‘Healthy' Online Gluten-Free Bakery Wins Out Over Math Career

Forbes

22-05-2025

Addison LaBonte studied to become a mathematician, but she decided instead to bake gluten-free cookies and sell them online.
Brandon Wilk
Addison LaBonte played Division 1 soccer at the University of Maine and studied to become a mathematician before her life took an unplanned turn. Now, she owns and runs an online bakery, Sweet Addison's, that has sold 50,000 gluten-free, dairy-free cookies since the company was founded at the beginning of last year.
LaBonte graduated with a math degree and began distance running but experienced severe leg pain. She was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome.
It's 'a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels,' according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 'This pressure can decrease blood flow, which prevents nourishment and oxygen from reaching nerve and muscle cells.'
LaBonte says she started eating healthier foods and eliminated those with gluten and was able to run pain-free.
'After dealing with my own food sensitivities, I started creating gluten-free and dairy-free baked goods that actually tasted good,' she says. 'When I saw how much demand there was for high-quality, health-conscious cookies, I realized this could be much more than a hobby—it could be a business.'
Online entrepreneur Addison LaBonte checks on another batch of her gluten-free cookies.
Brandon Wilk
Sweet Addison's bills itself as 'America's first healthy bakery that serves impossibly soft, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth desserts that are as delicious and nostalgic as they are good for you.'
Six different cookies and two types of brownies are for sale on the company's website. Each comes in a pack of four that sells for $24, plus a shipping charge.
LaBonte believes her athleticism and math skills haven't been wasted but rather have aided her online entrepreneurship. She joined the University of Maine soccer team as a walk-on and was given a full scholorship and has since competed in marathons and half marathons.
'The discipline and strategy I developed as an athlete and a math student translated seamlessly into entrepreneurship,' LaBonte says. 'Math is everywhere in my business! I use it for demand forecasting, profit margin analysis, inventory planning and pricing strategy. Understanding data trends has been key in scaling Sweet Addison's efficiently.'
LaBonte says she has always loved problem-solving, and math is like a puzzle, requiring logic, creativity and persistence.
'I love that there is only one correct answer; it's black and white,' she explains. 'My favorite field was applied mathematics, because I enjoyed using math to solve real-world problems. Initially, I planned to go into data analysis or finance and worked as a hedge fund analyst for four years, but entrepreneurship pulled me in a different direction.'
LaBonte grew up on the southern coast of Maine, where she cooked and baked with her mother and grandmother, and now lives and operates her baking facilities in Dallas. When launching Sweet Addison's in January 2024, her goal was to create high-quality, gluten-free, dairy-free cookies that don't compromise on taste or texture.
'My journey began as a gluten-free food influencer, where I saw firsthand the demand for indulgent, allergen-friendly treats that actually taste amazing,' she says. 'What started as a passion for recreating classic cookies in a healthier way quickly turned into a thriving e-commerce bakery shipping nationwide.'
What sets Sweet Addison's cookies apart from others 'is our commitment to using real, wholesome ingredients—no preservatives, gums or fillers,' LaBonte says. 'Unlike many gluten-free cookies on the market, ours have a soft, chewy texture and rich flavor that rivals and often beats traditional cookies. We've built a loyal following, because our cookies don't just cater to dietary restrictions—they're a delicious treat for anyone who loves a great cookie.'