Oklahoma Mom Turns Passion Project Into Family Business

After beating Stage 2 Thyroid cancer, one Green Country mom turned her passion for making food for her family into a business to help pay off medical bills.

The Sixth Day Snack Kitchen, owned and operated by husband and wife Dawn and Craig Chesser with their three kids, makes and sells snacks such as fresh salsas, hummus and granola bites- all homemade, with wholesome ingredients.

This is food Dawn has been making for her own family for years but her passion project turned into something much bigger, when her life took and unexpected and frightening turn.

"I found a lump in my neck," said Dawn.

Right before Christmas in 2013, while her babies were just 5, 3 and 21 months old, Dawn was diagnosed with Stage 2 Thyroid cancer. Doctors told her the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes.

"Your whole life just takes a detour," said Dawn.

The Green Country community rallied around Dawn and her family as she courageously fought her cancer.

"You can get trapped in that feeling of this is unfair and it is not supposed to be this way but it also gave me the chance to stand up and fight knowing that I had something bigger than myself to be here for," said Dawn.

It took one year and 10 months but eventually her scan came back all clear.

"This all started as a fundraiser to pay off her cancer treatment bills," said Craig.  

Dawn started selling her snacks to friends and family and paid off thousands of dollars in medical bills in just three weeks.

"What was intended for harm, God meant for good," said Dawn.

The family was part of the Kitchen 66 Launch Program at Mother Road Market which helped them kickstart their business. Sales took off and in March of 2019 Craig stepped away from his full-time job to help with the business.

"To be able to see the community come around us and support us in our time of need just inspires us and encourages us to give back to that community and pay it forward in ways that we can," said Craig.

Now they run a successful business, as a family.

"There is a song that talks about beauty from ashes. It was one of the songs I listened to a lot while going through treatment. It just kind of rings in my ears," said Dawn, "I hope it gives other people hope."

You can visit their Facebook page and their website here for more information.