For Chef C.E. “Clayton” Cottman, the journey from Washington, D.C. to Fargo wasn’t a straight line. He originally came north to work the oil fields, but the jobs had dried up. Instead of heading home, he stayed, took a job with Sysco and returned to the arts – performing and culinary – that had always fed his soul. A Midwestern Super Bowl party introduced him to a powdered-sugar coated snack locals called “puppy chow,” and he was hooked. Clayton’s creative mind saw the simple treat as a blank canvas for something more. He began experimenting with gourmet chocolates and artisanal flavors, reimagining the humble snack for a new generation.

The idea for Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks took root in 2018 and spent two years in development. Clayton launched the company in Fall 2020 with a single goal: to create chocolate snacks that felt both indulgent and familiar. He started small, making every batch by hand in Fargo, ND. Today, his snacks are sold in major grocery stores and specialty shops across the Midwest and beyond. Clayton credits local mentors and programs like Emerging Prairie’s StartupBREW and the Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC for helping him secure initial funding and begin to scale his dream. The company now partners with regional retailers and distributors, aiming to be on shelves in every convenience and grocery store within a 500-mile radius.

For us, food is about connection. We love using creativity to serve the community, and we pour our hearts and hustle into every bag of chow. Named after a war hero and inspired by a family dessert, Uncle Charlie’s represents resilience, imagination, and the promise that dreams can become reality with hard work. As the first minority-owned snack company in North Dakota, aiming to surpass $1 million in revenue, we hope our story encourages others to chase their own ambitions.