Daily Inspiration: Meet Joette Turner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joette Turner.

Hi Joette, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I would like to say what an honor to be asked to do this, what an opportunity, and what a challenge!
Like many entrepreneurs, it is the story of “how did we get here”, that requires you to pause, to take time to think, and then you realize that it wasn’t in a blink.

Back 30 plus years ago I was blessed to have a relationship with an older lady, we spent a lot of time talking, her telling her stories, and me sharing mine. One particular such time together she invited me to home and we spent time making treats in her kitchen. It was a great day learning about sweets and treats. One particular recipe was near and dear to her heart, today you all know it as the original! So that’s where it all originated from.

Over the next 30 plus I had made the toffee so many times for friends and family, that today I know the recipe by heart. Here is where I will tell you this recipe is of course a secret that I promised not to share! I have had many people tell me that there is something different about this toffee and I can only say, there sure is! After years of people saying “this is so good” “you should sell it” I for years struggled with the idea of selling it. In fact when my kids asked when I was ever going to sell it, my answer was, “When Pigs Fly”.

You guessed it, that’s why it’s called, Flying Pig Candy Company. Well that and the other fact that I’m a collector of anything that portrays a flying pig, and have been for years. So after talking with my husband, who believes in me, we decided on a name, and decided to start on this adventure!

As of April, we have a variety of 8 different flavors, 6 which are the “staple” of the company. The other 2, Key Lime Dream, and Peppermint Twist are season specials, and are made to order upon request. The stable of flavors are, Original Walnut, White Chocolate Macadamia, Southern Orange Pecan, Pistachio, Chocolate Espresso, and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt with Almonds. The exciting news is that mid-May our 9th flavor and our 3rd seasonal flavor will be hitting the scene, Maple Bacon Magic, yup it’s as good, delicious and interesting as its sounds, just like all the other flavors. Honestly you can’t have a company called Flying Pig Candy Co. and not have a bacon product! Right?

We have been fortunate in these first months to have our toffee sent all across the United States, we have even had people in Jamaica try it. And currently working on the ability to ship internationally. We ship anywhere in the U.S. currently, always within 48 hours of receiving the order, we deliver locally, and are in 5 locations in North Carolina. We are looking into constantly growing in other areas, as long as it does not compromise the product in any way.

The toffee is packaged and sealed in bags, and 3 different size jars, making it perfect for personal consumption or as a gift. You can even purchase a sample pack, which is 4 flavors of your choice, sent to you in our small jars so you can try it, or share it. To find us just go to our website, send us a message and we will let you know or simply follow us on Instagram or Facebook. I hope this story about us encourages you to never think you can’t do what you have a dream to do, just don’t wait 30 years! Just think of Flyingpigcandyco.com where Sweet Dreams Take Flight!

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?
So since November of 2024 we have evolved to what you see today, again like so many others who have started their own business, it has so many things that you must learn to keep it moving! I won’t go into all those details, but it’s like drinking out of a firehose, but one thing is people not knowing that it’s toffee until they try it.

As an example, all of these flavors that we now make, have come from conversations with them, or a customer request, or me just playing with an idea in the “test kitchen”. By the way it is always a fun time trying something new, the reactions are usually met with the eyeroll, or the scrunchy face, or the “holy cow that tastes great!”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Toffee Creater. Making toffee and running the business

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
A couple of things I have learned is that you may think you have enough startup capital, but no matter how much you plan, things just keep requiring you to push through! To start this company it has all been just us, me and my husband providing the finances and vision, We have poured all available resources to this point. Figuring out a website and not even having a clue how to get it up and running! One of the great things is the network of people your family knows and that helped launch the website to make it live. That’s why the day that the website flyingpigcandyco.com went “live” was truly a joyous and exciting moment! My family is very supportive in many different ways they contribute. And I would be negligent if I didn’t recognize them and let them know I love them and truly appreciate their support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flyingpigcandyco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingpigcandyco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com//flyingpigcandyco