Jennifer is a single mom raising four kids ranging from preschool to high school. Her days are a whirlwind of school pickups, afterschool activities, cooking, and managing her household.
When she first joined ETC, she was looking for a steady job that would support her family of five. She was paired with an ETC Mobility Mentor at Girls Inc., who helped her find a job that offered Jennifer the stability she was seeking. But after some reflection and conversations with her mentor, she realized she wanted something more than a job. She wanted to create something she could call her own, and one day, her children could call theirs. Despite the fear of doing something outside her comfort zone, she decided to start her own business, which would offer her the freedom and flexibility to set her schedule and spend time with her young family.
“COVID changed so much for me,” Jennifer explained. “We started staying at home, and I got to see all the valuable time I was missing out on when I worked 9-5. I was able to help my kids with their homework and make nutritious meals. I realized I needed to start my own business to keep the flexibility and stay connected with my kids.”
When Jennifer met with her mentor, they began to map out a business plan with manageable steps and attainable goals. She enrolled in a business class through the Knoxville Entrepreneurship Center, and a close friend offered her a loan to get her new business off the ground.
While this was a huge first step forward, it also came with a stumbling block as Jennifer hit her first tipping point on the Benefits Cliff—the point where increases in income or assets remove someone’s ability to receive government resources. The loan in her bank account, allowing her to start her business, made Jennifer ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Jennifer shared the challenge of working to build something for her family. “As you get better jobs you start to lose those benefits that you depended on and that you actually need. You’re fearful of failing, but you’re also fearful of being successful.”
This is a common barrier many families face. ETC was developed with the goal of helping families overcome these hurdles to reach financial self-sufficiency. The program supported Jennifer with transitional benefits while she figured out how to bridge the gap. In the meantime, she did whatever it took—substitute teaching, DoorDashing, and visiting food pantries—to make sure she could provide for her family.
Jennifer was undeterred and pushed past every obstacle to start up her business, SnoTopia, a shaved ice and hot dog food truck. She obtained her necessary business licenses and purchased a standard cargo trailer, which she transformed into a food truck, installing a window, adding sinks, laying flooring, and adding commercial kitchen-grade tables. And she learned how to drive (and more importantly -park) with her SnoTopia trailer hitched to her vehicle. After passing her health inspection, Jennifer booked her first event, a back to school night for families at Wesley House Community Center, where she served over 400 shaved ices.
“My food truck is a product of love. It has really taken a village,” Jennifer shared her gratitude. “Every single step so many people have been willing to help me. I would not have been able to do it without the motivation, goal setting, and planning ETC offered.”
Jennifer has already made the leap from surviving to building a future. She shared the impact of being able set a goal and achieve them, “History repeats itself, but not this time. I am bringing generational wealth into my family. I want something to leave my kids. I want them to see that there’s more, to experience the world. You want more when you know there’s more.”
For Jennifer, the resources and support from ETC has been a gamechanger. Not only has it given her tools, but it has shown her what’s possible when you have a support system that believes in you.
“I thank ETC. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my mentor. She has been such a big motivational piece in all of this. Just to have somebody to talk to. She encouraged me to come up with my own solutions.”
Jennifer’s story is a reminder that with the right support, parents don’t just survive—they create. They lead. They build. And they leave a legacy.
Donate today to support Economic Mobility for hardworking families like Jennifer.
