By Chanda Temple
For almost three months, Tanesha Sims-Summers debated whether she would get real on social media about a big issue facing her company.
In late fall 2025, her Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. food truck, stopped running. At first, she thought it would be an easy fix because she and her husband, Clem Summers, have faced truck challenges in the past. But this issue was different.
The mechanic told them that the part and labor to fix the truck, which is known as Ms. Poppy, would be $6,500. (The rear differential, which distributes engine power to the rear axel, was not working.) And to make matters worse, they would have to pay up front to order the part.
They didn’t have the money for such a repair, and Tanesha thought long and hard about what to do: Should she start a Go Fund Me?
She and her husband discussed it, but she was hesitant: “What would people think?” Her husband, always the family protector, made a post on Facebook on Jan. 13, 2026. Followers responded with prayers, support and donations.
Then, last week on her Facebook page, Tanesha unleashed what she had been holding back for so long: the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur and the pain of asking for help.
In a nutshell, she felt like a failure. Here she was, a 12-year business veteran who has been a mentor to others, appeared on panels, served as a facilitator for a business class for novice entrepreneurs, given to others’ non-profit causes and received several awards. Asking for help felt contradictory to her. But as she typed out her situation, she felt a release. She was finally free to show her scars and to let the healing begin.
“I had to reposition my mind. I said that this is no different from companies asking for a bailout,” she said. “Once I got past the fear of what people would think, it made me feel free … and to say it’s OK to ask for help.”
As of this morning, their Go Fund Me has raised $5,175. But when they started the Go Fund Me, they did not take into account the money they’ve lost from not being able to attend events with Ms. Poppy. So, a friend will host a “community thank you” event on Sunday, Feb. 8 on Birmingham’s Southside to give customers a chance to buy Naughty But Nice products and merchandise and make additional donations. Tanesha said more details will be released later.
Until then, Tanesha is still selling her artisanal kettle corn at their brick and mortar in Woodlawn and at pop-up events. Last week as she worked her vending table at a local hospital, a veteran in a wheelchair asked which was the best kettle corn flavor to try: Cookies and Cream, French Toast or Nice and Buttery.
Said Tanesha: “Everything we sell is the best.”
As the veteran looked at the table, still puzzled over what to buy for the first time, Tanesha made it easy for him. She handed him a bag for free.
Said Tanesha: “I’m sure you’ll be back if you really love it.”
He left smiling.
Said Tanesha: “See, I just love our customers. It’s just a vibe. That’s what we are trying to do: spread kindness and togetherness.”
Tanesha may be facing salty situations now. In addition needing to repair the 2004 truck, which they bought from Golden Flake in 2019 and then had it outfitted and ready to roll right before an unexpected pandemic hit in 2020, she is also grieving the September 2025 death of mother and her aunt passing a few weeks after that. However, she hopes her journey will encourage others not to suffer in silence. When there is a problem, whether it’s in running a business, in a relationship, in health, etc., seeking help is a strength and not a weakness, she said.
“This moment is teaching us that you have to fight for what you believe, and maybe it doesn’t make you a failure, it makes you a warrior,” she said. “Lean into your community.”
She said she’s thankful for the support.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “It has also been reassuring, empowering and encouraging.”
“It’s proof that people believe in you because they are investing in you. This is capital raising. People are saying if Ms. Poppy is back up and running, (Tanesha and Clem) will continue to operate in excellence and take it a notch further.”
As she prepares for another week of business and caring for her family, she cannot help but reflect on what others have said to her.
“This week, a donor called me and applauded me for my openness. He said people will often judge people by the season they are in, not knowing it’s the season they need to catapult them,” she said. “This is my season.”
Savor This: Here’s How to support Naughty But Nice
- Their GoFund Me is in this link.
- They are located at 5831 First Ave. North, Suite 200 in Birmingham, and they are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- They are open on Fridays for pre-order pickups.
- They make weekend appearances for events, and they list those events on their website.
- They ship across the country.
- They have 10 flavors and seasonal flavors, but they also collaborate with those in the food industry to recreate flavors.
- Their email address is whatspoppin@nbnkettlecorn.com. Their phone number is 205-915-2528.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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