Believing Bigger: How Protein Snack Shop Turned Passion into Purpose

Protein Snack Shop began as a hobby between husband-and-wife duo Sonny and Dana. Dana, then balancing her full-time job at Target, started making healthy, great-tasting treats at home in Smyrna Tennessee— driven by a personal commitment to wellness and feeling her best. After a year of side hustle success, she took a leap of faith and stepped away from her day job to pursue the business full time. Sonny, a pharmacist for 24 years, soon joined her with the same passion: to help people feel better in a different way.

Their very first sale totaled just $35, but they knew they were onto something. “Everyone has to start somewhere,” Sonny says.

In 2019, they introduced their products to a wider audience at the Nashville Fit Expo. With no preservatives and great flavor, their booth became the hit of the event. Over 900 attendees stopped by to learn about their protein-packed, guilt-free snacks!

Like many entrepreneurs, Sonny and Dana faced their fair share of growing pains. From navigating kitchen rentals to stepping out into their own facility just before the pandemic hit in 2020, their journey has been marked by resilience! Their breakthrough came in early 2025. After dedicating more than 60 hours a week each to the business without seeing the growth they envisioned, they decided to take a new approach—posting videos on TikTok. Their content took off—and so did their sales—bringing the opportunities they had been working toward.

As demand surged online and with wholesalers, they knew they needed the right support to sustain their growth. A trusted business coach—introduced through Sonny’s peer group of business leaders—referred them to Pathway Lending.

“Our business coach is who referred us to Pathway, he changed our whole world in so many ways,” says Sonny. “What a difference a phone call makes.”

By consolidating their business debts with a Pathway loan, they strengthened their financial footing and unlocked new growth opportunities. They currently have a four-person team, with products available wholesale, online, and even on TikTok.

Sonny and Dana lead Protein Snack Shop with heart. For them, success isn’t just about the bottom line—it’s about making a difference. “We want to be the hands and feet of God,” Sonny shares. “We’re purpose-driven, not profit-driven.”

Their business has become a platform for hope, encouragement, and connection. And now, they’re passing that spirit forward, cheering on other entrepreneurs with one key message: “Your breakthrough moment could be right around the corner. Don’t walk away just yet.” Their advice? “Get a good business coach. No matter how much you think you know, there’s always something to learn.”