The Birthday Party That Led to a Business

How a single birthday party full of tears led to a business with a mission of promoting inclusivity.

It was a good friend's 2nd birthday and the first party we attended with strict dietary limitations for my son. Gabe wasn't particularly interested in the cake at his own birthday party only a few months earlier so I had armed myself with his favorite safe cookies instead.

Big mistake.

When the cake was cut and placed in front of the kids it was suddenly all my son wanted. As I tried offering him cookies to redirect his attention, parents gave me awkward stares. Why wasn't I letting my son enjoy cake? I smiled and quickly explained he couldn't have dairy or gluten.

I had never been so happy in my life to see dessert time end and the plates of half eaten cake removed from the table. The party was soon over and I put my son in the car making it home with him asleep in the back. I sat in the driveway and let the emotions flood out of me. It was only a few months after my son's Autism diagnosis and I was already grappling with the reality that we had challenges ahead of us. I was determined to give my son every opportunity to enjoy every day life despite rigorous in home therapies and appointments.

Watching your child want to participate in something and not be able to is heartbreaking, especially when he doesn't understand. I felt like a complete failure for not being better prepared and I knew I would never make that mistake again.

Over the next year I ordered cupcakes from specialty bakeries and stocked my freezer full of dozens of homemade cupcakes. Neither option was very appealing or efficient so I set out looking for a better solution determined to create some normalcy for my son at birthday parties. Not finding the product I was in search of I shared my dilemma and proposed solution with my amazing Mom friend, Tiffany, and soon a business was born.

We launched a year later with two products free from the top 8 allergens designed to help build inclusivity around food allergies and ensuring that no child ever feel left out of celebrations like birthday parties, holidays and family gatherings. The first product is a "single serve" cupcake kit designed to be safe, efficient and minimize waste. It makes two cupcakes and includes cake mix, frosting mix, baking cups, a frosting bag, a carry bag and tray, and an allergen ID sticker. The kit is designed for those who must bring an allergy safe treat with them to places where they cannot eat the food that is being served.

The second product is designed for both families that have food allergies and those that don't. It is estimated that 1 in every 13 children now has a food allergy so even if that statistic does not affect your family directly, you likely know someone it does. Our Top 8 Allergen Free Cupcake Party Kit was designed for everyone in mind. Perfect for classroom celebrations and birthday parties, the party kit includes cake and frosting mix, 20 petite baking cups, 20 wood spoons, a frosting bag, baker's box for transporting and an allergen ID sticker. The party kit is especially helpful for families who are not familiar with baking for those with food allergies and gives them a safe and delicious solution so that no child is left out of the fun.

Looking back at that party now 2 years ago it is hard to imagine where we would be today. The helplessness I felt at that birthday party has turned into hope and a mission for not only my son but for millions of children living similar situations every day.

Sometimes wishes don't turn out the way you intended, but that doesn't mean they don't come true. Our journey hasn't gone the way I expected, yet in some ways it has turned out even better. Creating a product to help my son led to the creation of a business to help many others too. Wishing our challenges away didn't happen, but finding the strength to create something positive from them did.

If you are starting a business or are interested in our experiences I hope you will follow along and enjoy many guest appearances from my amazing business partner, Tiffany. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!