Young Maryland Man Shows How Life Can Be a Rainbow of Possibilities

“The world needs more crunch” believes young Annapolis entrepreneur, Marcus Moore. This 29-year-old entrepreneur has chosen this motto for the thriving premium pretzel business he founded, Moore Crunch. Pretzel-loving Moore is inspiring other young people with autism like him, as well as those with other disabilities, to follow their dreams.

How Moore Crunch came into being
His Moore Crunch website details the story behind his brand’s emergence onto the premium snacks scene. Previously, this young guy had felt unhappy that his autism diagnosis meant that he couldn't be self sufficient. His autism, combined with his severe social anxiety, meant that he found himself working as a night stock clerk with little chance of promotion.

Even when Moore swapped his job for daytime work at a grocery store, where he picked up some useful skills, he was still keenly aware that his autism would prohibit any promotion due to a lack of confidence in his leadership potential. At this point, he approached his parents as he was interested in launching his own business, but his forays into crafting didn't feel right.

One day, he was nibbling on pretzels, and felt the urge to improve their taste. When his parents suggested a pretzel business might be an option, he made some of his own pretzel snacks before honing his formula:  “I made some pretzels and they were just ok.  I switched up some things and came up with my own process and recipes.  My mom got me a booth at a local farmer’s market and Moore Crunch was born [in October 2022]” he says.

Moore buys his pretzels then adds his own seasonings. These take in Cinnamon sugar, Maryland crab, garlic ranch buffalo, buffalo and the smokehouse ranch flavors, as WBALTV NEWS reports. Moore’s range now includes gluten-free options, is sold in multiple stores, and is available for wholesale purchase. He acknowledges the continuing support of his parents, who are actively involved in his business, lovingly referring to them as Momma or Poppa Crunch.

And he loves packing each bag of his premium snack: "I just enjoy doing this. Seriously, I really do. I love it," he tells WBALTV NEWS.

What’s next for Moore’s blend of snacks and inspiration?
Today, running Moore Crunch boosts his sense of belonging and has given Moore a newfound love for inspiring people. As he explains: ”It's a lot but so much fun.  I have met very nice people that don't laugh at me or make me feel like I'm weird.” 

Moore’s proud father, Walter Mills, discusses his son’s joy and sense of purpose with WBALTV NEWS: "Just to see how people have embraced him, the social life that he never had, the opportunities that he never really had growing up, they’re coming to him now." 

The vision of his entrepreneurial offspring, meanwhile, is to grow the brand so he can hire people with autism and other disabilities to help them earn a living so they can better lead more independent lives, and care for themselves.

In a new follow-up article on Moore’s progress, ABC's WMAR-2, referring to him as the guy who couldn't climb the corporate ladder, and so built his own, reveals that Moore is thriving in his new Maryland commercial kitchen, has quit his job at the grocery store, and now employs four other team members with autism to promote his snack brand. He has also applied to set up a limited liability company. His story’s coverage has since generated custom from supporters in other areas including Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

CBS also reports that Moore was recently honored with a Governor's Citation, when his opportunity to thrive and contribute to his community was celebrated during World Autism Month in April.

The interest in his new brand, Marcus tells WBALTV News, is "Great to see. Like being an inspiration to those out there, that you can do anything," Moore shares.

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