WHS senior Emma Jepsen created her business, Clean Eats by Emma, to help people find healthy alternatives for their favorite foods. Jepsen started her brand by creating an Instagram food account at the beginning of her junior year in 2019.

On this account, Jepsen posts her healthy recipes and food inspirations for her 8,000 followers. After working on the account and receiving requests from her friends and family to sell her products, she was inspired to start a business and a website.

Jepsen was hesitant at first when thinking about starting her business, noting, “I didn’t want people to judge me, but now it has been something that has brought me so much joy.”

Jepsen advises other people who are thinking about starting a business to do it because it has been such a positive experience for her. “I get to help people who have struggled with restrictive eating habits like myself and show them there are alternative healthier options to treats,” said Jepsen.

Through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and her website, Jepsen attracts many readers and customers. These social media platforms allow Jepsen to share her love for baking with people. “I get to share a message of maintaining balance in your diet and that you don’t have to deny yourself the ability to have sweets in order to be healthy,” Jepsen said.

On the various social media accounts for Jepsen’s business, readers can find recipes for different dessert alternatives. For example, Jepsen posted a recipe for no-bake brownie bites that are vegan, refined sugar-free and nut-free. She posts the recipes for the treats and shows pictures of the final product.

Another special aspect about Clean Eats by Emma is that all of the recipes she shares are allergen-friendly. Previously, Jepsen struggled with finding nut-free and allergen-friendly recipes she could make, since she is allergic to nuts.

Jepsen now experiments with recipes to make them healthier and allergy-safe. “I change ratios and switch out ingredients to make them with cleaner ingredients and [make them] allergen-friendly,” Jepsen said.

On her website, products for sale include vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and dark chocolate flourless brownies. The vegan cookies are made with under 10 ingredients and come in packs of 10 for 15 dollars per pack. The flourless brownies are dairy-free and grain-free and come in packs of 16 for 15 dollars per pack.

On the website, one customer gave the brownies a five-star review and wrote, “These brownies were rich, dense, not overly sweet and absolutely delicious!”

Clean Eats by Emma has received a lot of positive reviews and feedback from customers. The ultimate goal for the business is to expand and reach new customers, but right now it’s about helping people find healthier and allergen-friendly substitutes. Jep- sen said, “I want to help people who struggle with a balanced diet to know there are healthy options that don’t compromise flavor.”