Lea Hurley never thought the company she started in her basement would become her livelihood.
"The American Dream started in my basement back in 2018," Hurley told Fox News Digital in an interview from his home in Noblesville, Indiana.
At the time, Hurley was in the midst of a battle with cancer and developed numerous food intolerances. She said "everything" made her sick except the turkey, rice and nut butter.
Egg prices soar: 6 suitable food alternatives
It was that last one that ended up being a real game-changer, and not just for her physical health.
"I discovered I could make nut butter taste like dessert," she said.
Lea Hurley of Indiana is the founder and CEO of American Dream Nut Butter Company. (American Dream Nut Butter)
Instead of eating junk food, she makes her own nut butter, which helps satisfy her sweet tooth without making her sick.
"Not only did it help curb my sweet tooth, it really changed my body composition," she said.
Hurley, a former personal trainer, started incorporating nut butter into her clients' plans, and "they were seeing the same results that I was seeing," she said.
Women who are 'allergic to everything' can only eat these two things
"So my husband has been begging me to let him enter bodybuilding competitions because we have a lot of friends who are competitors," she said.
Initially, Hurley was hesitant and refused to let him do it, but that didn't stop him.
"It was a hit. Everybody loved it."
"He took it without me knowing and it was a hit. Everyone loved it," she said.
Before long, people were coming to her house and filling their own glass jars with nut butter. She realized she should start selling them herself.
Hurley started posting her nut butters on social media and saw her following grow.
“In 2018, I started with 12 followers and now we have 200,000 followers,” she said. “I still remember the first online order I received.”
American Dream Nut Butter first became available online in 2018. The company sold its millionth unit in 2024. (American Dream Nut Butter)
She told Fox News Digital that the first order was so exciting that she and her family were dancing around the house.
In July 2024, American Dream nut butter reached one million online sales.
“It’s a crazy story, going from nothing to where we are now,” she said.
Girl Scouts say 2 cookie flavors will be retired after 2025
Hurley named her company American Dream because, for her and her family, "that's what we felt like we were doing."
"We're living the American dream. We're the epitome of what it means, how people start from scratch. And then, you know, with a little opportunity, hard work and the grace of God, you can really make a difference," she said.
Hurley said she and her family have been "living the American dream" since she turned her American Dream nut butter business into a company. (American Dream Nut Butter)
She told Fox News Digital that the company was "actually like a godsend because I would have been laid off because I would have had to miss all my work" because she suffers from multiple medical conditions.
She says the process of creating one of her products starts with some math and high-quality ingredients. The protein powder in American Dream products is produced exclusively for the company.
Kate Middleton eats this heart-healthy 'superfood' for breakfast every day
"It starts with the core ingredients I use, first making sure they taste good and then getting the proportions right," she says.
She then turned to the "macros" of the product: its carbohydrate, protein and fat content.
Hurley said she wants her nut butters to "taste like you're eating the real thing." (American Dream Nut Butter)
“I also wanted it to taste like you were eating the real thing,” she says, as best she can.
"No protein brownie is going to taste like a brownie. But I wanted to get as close as possible to it without using artificial sweeteners because I really don't like those," Hurley said.
Click here to subscribe to our lifestyle newsletter
In addition to producing nut butters, cookies and other protein-rich foods, another goal of American Dream is to "try to help as many people as possible."
One group she's particularly concerned about is veterans. American Dream has its own program for veterans and first responders, which the company calls "American Heroes."
"Troops say one of the things they miss most about home is junk food."
"Every month, a customer or ambassador nominates a veteran, first responder or active military member for us to send a care package to. We send 100 care packages every month," she said.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
In addition to nut butters and other American Dream products, troops overseas receive "big boxes full of goodies."
"Troops say one of the things they miss most about home is junk food," Hurley said.
The founder of American Dream's "American Heroes" program says it sends 100 care packages each month to military, veterans and first responders. (American Dream Nut Butter)
“So in addition to nut butter, we’ll be packing things like Doritos, Pop-Tarts, cookies and everything they ask for, plus some fun things to do like crossword puzzles and stuff like that To pass the time.”
Hurley said she discovered what she considers a gift from God by making nut butters that are both nutritious and delicious.
Click here to get the Fox News app
"I don't know what to do," she said.
"I feel like everyone has a different God-given talent, and that's my gift. It wasn't until I started the American Dream that I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I do have a God-given talent.'"