Suckerborne Lollipops- Connecticut, USA

I have a very distinct memory of candies, growing up, as most people do. Candies are a comfort food. They are what you eat to celebrate an event as well as to console yourself in times of grief. As a child, candy is presented as an award. And, it is one of the most valuable objects that you can sneak into a classroom. In fact, I remember students auctioning off lollipops during recess and bargaining anything from “promising to be your best friend” to stickers and baseball cards. Lollipops were always a big hit.

For this reason, it is no surprise that Megan Ferrell has created a growing success with her Suckerborne™ lollipops. As lollipops, these candies are nostalgic for adults—they are fun to eat and bring you back to a time when lollipops truly were one of the many highlights in your day. Most importantly, Suckerbornes™ were created specifically for adults!

Lemon Vodka Meanytini Suckers

With unique flavors like Champagne, Lemon Vodka Martini, Dark and Stormy, Sambuca, and Amaretto, Ferrell often asks children to get parents’ permission before allowing them to purchase an alcohol-laden sucker (even though the alcohol cooks out during the preparation). For a less “hard” but equally intoxicating flavor, you can also choose from Espresso, Brown Sugar Maple Bacon, Orange Dream, Key Lime Mint, and Snow Flake Mint pops. 

Ferrell created all the unique flavors from a plethora of kitchen tests and flavor suggestions from friends. The name “suckerborne” was the product of her creativity, and by no means inspired by a jab! Ferrell admits that although most lollipop recipes require a basic combination of cornstarch, water and sugar, Suckerbornes™ are made from all natural ingredients with no preservatives. Although she has no formal candy making background, cooking was always a childhood interest of Ferrell’s.

“I grew up loving lollipops”, attests Ferrell, “even though I once had one stuck to the roof of my mouth!” In a panic, Ferrell turned to her mother to help remove it. “The only other lollipop fiasco that I could think of was in trying to create a beer and pretzel flavored Suckerborne™.” While the cook now understands the finer points of using beer in recipes, she admits that the thought of this failed taste test still makes her gag!

Ferrell hand-makes each sucker and does her own flavor combination experimenting to develop original flavors. The most popular flavor, as well as her favorite, is the Brown Sugar Maple Bacon, in which she even uses real bacon! Customers find that it pairs nicely with the Espresso pop for a quick breakfast fix.

Brown Sugar Maple Bacon Suckers

More impressive than Ferrell’s gourmet flavors is her business aptitude. Suckerborne™ started three years ago when her design business slowed down as a result of the economy. Ferrell immediately began pursuing her delectable dream and brainstorming all natural recipes for the sucker that was sure to impress an adult palate. Because most of the marketing and design is done by Ferrell herself, she found this project to be a natural segue into her next career. And as a result, she has been able to follow the success of Suckerbornes™ all the way from her home kitchen to NBC’s Today Show, where the company was featured on a segment with Kathie Lee and Hoda.

It is clear that Ferrell’s passion comes out in her work. Her product delivers a unique taste to a nostalgic delight with which no other lollipop can compete. For anyone trying to begin their own business, Ferrell offers this piece of advice: Jump. Be ready to work hard and remember that the work you are doing is for you. You have to be disciplined and flexible with your schedule. But, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your hard work making other people smile.

(For more information on Suckerborne™ visit www.Suckerborne.com.) Parents, note that Ferrell also has strawberry and cotton candy flavors available for younger suckers.)