Q&A Interview: Dave Lisowski, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Flix Candy

What is the mission statement for Flix Candy? How are your mission and values reflected in everyday operations? 

We are a collaborative family business that is more than 55 years old. You can feel our mission in everything we do. We are passionate storytellers. We aim to be innovative. We are always thinking about ways to add value and fun for our customers, and ultimately for the consumer. Quality assurance, control and safety are at the core of what we do. We prioritize customer service and employee development above all else and never allow profits to guide our decisions. This has paid off in our pursuit of bringing trust and lasting joy to our consumers. 

What sets Flix Candy apart in the candy category and industry at large?

Our nimbleness and ingenuity really set us apart. We are flexible in our processes and open to new technologies to find creative ways to get the results needed. We look to lead, not follow. 

We believe that what sets us apart is our ability to convey a story. As manufacturers in the licensing space, we strive to bring our licensors’ themes and storylines into our products wherever possible. From the packaging to interaction, to the flavors, we look for ways to make it even more fun. It’s important to us that our candy is unique and creates an emotional connection with our consumers. We focus on each franchise and what our consumer will likely expect from our product experience. For example, introducing a flavor or texture that embodies the essence of a specific character or story helps bring the experience through the enjoyment of the product.

How has the company remained competitive while addressing obstacles, namely in the past with Covid restrictions and current and potential tariff impacts? 

As a company, we believe challenges reveal new opportunities. Our size and our people are an advantage. We welcome industry and global shifts, as they have been catalysts for innovative new product launches. Companywide, we know how to pivot in lockstep. 

For instance, years ago, we experienced the introduction of tariffs. We embraced these learnings and applied them to how we source, develop and purchase. We expanded our global manufacturing, and when the 2025 tariffs landed on everyone, we were already primed and ready to take action. 

What is the leadership style at Flix Candy? How do your leaders champion teams and foster professional development? 

There’s a famous quote from Winston Churchill: “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” That sums up our leadership and our team. Failure can be the best teacher when we listen, learn, adapt and remain enthusiastic. 

My overall style is to inspire our team to find their internal passion. While you are hired for a specific job, there is always an opportunity to cross-train and learn multiple areas of business. I have the honor to be around amazing people. I look to educate, demonstrate, guide and empower. Being able to elevate people and having the opportunity to see them grow is what truly inspires me! 

Can you tell us how Flix Candy has evolved in the last five years? 

In the last five years, our technology has evolved. But we’ve also evolved in our people, including sales, quality, customer service, supply chain, warehousing and finance. Everyone has a voice and everyone is welcome to express and advocate. 

Covid taught us to order differently, explore alternative solutions and plan proactively to find ways to stay competitive. The Diamond family hired our current President of Imaginings 3, Inc., Dale Thomas, who has greatly impacted our overall view of company culture and strategic vision. He has helped foster a new mindset across the entire organization that success can be accomplished well beyond what we have generally considered satisfactory. From our expansion into new partnerships with entertainment licensing and CPG companies, to our ability to attract and hire new talent in all departments, to new investments in the latest technologies, we have developed a robust approach for the future!

Flix Candy has an impressive portfolio of licenses. How did Flix Candy venture into candy and novelty licensing? 

Our business began more than 55 years ago, and it wasn’t always centered around candy. In the 80s, when licensing became a driver in the toy business, our founders were primarily focused on toys, backpacks and sticker books. With their toy and licensing expertise, we pivoted it into candy nearly 30 years ago and Flix Candy was born. It was a natural progression into the novelty confectionery space because we are all ultimately still kids at heart! 

POP UPS! continue to impress. What makes them unique and engaging for consumers? 

A lollipop has always been a staple in kids’ candy. But if you’ve ever had a child drop a lollipop, you know why parents love our product. 

The magic of our POP UPS! lollipop is that you can drop it and it closes to store and protect the lollipop. Additionally, due to the protective nature of the product, the confectionery, which is suitable for all ages, can be enjoyed over time. It’s priced at a value to the consumer, and it offers collectability and seasonality. POP UPS! Lollipops are great for gifting. It’s a very adaptable product that allows us to sell it 365 days a year with different sets and promotions. 

How would you characterize the state of the candy category? 

More than ever, the industry is challenging product and flavor innovation. There are so many ways to create textures and flavors, and we are always looking at what comes after that without ever following. We like to lead and stay ahead of trends and discover new ways to allow our consumers to enjoy our creations. 

The buying mentality appears to be focused on innovation. There is a balancing act when innovating: the product shouldn’t require too much complexity to understand, since you only have seconds to capture the consumer’s interest at retail. 

How is Flix Candy preparing for the second half of 2026? What can we expect from the company in the near future? 

At the Sweets & Snacks Expo, our goal was to share our historic identity of I3 with the rest of the industry, while focusing on our exciting brands, such as: Pacifier Pops, Lip Pops, Gummy Bands, Lollipop Rings, Champ Ring and POP UPS! Lollipop. 

After 25 years at I3, I believe our company has tremendous potential ahead. That’s an encouraging thought. We are still in the early stages of where our passion can lead us, and we have the pieces and, most critically, the people to get there. Expect continued innovation coupled with world-class partnerships across the industry.