John Morin didn't set out to reinvent ramen. But when his co-founder Nick spotted a gap in the market, high demand for a better, high-protein noodle with no clear winner, the opportunity was too obvious to ignore. The two got to work, and Power Noods was born.

From day one, the brand had personality. The name was chosen immediately, and it stuck. Playful, confident, and just memorable enough to make you look twice. John's heritage shaped the product itself, guiding taste testing and supplier selection toward a partner who could deliver on quality without compromise. It's the kind of attention to detail that Kelley tends to produce in its people.
Professor John Talbott was an early believer, someone who saw John's potential long before Power Noods existed, investing in his earlier ventures while he was still walking the halls on East Third. That kind of mentorship doesn't end at graduation, and Talbott's confidence in John as a founder helped lay the groundwork for what the brand has become. It's a reminder that some of the most valuable things Kelley offers never show up on a syllabus.

Growth came fast, maybe faster than expected. TikTok creators organically picked up the product without any outreach, driving millions of views and a wave of demand that pushed inventory to the limit. When the shelves ran dry, it wasn't a setback. It was proof of concept. John moved quickly to secure the capital needed to scale back up and keep the momentum going.
The competition noticed too. Knockoffs emerged. A former sample supplier launched a rival brand. Cup Noodles entered the space. None of it has slowed Power Noods down. The brand sits at 4.2 to 4.3 stars while most competitors hover in the 3s, a gap built on real R&D and a product that genuinely delivers. You can try it yourself on Amazon.

The vision goes well beyond ramen. John talks about Power Noods the way you'd talk about Red Bull, a brand that means something before you even know what's in the cup. Stadium sponsorships, action sports partnerships, and a long-term expansion into a full Power Foods platform are all part of the plan. New flavors and a gluten-free version are already in development.
This year, John brings Power Noods to IU Ventures' Founders & Funders, returning to Bloomington with real traction and a brand story worth paying attention to. At Kelley Outfitters, this is exactly the kind of story we exist to tell. The best Kelley journeys aren't behind us. They're still being built.