Charles Coristine ditches finance burnout for a healthier life, transforming LesserEvil from a struggling snack company into a major player acquired by Hershey for $750 million.
Charles Coristine ditches finance burnout for a healthier life, transforming LesserEvil from a struggling snack company into a major player acquired by Hershey for $750 million.

Fo Shizzle My Nizzle From Stocks to Snacks!

Aight check it. This cat Charles Coristine used to be all about that Wall Street life at Morgan Stanley right? Hustlin' hard makin' deals but yo he was burnin' out faster than a blunt at a reggae fest. Midnight trades in Tokyo? London stock markets? That's some serious dedication but even the Doggfather knows you gotta chill sometimes. This dude tried everything – vegetarian diet meditation even an MBA but nothing was hittin' that sweet spot. Word.

BBQ Epiphany: From Flatlining to Flavor Town

Then bam! At a barbeque he meets the owner of this snack company called LesserEvil. Business was 'flatlining' you heard? But Coristine was intrigued. He dug the name said it was all 'synchronistic' with a healthy lifestyle and all that jazz. So what does this financial wizard do? He drops a quarter million of his own scrilla plus another hundred K later to buy this gig! No food experience just a gut feeling and a dream. Doggfather respects that kinda boldness. It's like droppin' a new track – you never know if it's gonna be a hit but you gotta roll the dice ya dig?

Risk It for the Biscuit: Low Odds High Reward

Now lemme tell you this wasn't no sure thing. LesserEvil was losin' money barely makin' a million a year. Coristine didn't even know anyone in the food game! He says if he'd done his homework he probably woulda run the other way. But sometimes ignorance is bliss ya know? Like when I first tried green… well never mind. Point is he took a leap of faith and now look at him!

From Danbury to Domination: The Snack Game Strong

Fast forward to today and LesserEvil is blowin' up the spot! Popcorns air popped puffs the whole shebang. You can find 'em in every major retailer from coast to coast. And the numbers don't lie fool. $103.3 million in annual GROSS sales by 2023 including $82.9 million in NET sales and $14.4 million in earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization or EBITDA. That's some serious cheddar ya heard? No diggity!

Hershey's Kisses LesserEvil Wishes: The $750 Million Jackpot

And the grand finale? Hershey the chocolate kings just dropped $750 million to acquire LesserEvil! Plus more money if they keep crushin' it! Coristine's stayin' on as CEO too. Talk about a come up! From Wall Street burnout to snack mogul this dude's livin' the dream. He took that 'Gin and Juice' and turned it into 'Popcorn and Profits' ya know?

Coconut Oil and Cosmic Karma: The Secret Sauce to Success

So what's the secret? Well Coristine surrounded himself with good people like his wakeboard instructor and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty literally painting the factory himself! Plus he wasn't afraid to try new things like poppin' popcorn in coconut oil. Boom! The Buddha Bowl was born and that joint took off like a rocket. They even had to deal with some lead issues in their Lil' Puffs but they bounced back like a G. Now Charles says he's workin' less feelin' happier and just wants LesserEvil to be a brand that sticks around for a long time. That's what I call real success fo shizzle!


Comments

  • carrieo profile pic
    carrieo
    5/27/2025 4:09:19 PM

    It's all about taking risks and believing in yourself. This proves it!

  • richard profile pic
    richard
    5/10/2025 3:53:27 PM

    I hope LesserEvil doesn't change too much now that Hershey owns them.

  • MCCARTHYW65 profile pic
    MCCARTHYW65
    5/2/2025 8:59:26 AM

    That coconut oil idea was genius! I'm addicted to that Buddha Bowl.

  • BUDDY3658 profile pic
    BUDDY3658
    5/1/2025 6:10:59 AM

    So basically, quit your job and start a snack company. Got it!

  • Rhythmatik profile pic
    Rhythmatik
    4/27/2025 1:43:12 AM

    Seriously though, this guy is a legend. From Wall Street to snacks, that's a transition!