Ep 6. Donut Destiny

Million Dollar Genius is a show that showcases some of the most successful businessmen and women in the world. In each episode, we get an in-depth look at the genius behind some of the world’s biggest and most exciting inventions, and learn about how they went from small idea to multi-million dollar success story.

In season 1, episode 6, titled Donut Destiny, we delve into the world of the doughnut and discover how a humble pastry became a culinary staple. In this episode, we meet the likes of Paul Mullins, the founder of the famous Voodoo Doughnut shop, and Albie Schultz, the creator of the world-renowned Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

The episode starts by exploring the history of the doughnut, taking us back to the Dutch origins of the pastry in the 18th century. It then moves on to the likes of Paul Mullins, who in 2003 opened the now-famous Voodoo Doughnut shop in Portland, Oregon. We hear about how the store became an overnight sensation, thanks to their unique, quirky doughnuts (such as the maple bacon bar) and their daring and outrageous marketing ideas (such as a legal wedding service held in store).

We then hear from Albie Schultz who takes us on a journey through his journey as the creator and CEO of Krispy Kreme. Schultz tells us how he started with just one doughnut recipe, and went on to build an empire that would not only sell millions of doughnuts every day but would also redefine the way Americans thought about coffee. We learn how Krispy Kreme went from being a small business in North Carolina to a sprawling international corporation, and how their whole approach to business was based on the principle of sharing happy moments with their customers.

We also hear from several other doughnut entrepreneurs who have built their own successful businesses. One of these is Nick Azzaro, who started Glazed & Infused in 2012, a gourmet doughnut shop on the streets of Chicago. We learn about how he came up with the unique and tantalizing flavors of his doughnuts (such as maple bacon long johns and apple fritters), and how he used social media to build his brand and grow his business.

The episode ends by exploring the future of the doughnut industry. We hear about how some new companies are trying to innovate and create new, healthier ways of enjoying the doughnut, such as making them gluten-free or using alternative ingredients. We also learn how the doughnut industry is becoming increasingly global, with new flavors and styles of doughnuts being created all around the world.

Overall, Donut Destiny is a fascinating and enjoyable look at one of America's favorite pastries. We get to hear from some of the most successful figures in the industry and learn about the history and evolution of the doughnut. Anyone who loves doughnuts or is interested in the business of food will surely find this episode enlightening and enjoyable.