Welcome to "Morgan Entrepreneur Spotlight," our monthly-ish showcase where we shine a light on Northeast Ohio's entrepreneurial superstars. Each feature delves into the journeys of individuals who have participated in our programs and are harnessing their learnings to fuel impressive growth and innovation.
Randa Jackson is the owner of a startup, Cleveland Cotton Candy Machines, which she founded in 2023. Randa has participated in many foundation- sponsored programs, including learning and networking programs, pitch competitions and mentoring programs.
About Your Business
Please tell us a little about your business.
“We specialize in automated cotton candy machine vending, mobile machine rentals and custom designed packaged cotton candy. We provide cotton candy for school events, birthdays, non-profit events, weddings, and baby showers. If you are hosting something and you want to make it memorable, our machines are exactly what you need!
What inspired you to start your business?
“We were experiencing some family challenges - we had three kids in our home, I was pregnant with one on the way, and we needed a semi-passive way to make ends meet and to support our growing family. A good friend of mine owned and suggested these machines, and he offered to let us finance one from him to help us get back on our feet. I convinced the owner of NEO Sports Plant, Roger Smith, to let me start my business with him. He gave us a chance, and it was mostly up from there.”
Which foundation-supported entrepreneurship programs or opportunities have you participated in?
“Man, Burton D. Morgan Foundation has been like the silent support in a lot of my journey. The first time I encountered a foundation-supported event was the Hudson Library’s Small Business Pitch Competition. I won $5,000 and that event was sponsored by Burton D. Morgan Foundation. Next, I participated in an event through the Cleveland Leadership Center called Accelerate to pitch my non-profit initiative called the Cleveland Children’s Small Business Fair. Morgan Foundation was one of the platinum sponsors for that. My most recent participation in Morgan Foundation sponsored programs was the Weston Ideation Labs Peer Mentor Program through CSU and a peer-network founder’s luncheon event hosted at the foundation’s office. Not to mention the number of small business organizations that receive funding from Morgan Foundation to implement training programs I’ve participated in throughout the past three years. I’ve purchased equipment, gained exposure, and established relationships that have catapulted my business because of the support of the foundation. I couldn’t be more grateful for the way they have helped me.”
What were your most valuable takeaways from those experiences?
“My most valuable takeaway from those experiences would be that relationships are ten thousand times more valuable than money. Often times, even money well spent only provides material things with an expiration date, but relationships yield residual blessings.”
What progress, milestones or key wins have you experienced since participating in foundation-supported programming?
“So many things! I’ve been able to expand our product offerings to operate our equipment indoors with the purchase of a portable battery pack. The business has gained so much visibility from being placed on platforms to share the business, my passion and my story. I recently purchased a new machine that allows us to offer a more affordable and customer-friendly product for my clients! I have tremendously expanded my network!”
What has been the most unexpected challenge you've faced while building your business, and how did you navigate it?
“I've actually had two major challenges. When I started my business, I didn't know anything about what was required to operate. I just thought you have an idea and you just do it! After we got our first machine, I thought “how are people going to find us?” So I created a website called clevelandcottoncandy.org, because someone owned the .com site and was charging way too much for me to acquire it. Surely that business name was available because the website was available… I paid $400 to start this site. Built the thing all by myself! I was proud of what I had done! I signed up with Jumpstart to take a business class, and I found out that I needed to register my business with the state. Ok, no problem. But when I went to the state’s site to register, guess what name was already claimed - “Cleveland Cotton Candy.” I felt like an idiot! I had invested all this money and time into creating this site, creating this brand and the darn thing was already taken! So… I said to myself, “well, I don’t have money to buy another site, I’m just going to have to get creative, and pray that the person who owns Cleveland Cotton Candy doesn’t absolutely hate me after this.” I asked myself what makes my company unique, and I came up with the fact that we use machines! And that’s how Cleveland Cotton Candy Machines was born.
Along with that, I also had a lot of issues when I tried to get our equipment registered. I didn’t realize that equipment could be sold that wasn’t compliant to operate in the US. I didn’t even know that was something I needed to ask. I ended up contacting one of the US House of Representatives to advocate on my behalf with the State Health Department to recognize my equipment in all of the capacities that I wished to operate. He negotiated for them to create an amendment to the laws that would allow me to be the first in the state to dual license my equipment.”
Along with that, I also had a lot of issues when I tried to get our equipment registered. I didn’t realize that equipment could be sold that wasn’t compliant to operate in the US. I didn’t even know that was something I needed to ask. I ended up contacting one of the US House of Representatives to advocate on my behalf with the State Health Department to recognize my equipment in all of the capacities that I wished to operate. He negotiated for them to create an amendment to the laws that would allow me to be the first in the state to dual license my equipment.”
What are one to three goals you have for your business over the next twelve months?
“I am in a unique place in my business. It’s growing so much and so fast and I don’t know if I can keep up. I don’t know if I want to invest what is needed to take it to the next level, and it has so much potential, it would be a shame not to explore it! In the next twelve months I either plan to sell my business to someone who has more capacity to make the business the best it could be, or I plan to take a leap of faith and secure a brick-and-mortar location to create the foundation for the direction that my brand needs to go.”
Where would you like to see your business in three to five years?
“We currently operate vending machines in permit locations, rent our equipment for events and parties and provide packaged cotton candy for individuals and businesses, even in a grocery store. With the right investment, I’d love to see my business operating as a franchise. People managing territories, providing magical experiences all over the country, and creating a legacy for themselves and their families! Cotton candy brings so much joy to people’s lives. I have people who drive for miles and pay thousands of dollars to work with us! It’s more than just cotton candy, it’s creating a lasting impact.”
Personal Reflections
What is something about entrepreneurship you know now that you wish you had known when you started?
“I should’ve consulted a business advisor. I paid someone $800 to help me file the paperwork to start my business and that paperwork only cost $99 to process. Like I said before, I purchased equipment that wasn’t even compliant to operate in the state. I purchased a trailer to create operational efficiencies and have never even taken it out of my backyard. I wasted SO MUCH MONEY, which has held my business back. But now, I feel like an expert in the industry because I know the best and worst ways to work this business.”
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting a business?
“Research, Research, Research! Find a mentor doing the same thing you want to do. If it weren’t for my mentor in the early stages of my business guiding me day after day through some of these pitfalls, I definitely would’ve quit. Having someone to lean on who knows your struggle and has come out on the other side helps defeat the demons telling you that you can’t make it! Also, NETWORK!! Attend every class and get to know the small business organizations and liaisons in your community. They can and will help you! Regularly consult the resources available - you’ll be 10 times better for it!”
How do you define success?
“Success to me is progressing forward every day, whether that’s progressing because of a win or progressing through a difficult time. If you’re still going, that means you made it and you have a new opportunity to learn and grow.”
What is your favorite quote, saying or piece of advice?
“Positive Thoughts = Positive Results. Very few positive things come from having a negative perspective. Usually what you put out is what you get back in return. And if you can’t help but be in a negative space, isolate and rejuvenate until you can find something positive to cling to. Yeah, you had a loss this month, but customers gave positive feedback about that product you just introduced. Yeah, your staff isn’t showing up, but what about that great opportunity you just secured! Negative things are bound to happen but if you sit on them, you never give them an opportunity to pass.”
What are you reading, listening to or learning from right now?
“I’ve been listening to a lot of self-development podcasts. I have actually been dealing with a lot of negativity in my own personal circumstances. Some days I think ‘All of this has to be for a bigger purpose, a great purpose. Experiencing this much negativity all at once can’t be for nothing.’ So I’ve been listen to things to help me understand where I need to grow and be a better person, with the expectation that my internal growth will encourage a positive change around me as well.”
What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you or your business?
“I started my business because my fiancé at the time had an autoimmune disease. He lost his job and we needed to supplement our income. I created this business for him and the family we created, and we have recently broken up. That has caused me to have to re-evaluate my why in business. This is one of those negative things I was referencing, but I believe all things happen in life for a reason and for the greater good. I am waiting patiently to see how this chapter ends for me.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Come see us at the Cleveland Children’s Small Business Fair on Sunday, October 11!
To learn more about Morgan Foundation sponsored programs and opportunities for startups, contact Angela Evans.
If you have participated in Morgan Foundation sponsored programs and are interested in being featured in the Spotlight, contact Gina Dotson.