Founded in 2017 on North Carolina’s Topsail Island, Topsail Steamer has simplified the messy process of seafood boils. The company, started by former biotech sales professional Danielle Mahon, offers prepared seafood buckets that customers can easily steam and serve at home.
Mahon’s path to entrepreneurship began during her career in biotech sales in Raleigh, North Carolina. After developing a deep connection to Topsail Island, she recognized an opportunity to simplify the seafood feast experience. The inspiration struck during a 2016 trip to the Outer Banks, where she encountered a restaurant offering take-home seafood pots. This concept sparked her business idea, though she modified it significantly for her venture.
In March 2017, with a $75,000 family loan, Mahon opened the first Topsail Steamer location in Surf City. The business model focused on single-use steam pots filled with fresh seafood, vegetables, and homemade seasonings.
Topsail Steamer’s signature products, known as Bay Buckets, include popular combinations like “The Full Steamer,” featuring snow crab, peel-and-eat shrimp, littleneck clams, and andouille sausage. Each bucket comes complete with vegetables, seasonings, and accompaniments like cocktail sauce and butter.
The company’s approach emphasizes convenience – customers simply add liquid to the pot and steam for 40 minutes. The included paper tablecloth serves double duty for serving and easy cleanup.
The business expanded to Wrightsville Beach in 2018, but faced challenges when Hurricane Florence impacted the region. This setback led Mahon to seek assistance from Thread Capital, a Community Development Financial Institution, to enhance business resilience. The company then developed shipping capabilities, sending its first seafood bucket in April 2019.
A significant turning point came in March 2020 when Topsail Steamer joined Goldbelly’s online marketplace just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Weekly shipping orders increased from 25 to 400 buckets, driving revenue growth from $350,000 in 2017 to $3.2 million in 2020.
Today, Topsail Steamer operates ten locations across North Carolina, New Jersey, Alabama, Delaware, and Florida. The company maintains a family-oriented business structure, with Mahon’s brother-in-law serving as director of store operations and her children working in marketing and business development roles.
The company employs over 100 people and ships to all 50 states through Goldbelly. Mahon plans to expand by opening two to four new stores annually, focusing on carefully selected markets while maintaining family and employee operation rather than franchising.
Topsail Steamer’s growth has been supported by partnerships with financial institutions including Thread Capital and Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF). These relationships have enabled key developments such as purchasing property and expanding refrigeration capacity.
The company continues to focus on quality, sourcing local seafood when possible, and maintaining high standards while growing. Under Mahon’s leadership, Topsail Steamer emphasizes internal professional development and promoting leadership from within its stores.
