Episode 341-From Classroom To Kitchen: How A Las Vegas Confectionery Trains Neurodivergent Young Adults For Real Jobs

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A box of chocolate peanut butter balls shouldn’t change a life—but in our Las Vegas kitchen, it often does. We sit down with Sugar and Spice founder Sherry Long, a former teacher who transformed a classroom skill set into a bustling confectionery that doubles as a paid training ground for neurodivergent and at‑risk young adults. What started as an accidental side hustle became a clear pathway to confidence, wages, and work‑ready skills.

Sherry walks us through the full system: 10‑week paid placements, job coaches in the kitchen, and close partnerships with Empower Us and VocEd to match young people to roles that fit their strengths. We talk real operations—food safety, labeling, invoicing, box folding, retail fulfillment—and the multi‑modal training that makes it all click: visual aids over the sink, verbal cues like fold in, fold out, and hands‑on practice until muscle memory takes over. The stories land where it matters most: a trainee crying happy tears at a first paycheck, a quiet teen leading a production line by week three, and families discovering that transportation coaching and consistent routines can turn anxiety into agency.

We also make a case to local businesses: stop saying “no one wants to work.” There’s a talented, motivated workforce ready to contribute if you offer clear tasks, patient coaching, and inclusive hiring. Whether your setting is back‑of‑house production or a public‑facing role, job carving and steady mentorship can unlock reliability, retention, and pride. Parents will leave with practical ideas to build independence at home—small chores, visual lists, and the space to try, fail, and try again.

Craving something sweet with substance? Grab the Valentine promo and taste what this team creates while supporting a model that deserves to spread. Subscribe, share this episode with a business owner or parent who needs to hear it, and leave a review to help more people find these stories and solutions.

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