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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJessica discovered that therapy was truly life-changing. Her therapist encouraged her to find something she loved to do that could be the spark to get herself back on track. She admitted she\u2019s always loved to bake. Her therapist suggested that she take that creative heart in the kitchen and consider what she could do to help bring back her joy. The suggestion led Jessica to a simple and tasty thought: waffle pops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waffle pops are popsicle-shaped waffles with a traditional buttermilk base that Jessica created. Waffle pops feature either sweet or savory options that are baked on the outside or infused inside the pops. She also bakes savory waffle sandwiches such as hot Italian, hot ham and cheese, and a happy Cristo. The items are shaped like a pressed panini sandwich but feature the small squares of a waffle. Jessia\u2019s most popular treats are her strawberry cheesecake waffle pop and her pizza waffle, both customer favorites. The Happy Waffle features 25 flavors, with the list growing each month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2023 was a year full of designing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jessica explained, \u201cI wanted people to have an experience when they come up to the truck and not just have a logo slapped on the truck. It was important to craft that experience for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In January, Jessica purchased a food truck and put the waffle pops on display. But the waffle pops were only part of her business model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe believe in more than just tasty treats. We believe in spreading positivity and mental health awareness.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Happy Waffle\u2019s motto is, \u201cServing up smiles, one waffle at a time!\u201d The encouraging words found on every waffle pop stick are more than just phrases, reflecting Jessica\u2019s commitment to helping others find their way back to joy. In October, The Happy Waffle food truck joined the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as a vendor for one of its \u201cOut of the Darkness\u201d walks in Lynchburg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s tough out there, and you always think you\u2019re the only one going through it,\u201d Jessica explained, \u201cYou don\u2019t realize how many others are going through similar things. You\u2019re not alone in this.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jessica recently leased a storefront at 17980 Forest Road, which her family will be renovating over the next few months, with a planned January opening. She plans to expand the mental health resources she provides by dedicating a corner of the new shop where customers can find business cards and pamphlets that refer to local counseling centers and mental health services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jessica\u2019s story is a powerful reminder that in our greatest struggles, we can find the strength to help others, one small act of kindness at a time. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" YOU BELONG here. You are enough. Those words are not just positive, encouraging phrases. They are a small part of one Lynchburg resident\u2019s mission to raise awareness of and point people to resources about mental health.\u00a0 Jessica Wells and her husband, Alex, met in the operating room of a local hospital where she worked as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":22599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lynchburg-va\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/11\/3-2-1024x683.png\")
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