors? What is the most popular? 

As a kid, I loved mint chocolate chip ice cream, and peanut butter cups. Because I remembered what thesetreats tasted like, I could use my sensory skills to develop and define a remarkable tasting treat. I loved the combination of salty and sweet. The salt lifts the flavors of my candy to new heights. Our best seller is the coconut, almond sea salt. Turns out, most people love coconut. Our Peanut Butter Cups are fast approaching our most popular.

Q: Tell us a little about your background. Have you owned a business before?

I have owned a business before. I have always had quite the entrepreneurial spirit. If I have an idea I just kind of go for it. When I moved to Boulder years ago from LA, stores like Ikea and Anthropologie weren’t here. From 2005-2010 I had Invironments, a modern interior design, eco friendly, affordable furniture showroom in the heart of Boulder. At the time, it was my pride and joy. I used the experience from that business and added a new love to my professional career; making treats that are not only remarkable, but are better for you.

I grew up in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelors in Graphic Design, lived and worked in LA and NYC during college and after college added interior design to my professional life 20 years ago.

Q: What is the biggest challenge of running a business? And biggest reward? 

Hours in a day. Having enough capital to run the race efficiently and the shear effort it takes to execute. The biggest reward-#1 I MAKE CANDY!. #2- I believe we all deserve to be happy. There is too much “yuck” in the world; food issues like gmos in our food supply, epidemic health issues like cancer and global warming, make me strive to spread a little light and love thru Missy J’s!

Q:What do you most love about Colorado? 

I LOVE BOULDER. I feel safe here. It’s pretty and the mentality suits me to a T.

Q: What is something readers would be surprised to know about you or your business? 

I have suffered with anxiety (who doesn’t really), which is why sugar and caffeine were off limits. Also- I never give up! When I get kicked in the gut, and I have many a time, I get right back up and keep going. It can be an ouch, but I just learn, grow and move on.