Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Jaeger.
Hi Alex, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We started Big Al’s Best around 1994 when Alex was about to turn 22 and was “aging out” of the Special Education system. After 18 years in school and being accustomed to the predictable routines of 25-30 hours a week with something meaningful to do, we knew we needed to find some good ways for him to fill up his time. We supported him in many volunteer jobs and other activities around the community and we’re looking to find ways for him to use some of his other talents and interests. I had an easy (and delicious) recipe for toffee and we started selling to a few friends one Christmas and got an enthusiastic response. The following year we got a Cottage Food license from the county and decided to make a little business of it. We make tons of toffee during the winter holiday season and now we even have a few local shops who sell Big Al’s toffee year round. Since we moved to the San Diego area, we have had to do a bit of a restart, but we are excited for this new beginning in our new home.
In continuing to try to take advantage of his special talents and interests, we focused on his beautiful handwriting. From the time he was about 7-8 years old, he was writing in “fonts”. He would write long, random lists of things that interested him in his precise, unique printing. As he moved into adulthood, we tried to put that talent to good use and have created greeting cards and artwork that features inspirational quotes written by hand. We sell his cards and art in a wide range of small shops from San Francisco to San Diego and online on his website www.big-als-best.com.
We named this business Big Al’s Best because we know that he gives his BEST in whatever he does. As he learns and grows and has more opportunities and connections in our community, we know his best will continue to shine through.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For Alex, as a young man with autism, life has its share of challenges. We do our best to address and honor those challenges as we work to grow this business and expand our connection to our community in Poway. A move to a new town in the middle of a pandemic was challenging, but we’ve been able to create a routine that gives him the structure that he needs to manage his life and his needs. Moving from the Bay Area where we lived for over 30 years presented challenges in getting connected up with resources and people in the local special needs and autism community as well. We have connected with some people and groups through social media and we’re now beginning to meet people in person, which is a great relief and source of hope.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We work hard to create opportunities and products that can allow Alex’s talents to shine through. He is motivated to get things done and does a careful job with whatever tasks we give him. We have taken his talents for calligraphy and incorporated them into greeting cards and collages and ornaments and custom works. We are constantly on the lookout for inspirational quotes that we can include in his work. From Mr. Rogers and Dr. Seuss to Plato and Socrates, the quotes inspire us and we hope to inspire the people who buy them.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The focus of ALL of the work we do, both for and with Alex, is the goal that he will be welcomed, valued, and included in our community. Everything we do moves us in that direction. We are so grateful for the support we have so far and look forward to growing and thriving in Poway and the San Diego area.
Pricing:
- $5- $30
Contact Info:
- Email: bigalsbest@gmail.com
- Website: www.big-als-best.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigalsbest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigalsbesttoffee/
