Addison LaBonte’s story begins on the soccer fields of the University of Maine, where a shy freshman walk‑on quickly caught the eye of teammates and coaches with her relentless grit.
Early Athletic Roots
A mathematics major with a business administration minor, she earned a scholarship and became a mainstay on the UMaine women’s soccer team, starting 16 games in 2013 and all 18 in 2014. Her competitive spirit, honed on the pitch, would later become the engine of her entrepreneurial pursuits.
When a gluten‑free lifestyle became a necessity for health reasons, LaBonte began experimenting with recipes in her kitchen. An Instagram account she launched under the name Organically Addison attracted over 300,000 followers, turning a personal hobby into a modest online storefront.
From Apartment Kitchen to Nationwide Shipments
In 2021 she relocated to Dallas, where a single batch of chocolate chip cookies launched Sweet Addison’s. The venture grew from a 700‑square‑foot apartment to a multi‑seven‑figure operation that now ships desserts across the United States.
The brand has been featured by TODAY.com, OK! Magazine, NBC Dallas‑Fort Worth and numerous podcasts, and it employs a small but dedicated team of six. Wholesale partnerships are expanding, and the company’s gluten‑free, dairy‑free treats are finding shelf space in retailers beyond Texas.
A Discipline That Transcends the Field
LaBonte’s daily schedule is meticulously organized, reflecting the same precision she applied to training drills and game plans. She recently completed a 50‑kilometer ultramarathon in Dallas and is already plotting a 50‑mile race for the near future, underscoring a mindset that refuses to settle.
Family Ties and Future Goals
The LaBonte family shares a deep connection to the University of Maine; her father Richard played football in the early 1980s, her mother Robin met Richard there, and her siblings Delaney and Trevor also wore Black Bears colors in soccer and baseball, respectively. Scott Atherley, her former soccer coach, sees clear parallels between her athletic discipline and business acumen. Looking ahead, LaBonte hopes to bring Sweet Addison’s products back to Maine, where she considers the state her true home.