Page 36 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2016

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY opportunity knocks
story by Lori Beth Susman photos by James Edward Bates
BILLION
Tilman Fertitta is known by many titles. He is chairman, CEO and sole shareholder of Landry’s Inc., overseeing more than 500 properties and more than 50 restaurant, hotel and entertainment brands, and now he’s the Billion Dollar Buyer on a reality television show heading into its second season on CNBC.
As the Billion Dollar Buyer, Fertitta scouts the country for the most innovative new products entrepreneurs have to offer — products for his casinos and hotels. In each episode, he spends time with small businesses, sampling their goods, getting to know their owners and assessing their compatibility with his properties. He points out flaws in their products and operations, shares his expertise as a successful businessman and pushes
for improvements. At the end of each show, he decides whether or not to place a transformative purchase order.
Fertitta was recently in Biloxi filming an episode at Golden Nugget Biloxi, which he owns, as a way to showcase the area and find local businesses that would benefit from the opportunity.
DOLLAR
Pop Brothers, a gourmet ice pop business that crafts small batches of frozen treats with all-natural, inventive flavors made with fresh fruit and spices, showed their wares and discussed their business with Fertitta. Pop Brothers is owned by locals Chuck Kelly, Octavio Arzola and Mark Warren.
Fertitta met with the businessmen at their downtown Gulfport location and at the casino, where he watched customers at the pool react to the cool treats.
BUYER
“It’s an incredible opportunity and we are very grateful,” Arzola said, adding that Pop Brothers has
been in business barely a year. He said they successfully completed the first challenge Fertitta issued by selling a set number of the popsicles at the casino. Now, they have a second challenge to meet.
Arzola couldn’t release too many details, but the owners are working hard and are still in the show. “We are confident,” he said.
If the Pop Brothers’ products meet with Fertitta’s tough standards, a deal could be arranged to sell the ice pops at the casino resort or at any number of Fertitta’s
businesses. Tune in to CNBC’s Billion Dollar Buyer season premiere later this year to see
the results.
1501 25th Ave • Gulfport
228.206.0656 www.popbrothers.com
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