Dan, Nat, and Phil Calhoun grew up in Poza Rica, Mexico where their parents served as missionaries. There in Mexico, the three brothers learned to speak Spanish fluently and developed an appreciation for the people and culture. By the early 1980s, all three brothers had returned to the United States to further their education. During their time in college, they teamed up and started a landscaping business called Grass Busters.
While working in the landscaping business alongside many workers from Mexico and other Latin American countries, the brothers recognized a need for authentic products. After researching the tortilla-making process in Guadalajara, Mexico, and importing the necessary equipment to Winston Salem, the idea to manufacture and distribute tortillas came to life.
From the landscaping business, the brothers learned to find out what your customer wants and give it to them in a way you would want it done for yourselves. The business has continued to grow based on this principal. In 2000, the company met the needs of its customers by supplying additional grocery items. Today, with a broad portfolio of products and a footprint of ten States throughout the East Coast, Purple Crow has become one of the country’s largest suppliers of Hispanic products.
