Angels are private individuals who invest their own funds in start-up companies.
In the past few years, thanks in part to the booming stock market, angels have become more aggressive in hunting down promising ideas. Carlson started his home business in January with a serendipitous idea. A Fisherville, Ky., resident with Cajun roots, he was dismayed by the peppery imitations of Cajun spices that were showing up on everything from chicken to potato chips and began mixing his own blend. When a friend sprinkled some of Carlson's concoction on popcorn, the idea for Kenny's Cajun Corn was born. He is already selling about 300 bags a day around Louisville and in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.