The Happy Waffle: It's not just about delicious treats; it's about celebrating life

In a world often dominated by the hustle of business, Jessica Wells, the visionary behind The Happy Waffle (Forest, Virginia), has crafted something truly unique: a space where the aroma of freshly made waffles mingles with the warmth of community and open dialogue about mental wellness. More than just a food truck or storefront, The Happy Waffle is a testament to Jessica's personal journey, a place where delicious treats serve as a catalyst for connection and a reminder that even in the midst of life's challenges, joy and support can be found in the most unexpected places. I recently interviewed Jessica to learn more about her unique business approach.

Jessica, the Happy Waffle seems to be more than just a business. Can you share how you you created it?

Welcome to The Happy Waffle! I'm Jessica, the heart behind this joy-filled venture. The Happy Waffle was born out of my own mental health journey and finding purpose. Through losing my Dad, I realized life is too short not to create the things you wish existed. So here I am, creating the thing I wish existed. A place that offers delicious food, positive vibes, and smiles. I have always loved to bake and it brings me so much happiness. The belief that we can make a difference is woven into the fabric of The Happy Waffle. Positive sayings on our waffle sticks, displaying encouraging words on our truck, and providing trusted resources on our website are all ways we hope to encourage mental health awareness in our community. The Happy Waffle isn't just about delicious treats; it's a celebration of life, happiness, and the power to brighten someone's day or special event

Can you explain the connection between your waffles and mental health?

My hope is to infuse positivity and mental health awareness into the Happy Waffle through our social media, our positive messages on our sticks, providing a safe place where all feel welcome at our brick and mortar location, as well as taking out our food truck to community events. We have a resource section in our storefront where we have cards from local counseling centers. We also put those cards out on the ledge of our food truck. Starting therapy was such an intimidating decision for me to make. I hope that if someone is struggling and they are on the fence about starting therapy, having those cards so accessible and hearing us talk about the importance of mental health will help them to feel more comfortable making that decision. We believe that making a difference is not just an option but a responsibility, and it's intricately woven into the fabric of everything we do.

How has the community responded to the The Happy Waffle's unique approach to spreading the word about mental health?

We have had such a great response from the community. We are very involved in our local community events. We have wonderful support from our local colleges. Our store front’s grand opening on February 1st brought in so many new customers as well as our faithful customers that have been following our food truck around to festivals, weddings, and corporate events.

What are some of the challenges you faced in getting The Happy Waffle Started, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge has been going from a healthcare background into the food industry. I have learned so much and continue to learn through growing this small business. I have leaned on some great mentors for advice and guidance. I have spent so much time researching.

What is your favorite waffle on the menu?

My favorite waffle is our strawberry cheesecake. It has our signature cheesecake spread, fresh strawberries, dusting of powdered sugar, served with whipped cream. This was the first waffle pop I created and it has been our best seller from the start. It is also the number one waffle flavor for weddings!

What have you learned about yourself through this process of creating The Happy Waffle?

I have learned that I am so much stronger than I thought I was. I decided to turn something tragic into something positive even though I was so scared to make that jump. I always say my Dad is as a part of The Happy Waffle as any of us that keep it running daily. If he could be here now he would be here helping me build something or figure out a solution to a problem. He was a fix-it Dad. Always there to give a helping hand and always there to support

What are some of the misconceptions about mental health that you hope to dispel through The Happy Waffle?

I just hope that by using this platform to support mental health awareness that people will be more comfortable asking for help when they need it. It can be so scary to ask for help but I hope we can make reaching out less scary by making it more accessible.

How do you believe businesses can play a role in promoting mental health awareness?

I believe that we all have a responsibility as a whole to share the importance of mental health. There are so many things in the world right now that we have very control over and that can take a toll on our mental health. I feel like there is a responsibility as business owners and employees to create an environment where we can leave our customers with a smile and that we have control over. We can help make their day a little bit better than when they came in.

What are some things that you do to help destigmatize mental health?

I hope that we can let more people know that the 988 Crisis line is available to all that may be suffering in a mental health crisis and they don't know where to turn. Loneliness is an epidemic and we hope that our brand can offer a space to support community gatherings. We are now offering our storefront as a small party space to offer the community a fun, happy location to bring people together.

What are some of the small things you do on a daily basis to maintain good mental health?

This is still an area of growth for me. As a small business owner, I am consistently taking on too much. I am working on taking time for myself and my family. It is very hard to sustain and grow a small business. I am a mom of two and my boys are very involved in sports so going to their games and spending time with them is always something I like to prioritize for my mental health. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my kids do something fun and that brings them joy.

Do you find the act of preparing and serving food itself as a therapeutic effect for you?

I worked in the Operating Room for 15 years helping people. When I had to make the choice to leave my career I felt lost. It took time in therapy to learn that what I was missing was a feeling of service to others. When I make waffle pops and sweet treats for people and they get excited to try something new and fun it truly makes my heart feel overwhelmed with joy.

What do you hope people will take away from their experience with The Happy Waffle?

I just hope that people leave with a sweet treat and a smile!

Jessica's journey with The Happy Waffle is a testament to the power of turning personal hardship into a beacon of hope and community. More than just a purveyor of delicious treats, she's cultivated a space where joy, connection, and mental wellness intersect. Through her waffles, her words, and her unwavering dedication to service, Jessica is not only brightening days but also fostering the mission of ending the stigma around mental health. The Happy Waffle stands as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have the capacity to create something beautiful, meaningful, and profoundly impactful.