When Minke Robinson launched Kroy Korn, it wasn’t just a business idea. It was a lifeline. After her son Kory was diagnosed with autism, Minke found herself in unfamiliar territory. She was searching for answers, searching for joy, and most importantly, searching for a way to reconnect.
“When Kory was diagnosed with autism, it was such a heavy journey and I felt defeated,” Minke shared. “As a mom, I didn’t know what to do, so I created something to help him. And when I created something to help him, it in turn created something in me. So, I’m just thankful, I give God all the glory for this opportunity because this is a God LED business.”
That business, Kroy Korn, is preparing to make its way from home kitchens to retail shelves. Minke is one of RICE’s fourteen recipients of Walmart’s Road to Open Call Fast Passes, earning the opportunity to pitch her product directly to Walmart buyers in Bentonville, Arkansas come October. It is a major step forward for a founder who built her brand with intention, resilience, and faith.
This moment represents more than a win for one business. It is a clear example of what can happen when vision is matched with preparation and community. Minke is a proud graduate of the first-ever Retail Readiness Academy™ (RRA™) cohort at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. Through the RRA™ program, she received coaching from industry leaders, refined her branding and packaging, and prepared for the moment that is now in front of her.
“My E-I-R that I work with was Stefan and he was able to support me with my packaging and just make me more confident in believing that the packaging would work for us,” Minke said. “However, my branding just wasn’t speaking loud. So, because my branding wasn’t speaking loudly, it just kind of left us in the back of the chip aisle. So, I was just trusting the process of the packaging. Our packaging now is amazing. With the opportunity with RRA, they completely gave me a retail readiness makeover. So, in the makeover I received new bags and just new confidence.”
Her journey was guided by the leadership of RRA™ faculty, including Stefan Miller of Young King Hair Care and Terri-Nichelle Bradley of Brown Toy Box, who helped prepare her for the real expectations of national retail buyers. But even more than the technical training, Minke credits her progress to her decision to lean in fully.
“I had the opportunity to pitch to Walmart last year and I wasn’t selected for a fast pass, so that made me a little bit more hungry,” she said. “So, I came to every symposium meeting, every pitch, training, everything, just to ensure that I was prepared for this.”
Today, her story is an inspiration for the newest members of the Retail Readiness Academy™. The 2025 RRA™ cohort was just announced, and these emerging founders are stepping into a program that has already helped trailblazers like Minke grow from local favorites to shelf-ready competitors.
Meet the full 2025 RRA™ Cohort and learn more about the founders shaping the future of retail:
https://russellcenter.org/meet-the-makers-announcing-the-2025-rra-cohort/
It is also important to know that earning a Fast Pass is only the beginning. All founders interested in Walmart’s Open Call, including those with a Fast Pass, must complete the full application process to attend the national event. Walmart Open Call is one of the most influential product pitch opportunities in the country, offering shelf space to entrepreneurs with U.S.-manufactured goods who are ready for mass retail exposure.
Applications are open now. If you are preparing your product for retail or looking for a chance to scale, this is the moment to act. Apply to Walmart Open Call 2025:
https://www.walmart.com/content/walmart-us/en_us/suppliers/open-call.html
Watch Minke’s story and see what is possible:
https://youtu.be/A_O6qRwqF8I
Minke’s success through RRA™ and her continued rise with Kroy Korn is a reminder that behind every great brand is a greater purpose. What started as a way to help her son has now become a business that brings joy, connection, and culture to every customer it touches. Her shelves may soon be stocked across the nation, but her foundation will always be rooted in faith, love, and legacy.
