Zack

I never thought I’d be here running a caramel company. For a long time, my life was defined by addiction, incarceration, and the damage I caused. But by the grace of God, I got another chance.

The truth is my candy journey didn’t start in a kitchen. It started behind prison walls, where chains are real, and hope is hard to hold onto. I learned to make “taffy” using instant coffee creamer and Kool-Aid packets. What began as a hustle turned into a craft, known across the compound for its quality and value.

While Jesus started transforming me in prison, the journey didn’t stop there. After I got out, I connected with Celebrate Recovery and a wild, grace-filled outreach group called Misfits for Jesus. That’s where I found healing, a growing faith, and a heart for people who, like me, needed a new beginning.

Seven years later, Unchained Confections was born, a sweet testimony that no one is too far gone, and that second chances are not only possible, but worth celebrating.

Today, we hand-cut and hand-wrap thousands of caramels each month, and every piece is a piece of that story. We sell at farmers markets, events, local shops, and online, where we recently launched a monthly subscription program.

But this isn’t just a candy company. It’s a mission. Our goal is to grow so we can provide meaningful work, purpose, and community for people in recovery or coming home from incarceration. We support the Community Warehouse, lead a Celebrate Recovery, and aim to build jobs and dignity. One wrapped piece at a time.

This loan will help us purchase equipment to improve our processes and fund marketing to grow our impact. You’re not just helping scale a small business. You’re helping build a support community.