Eating on campus looks different for University of Missouri students, senior Alyssa Pick and junior Lizzy Dekrell. From poring over ingredient labels to making specific requests at the dining halls and restaurants, the process of simply grabbing a snack is complicated due to their gluten-free diets. Pick, who is gluten intolerant, and Dreckell, who has celiac disease, found that despite all of the obstacles they faced when eating on campus, few actions were being taken to find solutions for those with specific dietary needs.

Pick and Dekrell decided to address the issue themselves. Together, they came up with a solution: Glutique, a gluten-free shop with snacks specifically curated for students. Knowing that those with gluten-free dietary needs are often overlooked, Pick said she and Dekrell wanted to create something that brought their needs to the forefront.

“We’re used to being the last thought, unfortunately, in different scenarios,” Pick said. “A lot of people don’t think (about) what all goes into being gluten free. We’re serving a group of people that just often aren’t thought of, and this is … for those

people.”

Their idea formed when the two met through Mizzou’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization. As business students, both knew they were interested in entrepreneurship, and they decided to collaborate when they realized they shared a gluten-free diet.

At first, Pick and Dekrell aimed to start a food truck; then, they shifted towards making their own product. Eventually, the two landed on curating snacks through a subscription service. Their business idea was able to grow with help from the Entrepreneurship Alliance program at the Trulaske College of Business. As they worked through the Entrepreneurship Alliance program, Pick and Dekrell’s vision for Glutique shifted again – to reach the most people, they needed a storefront.

“With EA, we were doing snack boxes, like a snack subscription service, but we realized how hard it is to find gluten-free snacks on campus,” Pick said. “So we applied for the retail space and to make it more convenient, not only for gluten-free people, but just people who want to eat healthier and have quick convenient snack options.”

Through the Griggs Innovators Nexus, students are able to apply for a storefront in the student center. Those who are selected through the competitive process are allowed to use and customize the 300 square feet space rent-and-utility free.

For their application, Pick and Dekrell had to prove there was enough demand for their business, which led them to survey hundreds of students across campus. Using the data they gathered, Pick and Dekrell pitched their idea to the Griggs Innovators Nexus, Missouri Student Unions and U.S. Bank. Glutique was selected as one of five student businesses to receive retail space in the Student Center.

Now, business is in full swing in room 1206 of the Student Center.

Running Glutique is a very involved process for Pick and Dekrell, who are constantly brainstorming more ideas and going on side quests, such as random trips to Sam’s Club. However, both say that connecting with their customers is their favorite part of the job. As someone with celiac disease, serving people who have similar struggles is especially fulfilling for Dekrell.

“I just like meeting people’s needs,” Dekrell said. “I like making them feel seen, and wanted and respected. Like, ‘I understand you.’”

Although the store is geared towards those with gluten-free diets, Glutique attracts all kinds of customers. Junior Josie Moore doesn’t have any gluten intolerances or allergies, but she goes to the store regularly because of the shop’s atmosphere and their selection of energy drinks.

“Every time I’ve come, whoever’s been here has always been nice, and I love Alanis and (they) always have a lot stocked,” Moore said.

Glutique works to build a community where everyone, no matter their dietary needs, can feel welcome. However, Dekrell says that they also rely on the community of fellow student entrepreneurs they’ve built through the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Entrepreneurship Alliance programs.

“When you’re putting yourself around people who are high achieving and have big dreams, it makes you want to do the same,” Dekrell said. “Those people have pushed me to become a better person and just go for my goals, and (they) have supported me so much along the way.”

Edited by Jae Jepsen | [email protected]
Edited by Violet Newton and Emma Harper | [email protected]
Edited by Chase Pray | [email protected]