Meet Alexis Brown of Sweet Life By Lex

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Brown.

Alexis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, I went to college and received my Bachelors in Dental Hygiene and was a practicing dental hygienist for ten years up until I gave birth to my twin boys in November of 2009.

My husband and I had relocated to AZ in July of 2009 where he started his medical practice. After I had the boys, I helped in his practice for about three years to help him get started early on. During this time, I realized very quickly that our boys were going to need quite a bit of early intervention for what we were being told were developmental delays and it was shortly thereafter that I chose to facilitate everything they needed full time and my time in his practice came to an end.

With many therapies in place and numerous evaluations and assessments before age two… the boys received an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis at age four. I immediately began my research to find them the best ABA therapy, which is what was recommended for them in addition to their current therapies. We had two teams of full-time ABA therapists for them from Gentry Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Joe Gentry’s practice. This form of therapy was every day, in the classroom and in the home as well.

Long story short… they are currently about to finish the 2nd grade and currently have no therapies or aides in the classroom because of their early intervention!! We couldn’t be more grateful. I am also now going into my 3rd year of serving on the Gentry Foundation for Autism board and continue to spread awareness and raise money for the cause.

I knew about a year ago that I had always wanted to start my own business and channel a way to pursue my creative passion while  incorporating my clear purpose of giving back with it. This is when Sweet Life by Lex and Pretzels with Purpose came to be. I had always enjoyed creating beautiful desserts and knew when I was able to, Pretzels with Purpose would be able to give back to The Gentry Foundation for Autism as well as other charities for Autism awareness.

It is currently April, which is Autism awareness month and I created a promotion to provide at least one child the funds necessary ($800) to receive testing for an autism diagnosis who’s family could not otherwise afford this testing. It is with the diagnosis that families may provide the early intervention they need… and how they may thrive and succeed in life. The Gentry Foundation for Autism is currently the only foundation in AZ that provides these scholarships for diagnosis for children and is the first and most important step in providing early intervention.

Early intervention is what helped my boys so I have made it my mission and my WHY to always continue to pay it forward. I was able to write my first $800 check to The Gentry Foundation for Autism and made my goal in one day. This number will only continue to grow from here. I would consider this to be the first chapter of my story… and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
With a health/medical background, I was hesitant and not too familiar with starting a business of my own let alone something completely different than what I had been doing before. Also, my husband and I live very healthy and active lifestyles, and I wasn’t sure from a personal/ethical standpoint if me creating desserts would be received well by others… and I realized I had to follow my instincts and after many talks with my husband and his unconditional support… I decided to go for it.

I had also not been as vocal about my boys diagnosis in the past and realized that it was time for me share my story and I can honestly say that it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. The support I’ve received, the people I’ve been able to help and educate and others I’ve inspired to pursue their passions made me realize that my story is one that needed to be heard.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sweet Life By Lex story. Tell us more about the business.
I create no-bake desserts that are all chocolate based. My specialties are caramel wrapped and chocolate dipped pretzels (made with locally made caramel), chocolate dipped Oreos, chocolate dipped Rice Krispie treats, and no-bake Cake pops.

I pride myself on making every piece that is ordered customized, delicious and beautiful… there is always glitter involved!  Every piece is always boxed beautifully and individually wrapped which makes them perfect for any and all occasions.

I am most proud of the fact that I went for it! I had this idea, a vision, and I created something from nothing. Best part is, people are loving it! It’s an amazing feeling… especially because of my purpose behind it! As long as I am able to spread awareness, educate people, and give back….I know that my purpose to satisfy my customers sweet tooth as well as make one child at a time with Autism’s life a little sweeter, I’ll have no regrets!

I feel very fortunate that I am able to pursue my creative passion that is driven with purpose!!

I also did not do this alone. I’ve had an enormous support by my wonderful husband and a strong group of Powerhouse women here in Arizona….there is strength in numbers and together we can create, build each other up, and RISE! So thank you to all of you, you know who you are☺

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
I was VERY excited and had so many ideas I wanted to put into action right away and realized very quickly I wasn’t ready yet… so I had to slow down to prepare myself correctly and am still learning every day, but I believe we should never stop learning and growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sweetlifebylex.com
• Phone: 4803632933
• Email: sweetlifebylex@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sweetlifebylex

Image Credit:
Images by Blaire Catherine, Kirk Morales, @tommymacstoryteller

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