Hello

For more than 20 years, I’ve built my career around helping organizations in healthcare, mental health, and social justice tell their stories and make a difference. But along the way, my own personal ritual was happening quietly in the background: every holiday, every birthday, every moment worth celebrating — I was in the kitchen, stirring fudge, pouring toffee, dipping pretzels, and handing out treats wrapped in my own brand of love and care.

 People would tell me:

• "I never liked fudge until I had yours."

• "Your toffee is the best I’ve ever had."

 

Candy became my love language.

 

Then came job loss, major surgery, and the growing weight of a divided country. Like so many of us, I felt disheartened. When I was selected to participate in the Worcester Regional Food Hub's Launching Diverse Food Entrepreneurs program, I knew it was time to turn passion into purpose.

Candied Optimism was born.

 

This isn’t just a candy company. It’s my personal act of hope — a way to spark connection, bring people together, and give back to causes that matter. Because we need more sweetness in the world, and we need it now.

 

What Makes Candied Optimism Different

• Time-Honored Recipes: Decades of candy-making experience poured into every batch.

• Messages of Hope: Every order includes an uplifting sticker or card with a quote or action step to help spread optimism in the real world.

• Social Impact: 10% of profits go to social justice causes chosen with input from our community.

• Community-Driven: Backers help us choose charities and shape this movement from the ground up.

• Woman-Owned: Supporting economic independence and collaboration with other women- and minority-owned businesses.