Happy Waffle spreads sweetness, mental health awareness

Wells, a former health care professional turned entrepreneur, opened Happy Waffle in October as a pop-up venture at White Barn Vintage in Hurt.

“We don’t have a permanent location but this is just a vehicle for me to just share mental health awareness, share positivity and be a good part of this community,” she said.

Five years ago when her father suddenly died, she began to reassess her career path and wanted to find a way to combine her passion for baking with a purpose-driven life.

“He was my morning support system. He was the one that took my older kid to school,” she said. “The operating room starts so early in the morning and it’s very difficult to get the kids to school so he filled in the gap for that rotation, and so when he passed away very suddenly, it really kind of uprooted our routine and our lives.”

After serving in the health care field for 15 years at Lynchburg General Hospital, she decided it was time for a change.

She had always done some baking on the side and if there was a birthday cake that needed baking, she was the one to do it.

“And so I just thought, ‘How can I marry the passion I have for baking with finding purpose in life?’” she said. “I really was struggling to find where I fit in and where I could add to the community and my family. And that’s just kind of how the Happy Waffle was born.”

Why waffles? There are so many bakeries in Lynchburg, Wells said, so she looked to create something unique and rare.

“I was just thinking what could be different and mobile?”

Wells focuses not only on the menu but a commitment to mental health awareness.

Each waffle is placed on a stick that has positive sayings, and the truck also advertises for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline and also says “You Belong Here.”

“So we’re just hoping that, if anything, when we’re driving around to an event that people will see the truck and see the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and think how awesome is it that we get to live in a place where you see how beautiful the mountains are, and maybe it’ll just bring a smile to their face and some of the positive things on there,” Wells said.

Mike Mullins, owner of Sorella Farms in Evington, said Wells brought the Happy Waffle out to the venue for a wedding in December.

“They were just so friendly,” he said. “What set her apart is the personality that comes with the truck. It was her and her husband and they were real cordial and they asked me what we needed, what it took to make the bride happy. It was more than a business. It was an experience.”

The menu at Happy Waffle is diverse, featuring both sweet and savory options. From the classic Maple Bacon waffle to the Tutti Fruitty waffle, which has white chocolate, fruity pebbles and raspberry drizzle, each creation is crafted with care and attention to detail, Wells said.

“We want our waffles to be visually appealing and full of flavor,” she said. “But more importantly, we want them to bring a smile to our customers’ faces.”

Beyond serving up tasty treats, Happy Waffle is dedicated to giving back to the community. Wells has partnered with local nonprofits and organizations to host fundraising events and donate a portion of the proceeds to worthy causes.

“We’re all about making a positive impact,” she said. “Whether it’s raising awareness about mental health or supporting local charities, we’re committed to giving back.”

Happy Waffle’s next pop-up event will be on Feb. 24 at Ashwood Manor behind Sheetz in Forest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Selling waffles is awesome and they’re delicious and they’re so good, but they’re really just a vehicle to spread mental health awareness and positivity,” she said.