Anne Beiler – Auntie Anne’s Founder

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Anne Beiler was 40 years old when she came up with the Auntie Anne’s brand for her famous soft pretzels. The company, now owned by private equity firm Roark Capital Group, has over 1,800 stores worldwide and annual sales of $800 million.

 

Growing up in an Amish community, Anne Beiler did not think about pursuing a career. She wanted to get married and raise a family. In her 20s, Anne married Jonas who was a mechanic and they were both lived happily on a farm. But on September 8, 1975, Anne was 26 years old when her second daughter Angie was killed in a tractor accident. Anne eventually sought counsel from a well-respected pastor in their community, but this would soon turn into seven years of sexual and religious abuse from him. When Anne finally had the courage to “confess” to her husband, Anne and Jonas got help through counseling. Out of that experience, Jonas wanted to change his career to become a counselor to help others in the community. Anne soon realized that she may need to find a job to support Jonas. So, in her late 30s, Anne started working at a farmer’s market making pretzels.

 

Starting her own franchising business had a set of challenges Anne never imagined. But she took it one day at a time. Anne shares how she borrowed $6,000 to buy the first store, how they came up with the secret recipe for Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and how she relied on her faith to get through the challenges of franchising the business and expanding the business nationwide. Anne also shares nuggets of wisdom on how she overcame the insecurity of having an 8^th grade education as the CEO of Auntie Anne’s. She also gives insight on how and when she came to terms with selling the business. And most importantly, she opens up on how Jonas’ commitment to love her during their toughest days has made her into the women she is today.

 

Anne Beiler is now 71 years old, living each day with hope and freedom from her past. She wants the world to not just be inspired by the story of her starting Auntie Anne’s, but to also be encouraged by how she was able to break free from the most confusing, dark and depressing time of her life. Her latest book “Secret Lies Within” shares the details behind her abusive past, and more importantly, it provides an outlet for anyone who can relate.

 

Special thanks for this episode: Anne Beiler, Gentry Lusby, Jennifer Phelps and Patricia Robson

 

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Get a digital or paper copy of Anne Beiler’s books from the links below (to support Faith Collides):

Secret Lies Within: https://amzn.to/39TlhUY

Twist of Faith: https://amzn.to/38XOkoS

 

Love Anne’s story and want to know more? Feel free to connect with her.

Anne Beiler’s website: https://auntieannebeiler.com/ (access free resources)

Anne Beiler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntieanneb

 

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Episode break on Horst Schulze’s “Excellence Wins” book: https://amzn.to/37UWG11

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Faith Collides podcast is hosted by Grace Huang from Lux Mundi.  More information: www.lxmundi.com