INDIANAPOLIS – A mother and son created a food company that employs people on the autistic spectrum.
No Label at the Table was born when Jacob Henley, one half of the mother-son duo, expressed interest in becoming a chef. His mother, Shelly Henley, decided to start a business that would employ Henley and others like him with autism.
The company sells gluten and dairy free sweets while giving those on the spectrum a fair chance at employment. Shelly said without the business, her son wouldn’t have many opportunities.
"There would be no future. These guys would be sitting at home collecting disability,” said Shelly. “Playing video games, playing on their phones, watching TV. The idea of my son being a chef at another restaurant - he wouldn't be verbal enough to make it through an interview and if they did take a chance on him, he would be relegated to a dishwasher position."
The business employs six other people with autism and the creations are sold at farmer’s markets in Carmel and Fishers.
“Not only do they bring in their strengths, they bring in a whole new perspective of things. We go slowly. We're flexible," said Shelly.
You can learn more about No Label at the Table by visiting their website.
