Stir it Up is a bakery with the mission of providing employment to those with disabilities.

When I was in college, I was a leader for Young Life Capernaum, which is essentially a youth group for those with disabilities, and what I noticed was that several of my friends were struggling to find employment, and they'd come to me each week and they say, "You know, Zoe, I'm looking for a job.

Do you know who's hiring?

You know, what can I do?"

And at that time, I really had no idea where to direct them to or advice.

I looked into it and that's when I found that nearly 75% of those with disabilities are actually unemployed.

So I created Stir It Up.

- [Presenter] Zoe started the bakery in 2016 out of her parents' home kitchen.

They launched on World Down Syndrome Day with a popup.

Her goal was to sell 20 to 30 orders of cookies.

She was blown away when she received over 500.

- I started with a bakery at the time because it was the easiest way to market in the sense that I could start right out of my parents' home kitchen, and I also wanted something that everyone could get behind.

You know, if you don't love baked goods, you know someone who does.

So everybody could kinda go and support the mission.

- [Presenter] Their mission is pretty straightforward.

Baked goods that do good.

Employing and empowering individuals of all abilities.

The cookies, cake pops, and cinnamon rolls reflect the sweetness of a talented workforce that includes everyone.

- We're a bakery first and foremost, and I trust our staff.

Anybody can learn how to do anything.

It's been really awesome to teach them some really intricate recipes.

- I'm a baker and I get to prep cookies, and I get to scoop cones.

- We have a team of aides.

All of our team is part-time, and they kind of work based on the hours that they're looking for.

They all are paid.

They all bring something different to our kitchen.

They are the best staff I have ever worked with in a bakery.

They show up on time, they show up every single day, and they're happy to do whatever is asked of them, and it's a really beautiful thing to see them master certain recipes and take ownership of those.

- I would say our team is involved in all aspects of the business.

Anything from prepping dough, making, decorating, serving customers, making boxes.

They're involved start to finish.

- [Presenter] Molly has perfected the recipes at Stir It Up and she's quick to point out that they do have a secret ingredient.

It's love.

The staff is excited to work and their joy can be tasted in all their baked goods.

- Oftentimes we have music on, the staff are singing, and when we're scooping dough, we're chatting about life, and vacations, and what's going on in the week.

- It's just nice getting to like, know them over the years and they've always been so supportive and understanding about different like struggles other people might not have on a day to day basis, yeah.

- [Presenter] Stir It Up Bakery outgrew the home kitchen and now has their own storefront.

They recently opened a walkup window.

The Monster Cookies, cinnamon rolls, and savory scones are all fan favorites.

The fun part about putting in an order at Stir It Up is the more sales they make, mean the more hours their staff gets to bake.

- People with disabilities are employable.

They need maybe some additional training and support, but my goal is to be an example to other businesses and to show them that they can do it as well.

You don't need to be a non-profit to do that.

You'll not only enjoy, you know, a great cookie or a cinnamon roll, or a scone, but you'll be able to interact with our staff and to see the joys or the joy that those with disabilities bring into the workforce.