Life is sweet for Conroe 12-year-old who started freeze-dried candy business

Anthony Granados is just months into launching his own freeze-dried candy business and it’s already been a sweet ride. 

The 12-year-old who lives in Conroe, started Cool Crunch Candy & More in the spring as a way to fund his participation in a competitive soccer team through Global Football Innovation Academy in Spring. He’s played soccer since he was 4 and recently joined up with the competitive team. 

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Now, he’s hoping to raise enough money to travel with his team to Madrid during Spring Break. He’s participated in community events and festivals and the candy is sold at his mom’s V.I.P. Salon & Day Spa business in Conroe. 

He started his entrepreneurship by selling lemonade and he continues to sell lemonade in his neighborhood. 

The first time he tried freeze-dried candy he wasn’t exactly sure what it was. 

“One of my neighbors, Abby, let me try her candy. She had a big bag of freeze-dried candy. I thought it was legit like acorns or something. I was confused,” he said. “Then I tried it and it was super good.” 

Through the freeze-drying process, regular candy, taffy, gummy candy, marshmallows, etc can become light, puffy, crunchy versions of the sugary snacks. He labels his creations “puffs.” 

The freeze-drying machine he uses is roughly the size of a smaller drink refrigerator. He said it’s a cool process to watch while making the candy on the weekends and after school. 

“It can take anywhere from six to 24 hours depending on what type of candy it is,” he said. The gummy candies take the longest time. 

Then he packages the candy and sells it in small and large bags and small tubs. He said his best sellers are the “original puffs” made with fruit-flavored candy. His favorites are the berry puffs. 

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This summer, he was invited to a networking event as the youngest member. 

“At first I was nervous because it was new for me, but I enjoyed it,” he said. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his late great-grandfather who started a business and his grandfather and mom, Jacquelyn Odom, who are business owners. 

Odom jokes she’s his employee and the candy making and selling brings bonding time for the duo. Her favorite flavor is the spicy puffs with Chamoy and Tajin seasoning. 

She’s confident her son is well on his way to making his goal for the trip. 

“I’m very proud of him. He’s a very hard worker and when he wants something he’s going to go get it,” she said. “He’s always giving it 100 percent at  everything.” 

The V.I.P. Salon & Day Spa is at 615 Longmire Road in Conroe. There is a display with Cool Crunch Candy & More available in the lobby. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Monday. 

Next up he’ll be at the Canton in Conroe holiday market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Wilkinson Elementary. 

“It would be such a blessing,” he said of being able to travel to Madrid with his team.