King of Pops started with a single pushcart on an Atlanta street corner. Today, the company’s pushcarts and iconic rainbow umbrellas are recognized all across the South for their tasty ice pops made with quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations. Nick Carse, a co-founder of the company, will share the King of Pops success story when he comes to Newnan this August as keynote speaker for the Newnan-Coweta Chamber’s 2018 Small Business of the Year Awards.

Presented by SouthTowne Motors and UBS Financial Services, Inc., this year’s Small Business of the Year Awards are set for August 29, 2018 at The Newnan Centre. These awards pay tribute to the strength of Coweta’s small businesses and will recognize one of our community’s small businesses as the outstanding Small Business of the Year at the awards ceremony luncheon.

King of Pops co-founder Nick Carse is a true renaissance man playing the part of entrepreneur. He could start his day in a difficult negotiation with a company 100 times the size of King of Pops, quickly rewire an outlet at headquarters, and then ride his bike home to work in his garden. He’s a tireless worker, has really long hair, and is the engine that makes sure things continue to progress.

According to the company, there was never really a plan for King of Pops. It started as a conversation that three brothers were having on an epic trip through Central America. Over the years, that conversation turned into a dream, and when the youngest of the three, Steven, was laid off from his corporate job during the Great Recession, that dream became a reality. A few months later, Steven’s brother Nick left his job as a lawyer to become the second employee. The brothers went from layoffs and courtrooms to making people happy. The sharp contrast helped them realize how precious each day really is.

King of Pops can be found all across the Southeast with their famous pushcarts and rainbow umbrellas, in “poptails” at bars and restaurants, in stadiums and local universities, and in freezers at stores in local neighborhoods.

The Small Business of the Year Award winners will be announced on August 29, 2018, during the Small Business of the Year Awards and Celebration, set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Newnan Centre, 1515 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan. Tickets for the event are $35 for Chamber members and guests, $50 for non-members, and are available at the Newnan-Coweta Chamber or online at newnancowetachamber.org or by calling 770.253.2270.

The Chamber’s Top 10 Finalists for the 2018 awards are Cleaning With a Cause, Newnan;Dirt1X, Sharpsburg; Fine Lines Art & Framing, Newnan; Goldens on the Square, Newnan; J&M Pool Services, LLC, Senoia; Knox Pest Control Inc., Newnan; Mid-Georgia Garage Doors, Inc., Newnan;Monster Tree Service, Newnan; Moto-Tec-it.com, Newnan; and The Lighting Studio, Senoia.

The 2018 Honorable Mention Award Winners are Alfa Insurance, Sharpsburg; Aquanaut Plumbing Services, Senoia; At Home Assistants, Newnan; Cycle City Powersports, Newnan; Digital Collective, Fayetteville; Popped! Gourmet Popcorn and Fun Treats, Newnan; and Tim Stout & Associates, Senoia.

New this year, the Small Business Awards will also include the presentation of the first Legacy Award, an award that will recognize a longtime Coweta County business that is known for its contributions to the local economy.