Jun 27, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cornish, the spirited co-founder and “Head Bandit” behind The Froot Thief—a fruit snack brand that’s turning heads and winning lunchboxes.
Jonathan’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and big flavor. We
discuss how a family-run business gave him and his brother their
first break over 25 years ago, and how that act of faith continues
to shape their approach today. That foundation—combined with deep
experience in retail and manufacturing—set the stage for a snack
brand that’s anything but ordinary.
We dive into how The Froot Thief went
from a bold idea during lockdown to landing on Costco shelves
nationwide. What I love about this episode is how honest Jonathan
is about the risks, the emotional journey, and the fulfillment that
comes from building something you truly believe in.
From production lines in South Africa to school lunches in the
U.S., this is a story about purpose, play, and the power of
trusting your instincts.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How a simple act of belief launched a 25-year entrepreneurial
journey
* The Costco call that changed everything: “I’ll take every strand
you can make”
* Creating a clean-label fruit snack that’s as fun as it is
nutritious
* Navigating tariffs, manufacturing, and the realities of scaling
internationally
* Why “fruit
spaghetti” and 100 inches of fun are stealing the snack
spotlight
Join me, Ramon
Vela, as I listen to the episode and discover why this snack
brand is not only worth trying but also worth supporting. If you’ve
got kids, love fruit, or just want a great founder story, you won’t
want to miss this one.
For more on The Froot Thief, visit: https://www.frootthief.com/
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