When Allison Zaluski found herself pulled over at a gas station during a panic attack, she reached for a bag of Warheads sour candies – a coping strategy her therapist had recommended. That moment of relief sparked an innovative business idea that would eventually become Reroute Wellness, thanks in part to the guidance and support of The Livingston Business HUB’s Small Business Support program.
“I knew from personal experience with panic disorder that sour hard candies could help interrupt an attack,” explains Zaluski, who is preparing to launch her first product, “In Its Tracks,” a natural remedy designed to stop panic attacks and help prevent future episodes. The product combines the immediate sensory interruption of a sour hard candy with carefully selected adaptogens like holy basil, theanine and vitamin D, creating a two-pronged approach to managing panic attacks.
The journey from concept to launch has been methodical and scientific. Zaluski has partnered with food scientists in the Netherlands to perfect her formula, ensuring it’s effective, safe, and all-natural. “It works right as you eat it with the sour distraction, but it takes about 15 minutes for the wave of calm to kick in,” she explains. The addition of vitamin D was inspired by research showing its deficiency in many people with panic disorder.
Zaluski connected with The Livingston Business HUB through the Howell Chamber of Commerce. There she met Sharla Horton, who connected her with business consultant Kevin Soborski. Through the Hub’s grant program, Zaluski receives one-on-one consulting sessions with Soborski at no cost – a valuable resource for a self-funded entrepreneur.
“This is my first time starting a business, so I don’t always know what exactly to do next,” Zaluski shares. “Kevin has been really helpful in providing a roadmap and pointing me in the right direction for each phase.” His 30+ years of business experience has proven particularly valuable as Zaluski navigates the challenges of product development and preparation for launch.
The support has come at a crucial time. Zaluski has been bootstrapping her business while managing significant development costs, including $4,000 for initial food production and additional investments for factory reports and scaling production. While The Hub has connected her with potential loan options and connections, she has so far funded the venture herself, supplemented by a small grant from Michigan State University, where she minored in entrepreneurship.
Zaluski’s vision extends beyond her initial product. Once “In Its Tracks” launches in spring 2025, she plans to expand the flavor options beyond the current berry-cherry and develop additional natural mental health products. Her goal is to provide alternatives to pharmaceutical solutions, making mental health management more accessible and natural.
The entrepreneur’s confidence in her concept was reinforced when she showcased her pre-launch business at TEDx Detroit. “I saw how many people were coming up to my booth, excited for their kids to try it, or for their friends, or for themselves,” she recalls. “That’s when I realized I was on the right track.”
For other entrepreneurs, Zaluski highly recommends seeking support through The Livingston Business HUB, especially when starting from scratch. The combination of experienced mentorship, strategic guidance, and practical support has helped transform her personal solution into a promising business venture poised to help others reroute their response to panic and anxiety.
For more information about Small Business support, please visit https://annarborusa.org/smallbusiness
