Food-truck pretzel business would
provide jobs, social skills to those with autism
MURFREESBORO — MTSU
junior Theresa Daniels continues to put her unique “twist” on her business idea
to raise awareness about and address the challenges and opportunities for those
with Asperger’s syndrome.
The
Nashville, Tennessee, entrepreneur, who was diagnosed with the form of autism
as a child, recently took the top prize in the social enterprise category of
the Launch Tennessee University Venture Challenge. She now has $12,500 to
invest into her startup idea, Theresa’s Twists—Pretzels with a Purpose, where
she will put into practice the skills she’s learned through the Jones College
of Business.
Daniels
won the LaunchTN cash after pitching her business plan to representatives from
the public-private partnership, which focuses on supporting local entrepreneurs
through mentoring, networking and capital. The organization’s inaugural
university venture challenge brought student entrepreneurs from across the
state into the mix.
Daniels’
vision for Theresa’s Twists initially involves the launch of a food-truck
business that “sells delicious gourmet soft pretzels and a line of candied
pretzels.” The three- to five-year goal is to also sell pretzels at a
brick-and-mortar operation and then eventually connect with educational
institutions, organizations, businesses and individuals to develop a model to
empower young adults like her who have Asperger’s.
A
primary goal is to give job opportunities to young adults struggling with
Asperger’s, which affects the ability to socialize and communicate. Employment
at Theresa’s Twists will help them with job training, family support and social
skills for future employment.
Daniels
hopes to build on her momentum by launching a Theresa’s Twists’ online Kickstarter
campaign Thursday, June 23, with a goal to raise $20,000.
“We have
been planning and preparing for five years and building investments so we can
start our food truck business,” said Daniels, spokesperson for the business.
“We feel it is important to be debt-free in order to sustain the business so we
can eventually help more and more people like me. I want to give them hope!”
Theresa’s
Twists arose from Daniels’ own “deep, dark, and sometimes overwhelming
challenge of Asperger’s syndrome.” Her parents were told when she was a small
child that Daniels would likely never speak or have a normal life. She’s made
great strides since.
“But I
have become what my parents call a hurdle jumper. I look at obstacles as
stepping stones not stumbling blocks,” she said.
While
attending the University of Cincinnati several years ago, Daniels experienced a
time of severe depression. But one day while she was eating a soft pretzel, the
idea for “Theresa’s Twists—Pretzels With a Purpose” came to her and was
embraced by her parents, Jody and John Daniels.
Daniels
was encouraged to enter LaunchTN by Bill McDowell, chair holder of the Wright
Travel Chair in Entrepreneurship at MTSU, who was familiar with Daniels’
startup idea after she won the Community Choice Award and third place overall
in last year’s Business Plan Competition by the Jones College of Business.
Daniels is an integrated studies major with an emphasis in business.
“Dr.
McDowell has been a blessing toward Theresa and our family. He strongly
encouraged her to apply,” said Jody Daniels, Theresa’s mother. The LaunchTN
funds will help the family purchase and equip the food truck while they
continue pursuing funds from grants and sources such as Kickstarter.
“Theresa has a great idea
with Theresa's Twists, and over time has been able to craft her idea into a
very realistic opportunity,” McDowell said.
“I felt that she would
have an excellent chance with the LaunchTN competition because her story, her
enthusiasm and her dedication to this idea and cause are so apparent. I am
excited about the next chapter of her business start-up journey!”
The
Danielses also praised Lance Alexis, director of the Disability and Access
Center at MTSU, and Kevin States, associate director of the center who was
assigned to work directly with Theresa to support her academic efforts while on
campus.
“I’ve
been more supported at MTSU than at any other university I’ve attended,” said
Theresa, who has previously attended Clark State Community College, Wright
State University and the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, and Volunteer State
Community College in Gallatin, Tennessee.
The
ultimate dream is to also establish Life Point University, a program to
educate, equip and empower, and experience life skills in a comfortable setting
for young adults struggling with Asperger’s. Each week, students’ schedules
would include one-on-one and group tutoring, supervised study as well as
coaching in planning, organizing, managing time, strategizing and executing.
Jody
Daniels said the family finds excitement in their effort “to just help the
world have a better understanding of people who have Asperger’s syndrome and
(know) that people with autism are great people and certainly employable
people, they just have to be given a chance and some training.”
Learn
more at www.theresastwists.com or contact company
president John Daniels at 615-873-0507. You can follow them on Facebook at
TheresasTwists.
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