About Max
Max is a young adult who happens to have Down syndrome. Like many individuals with special abilities, Max dreams to go to college and live an independent life through meaningful work. Max hopes to inspire others with special abilities and build confidence in the kitchen.
Sports & Music
Max has always been passionate about sports and music. Today, Max stays busy with Special Olympics basketball, bowling, track, and Rock Band 21.
Meaningful Work
Max has always been passionate and proud to have a job, he enjoyed working as a Sacker at Price Chopper in Kansas City, an intern for Congressman Dean Phillips in Minnesota, and job training at Schnuck’s and the Renaud Community Center in St. Louis.
How it all Started
Growing up in the hotbed of Kansas City BBQ and a dad and uncle involved in competition BBQ, Max Mix started with Max making spice blends as Christmas gifts for teachers, paras, family and friends. He would help measure out the spices in a bowl and then bottle the blends into up-cycled bottles with the labels soaked off. Max decorated his rubs with own hand-drawn labels. Turns out people really liked them and would ask for refills. It quickly became Max’s thing.
The Beginnings of Max Mix
As Max got closer to adulthood, we started helping him figure out a path to achieve his dream of long-term independence and explored the spice rub as a business opportunity.
With initial funding from his high school graduation gifts and help from Mom, Dad and sister Maggy, MaxMix was launched in the Fall of 2023.
The dream is that Max Mix will provide independence for Max, provide employment and job training for others with special abilities, create awareness about the lack of meaningful and respectful employment in our special needs community and all while helping people spice up their life with flavorful food.
