Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken McClain.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Polly’s Soda Pop was brought back to life by Ken and Cindy McClain, who were inspired by the nostalgic legacy of the local soft drink originally produced in Independence from 1923 to 1967. Their journey began with a dream of reviving the brand, which led Ken to acquire a vintage bottling line which had originally been housed at Union Station bottling Fitz Rootbeer. The couple faced numerous challenges, particularly in repairing the old bottling line. However, rather than being deterred, they began rolling out Polly’s flavors on tap at their local businesses, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback that encouraged them to continue their efforts. In 2016, the machine was finally operational and the first batch of Rootbeer was produced. Today Polly’s Pop comes in 16 flavors – including 5 diets. It is sold in over 200 locations across 20 states and can be found in all major grocery stores in the Kansas City metro area. This journey has not only been about reviving a drink but celebrating the community’s cherished history, culminating in a sweet success for the Independence community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The machine came without any manuals and many broken parts. They had to piece together a working manual by tracking down the right people with specific knowledge about the machine, and rewriting portions of it on their own through a series of trial and error. Most of the parts on the original machine that were broken are no longer in production so they had to find someone that could remanufacture exact replicas that way the bottling machine ran as intended.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a lawyer by trade and still practice today. My wife Cindy McClain is an entrepreneur and operates all 16 of our businesses located on the Independence Square.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
If you don’t quit, you can’t lose and never take “no” for an answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pollyssodapop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pollyssodapop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pollys.pop/
