[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 73 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING POPPY AND POUT

 Mr. RISCH. Madam President, Idaho small businesses have shown 
immense resilience in the face of labor shortages, supply chain 
disruptions, and rising costs. These small businesses deserve to be 
celebrated for their great work in preserving the values unique to our 
communities. I am proud to relaunch Support Local Gems, a statewide 
initiative, on May 6, to encourage Idahoans to support the small 
businesses that make the Gem State special. As a member and former 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to honor Poppy and Pout located in Idaho 
Falls as one of Idaho's Small Businesses of the Month for May 2022.
  In 2014, Derek Cooper founded Poppy and Pout and began to sell his 
unique, untinted lip balm out of his kitchen while studying at Brigham 
Young University-Idaho. Aware of the growing environmentally conscious 
market, Derek created a 100-percent recyclable cardboard tube and 
packaging for his product. Since then, Poppy and Pout's business has 
taken off and garnered national recognition, including Oprah Winfrey 
adding the company to her most recent ``Favorite Things List.''
  To keep up with their growing local and national following, Derek 
opened a brick-and-mortar store and production facility in downtown 
Idaho Falls in July 2021. The boutique features a variety of his 
signature, hand-made lip balm, as well as clothing, gifts, and other 
beauty products. Today, Poppy and Pout's 40 employees supply their all-
natural lip balm to boutiques, salons, and stores worldwide, giving 
everyone a little taste of Idaho.
  Congratulations to Derek Cooper and all of the employees at Poppy and 
Pout for being selected as an Idaho Small Business of the Month for May 
2022. You are an outstanding example of what it means to be one of 
Idaho's Local Gems. You make our great State proud, and I look forward 
to your continued growth and success.

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