Local business drawing in customers with healthier options

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A Michiana business owner making it her mission to help the community and spread some pandemic positivity.

Jacqueline DuBois who is the owner of Happy Healthies says when the pandemic started, she was scared for what was to come.

She reduced her hours, closed her doors on the weekends and shifted to curb side orders only temporarily.

But, the drive for a healthier option drove people right in.

One thing she missed was the social interactions.

She says the formula to a successful business is that person to person relationship and she believes in changing lives every time someone comes in.

She gives many thanks to the ‘Michiana Small Businesses’ Facebook group page for bringing awareness to local businesses that are now being discovered with people walking into the shop amazed by discovering a hidden gem.

“Fortunately for us, we saw our business grow, I think the awareness for health grew as well. And, a lot of people didn’t know we were back here. So, they came here for a healthy option for breakfast, healthy option for lunch, they loved the atmosphere that we were able to provide for them,” DuBois said.

Dubois is also always finding a way to give back to the community and support businesses like herself.

Inside her business, she has a wall signature piece of business cards where anyone can come to drop off their business card or flyer.

She also used to dedicate her time to the local non-profit organization to Transformation Ministries by fundraising, supplying healthy meals, hosting fitness events and helping as much as she could.

Transformation Ministries has a variety of programs that helps with the disadvantage youth by offering life skills, meals, and more.

But, ever since the pandemic hit, she now helps with accepting local donations at her shop to help fundraise money for them.

“But, now that we’re unable to do that. What we can do instead of donating time to them is raise money for them because every dollar counts so it takes about $15,000 to sponsor one child for the year so as much money as we can raise all the time and raise awareness for them it benefits them totally,” DuBois said.