Maple and cool ranch are now among the pretzel flavors Alec Distler, 16, of Williston distributes across New England. What started as an eighth grade challenge project, selling to his pals, has grown into a full-fledged entrepreneurial operation, and a successful one at that.
Distler is expanding. His spiced up, sourdough pretzels have a new name, logo and packaging. The company known as Alec’s Spicy Pretzels, is now, Distler’s Pretzels.
The small venture, four years in the making, has gone from The Williston Farmers Market to distribution across New England, and soon to be in the hands of some pretty influential people.
Distler has been asked to have his pretzels featured in gift bags for the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards in New York City on April 30. Distler’s Pretzels will be given to 800 of the most influential people in sports broadcasting including Bob Costas, Bryant Gumbel and Charles Barkley.
Spicy pretzel lovers can breathe a sigh of relief. Alec’s Spicy Pretzels didn’t sell out – it just changed its name.
The reason for the name change was much simpler.
“We did this to grow our company,” said Lynn Distler, who added that Distler’s Pretzels will be featured in the gift bags handed out at the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards, to be held April 30 in New York City.
Reading, writing, arithmetic ... and money management? Financial-literacy programs are popping up all over, to school kids on saving, spending and investing wisely.
But some eager young entrepreneurs don't need professional help - they're figuring out money matters on their own.
We found several local "biz kids" - between 8 and 18 years old - who are turning their hobbies and skills into fledgling business ventures. Some of them spend what they earn; others give most of their profits to charity.
As Alec’s pretzels were becoming popular among his classmates, Williston Central School introduced all 8th graders, including Alec, to the 8th grade challenge. Alec, with a passion for entrepreneurship, decided to put this recipe to the test. He started producing pretzels and selling them at the local Williston farmer’s market. Things would quickly start to grow for Alec and his small venture to the point where it is today.
Alec’s business has found success and publicity beyond his local communities. Alec’s pretzels have appeared on the Rachael Ray Show and have been sold in Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium. It’s no coincidence that his pretzels have been so successful and that his choice to combine entrepreneurship and his family recipe would pay off.
Tell us about your background and a brief history of your business: I was born and raised in Vermont, and have lived in Williston my whole life. I went to Williston Central School, and while at Williston you need to do an 8th grade challenge. We used to make them all the time for holidays and special events. I had already brought them into school and I thought it would be cool to sell them at the local farmers’ market to make some money for a charity. People started noticing, and then the pretzels were ordered by Champlain Valley Union (CVU). From then, it sort of just took off from there. Now there are 700-1,000 ordered every week from that school alone.
When Alec Distler, 14, of Williston, created “Alec’s Spicy Pretzels” for a school project, he never imagined the snack be featured on a nationally televised program a year later. Monday his popular pretzels will be “Snack of the Day” on the Rachael Ray Show. It airs on WCAX Channel 3 in the Burlington area from 9 to 10 a.m.
Spicy pretzels a hot new treat!