Tessa Porter, a graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has established a candy business called Sprinkk in Omaha. Porter, who is from Albion, Nebraska, says her time as a student worker at the Food Processing Center at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources influenced her career path. She worked on developing a candy line after an internship with Hershey, which helped her enter the confectionery industry.
Porter graduated in 2009 with a degree in food science and technology. She then worked for national food companies, including Hershey, where she developed new candy products and gained industry experience. Later, she returned to Nebraska to earn an online MBA from the College of Business, which she says helped her develop business and leadership skills needed to start her company.
Porter states that the leadership training from her MBA program helped her build confidence and learn from setbacks. She says this approach has allowed Sprinkk to adapt in a competitive market. The company produces items such as fruit snacks based on family recipes and plans to release a Husker-themed gummy candy…