Daily Inspiration: Meet Nay Dismore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nay Dismore. 

Hi Nay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started a gourmet flavored pretzel company in January 2014 through the ECDI and Food Fort. I researched all about doing a food business for about 2 1/2 years before finding the aforementioned organizations and launched it through them. I wanted to do it right the first time. Their expertise, knowledge, and help made it an easier beginning. Their connections helped me find the right suppliers for every facet of my business and I am still able to use a lot of local businesses as our suppliers. It was wonderful to have people to go to as my business began to grow, i.e., nutritional panels and UPC Codes. We have since moved from Food Fort into several different venues, and now as we are looking for our own commercial kitchen space with a retail area, I am thankful to have the ECDI and Food Fort to consult with on this next leg of our journey. Hospitality is my heart, and I so enjoy helping individuals and companies provide our snacks with great gift packaging that’s right for the occasion. 

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?
We have had our share of challenges at first Pretzels with a Twist and since launching Snacks with a Twist in October 2019. Our pretzel company had grown quick a lot, and we needed more space and help. We decided to partner with a co-packer in Cleveland. It meant going up there quick a bit to train their staff in our processes. At first, things were going well, and soon things went downhill with their constant staff changes and failure to follow our processes to the extent of them changing our recipes and even shipping burnt pretzels. We ended that relationship, and that put us in a very difficult position as we were shipping all over the country. We closed the pretzel company down while we looked for a new commercial kitchen. When we found our current space, and after a lot of prayer and discussion, we decided to give the company a new name and added a line of Bark, candies, and spreads. A lot of friends and family had been suggesting that I sell these items as I used them as gifts for years. Then covid hit five months later, and we lost all of our corporate accounts. We then punted! LOL! We started traveling around with some friends’ food truck as their “snack and dessert” table. We started doing fundraisers for non-profits, schools, and ministries. We added specialty gift packaging and private labeling and promoted our Tastings to weddings, parties, and all events. We are starting to really gain what had been stopped for a season. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Everything is made in-house, and we always go the extra step for our clients. You give us your budget, and we take it from there for every season and holiday. We provide the gift bags, tissue, and gift tags (if wanted) and they are included in your budget. Our Buckeye Pops have become very popular for favors for any event. We put them on paper straws that will go with your theme. This is the special fun part for me! We make your event memorable by our special packaging, gift packaging, labels, and bags for our products. We have been known for our gourmet flavored pretzels, but all of our Barks, Candies, and Spreads are fast gaining popularity. Our Peanut Butter Bark is affectionally known as “Peanut Butter Crack.” Penned by the owner of a large cookie company! I am most proud of making everything fresh and exactly like the client or customer want. We are set apart by our specializing in product packaging and gift packaging that is perfect for whoever it is meant for – regardless of if it is for just one person! 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I give a lot of credit to the ECDI, Food Fort, and the Women’s Business Center for their help in launching my business and helping over the last eight and a half years. My incredible husband, Terry Dismore. Cheerleader extraordinaire and so much more! I thank Michelle, snack buyer at the Morgan House in Dublin, who also spent time letting me pick her brain about packaging and labels. She was our first vendor and still is! The Morgan House is like Disneyland for women with a fantastic restaurant. 

Pricing:

• Pretzels – $6.00 each, 3 for $15.00
• Bark – $9.00 each, 3 for $25.00
• Dizzies – $2.00 each, 3 for $5.00
• Buckeye and S’mores on a Stick – $3
• Spreads – $9.00 each, 3 for $25.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.snackswithatwist.com
• Instagram: Snacks with a Twist by Nay’s Creative Ways
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnacksbyNay
• Youtube: Nay’s Creative Ways
• Yelp: SNACKS WITH A TWIST