Jason Angeles was watching the movie “Shrek” when he had an “ah-ha” moment.
As Shrek and Fiona were walking through a field, Fiona sees cobwebs laced with bugs. She grabs a stick and weaves it into a cotton candy-like dessert for Shrek.
Angeles wondered why cotton candy didn’t have ingredients weaved in, just like in the movie. Fast forward to 2013, and Angeles reached out to Justin Isip to co-found San Francisco-based Sugar & Spun.
Gone are the days of boring and overly sweet blue or pink cotton candy. Sugar & Spun’s new standard includes flavors such as Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter, Li Hing Pineapple, Cookie Butter and Chocolate Hazelnut Banana, just to name a few.
Sugar & Spun uses organic sugar, fruit and other natural ingredients. The company weaves in dry toppings and powders to create new and intricate flavors never seen before in cotton candy. And because the cotton candy is packed in resealable tubs, Sugar & Spun guarantees a four-month shelf life. Cotton candy lovers can enjoy it at their own pace.
Below, Justin and Jason talk their dream collaborations, burrito blankets and being their own bosses.
If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one kind of candy, what would it be?
Justin: Milk chocolate M&M’S
Jason: Justin’s Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
What’s the last cool thing you saw online?
Justin: The Burrito Blanket
Jason: Autonomous planes
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Justin: Batman - basically rich with lots of toys
Jason: A Major League Baseball player
What issues concern you most about the confectionery industry and why?
Justin: The misconceptions of candy. There IS healthy candy out there!
Jason: Constantly changing trends on what’s healthy vs. not healthy
What’s the last book you’ve read?
Justin: “Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future” by Peter Thiel
Jason: “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” by Malcolm Gladwell
What is your pet peeve?
Justin: Dirty dishes
Jason: Lazy people
If given the chance to choose anyone, with whom would you like to collaborate?
Justin: Solange Knowles
Jason: Oprah Winfrey
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Justin: If you’re going to get wet, you might as well go swimming.
Jason: The harder the task, the more rewarding the completion.
What excites you most about your job?
Justin: Being my own boss and seeing firsthand how I can positively impact people’s lives.
Jason: Seeing something that I thought was a crazy idea and it being made into an actual product that is purchased and distributed throughout the United States and Canada.
