Why I Started My Business

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep pull to create something of my own — something rooted in purpose and possibility.

At first, I imagined a cozy coffeehouse in an old building with creaky wooden floors, where the scent of espresso mingled with poetry readings and creative conversations. But when I realized that running a brick-and-mortar shop meant being tied down, I knew I wanted more freedom, not less. That dream evolved.

After completing the Clemson Food2Market course, I started my wholesale food business from home. I’ve been building it from the ground up ever since. Growing up on a farm gave me a love for the outdoors, and I craved a business that would allow me to move between the garden and the kitchen. So I began growing edible flowers in my backyard and infusing them into my pastry work. This small idea quickly blossomed into something much bigger.

But this isn’t just about flowers or food — it’s about filling a gap I see in our communities.

I’m the eighth of ten children raised on a farm in Kentucky. When we were young, my older brother Paul was hit by a car and sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He was in a coma for six weeks. When he returned home, he had to relearn how to walk, eat, and speak. He also experienced physical impairment on the left side of his body.

Thanks to years of determination and the support of our family, Paul earned his GED and worked for the family construction business. He was one of the lucky ones—he had a network that embraced him and created a meaningful role where he could thrive.

But that’s not the case for most.

Across the country, young adults with disabilities often fall off a cliff after high school. The routines, community connections, and support systems they once had disappear. Without purposeful programs or job opportunities, many face isolation and regression. It's a quiet crisis happening in plain sight.

My business is one small way I’m working to change that.

I believe in creating opportunities for people like Paul — roles that are meaningful, inclusive, and adapted to individual strengths. I want to raise awareness around this issue and encourage other businesses to think differently, too. Stay tuned for ways this will take shape through The Southern Zen gathering space and Baker & Blossoms’ botanical infused sugars and salts in the new year.

I know I can’t do it alone, but if my journey can inspire someone else to take action, that’s a win.

Thanks for being here.

Peace out, friends.
—Ann