The only publication dedicated to business in Onslow County onslowbusiness.com
February 3, 2026 Vol. 3 Issue 2
Pitch It! Winner Hits the Streets An idea to create a business that he could operate with his son became a winning pitch for Damon Sonnier. Monster Mac Snacks won the Pitch It! Onslow competition in the spring of 2025 and now Damon and his son, Mac, are hitting the streets with their treats. Damon retired from a 30-year career in the Marine Corps and essentially switched places with his wife, Rosie, who had been caring for Mac, an individual with autism. Rosie earned her masters degree in mental health counseling and now works with members of the military at a clinic on base. The reality quickly set in that when Mac graduated from high school, he would have about a 10-15% chance of finding meaningful employment. Damon then decided to create a business that would work for Mac and for himself. Business ideas started with the possibility of a snow cone truck. However, Damon says that “after doing our research and some inperson visits, we knew that wasn’t a choice.” He explains that Mac is noise sensitive and
the noise would have been overwhelming for him. Damon began researching other options. So then, Damon says, “we came up with pre packaged ice cream, like an ice cream truck. And we can do that. We can sell it.” He adds that he was confident that was something that Mac could do also.
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Making a difference for businesses in and around the Greater Onslow County area: Jacksonville, Swansboro, Richlands, Camp Lejeune, Holly Ridge, Hubert, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and beyond.
The Monster Mac Snack team— Mac and Damon Sonnier
The mobile truck idea was perfect for both of them, Damon says. He explains that the business had to “be something that had a lot of flexibility built into it.” With the truck, he says, “we can start when we want and, if things are overwhelming, we can go somewhere else.” He adds that they would not have that flexibility with a brick-andmortar store.
Mac’s favorite book is “The Monster at the End of This Book.” He loves Sesame Street as well. When they were deciding on the name and on the look of the truck itself, Mac was very excited about a monster design that Damon showed him. The name naturally evolved from there and the business became Monster Mac Snacks. The snacks include pre-packaged ice cream items as well as drinks, chips, candy bars, and even some individually packaged pickles. Damon says he has also
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
found a supplier for Georgia coffee, a treat in Japan that was popular among military members stationed there. Damon and Mac are “in training” through the spring and are planning an official grand opening in April, which is Autism Awareness Month. Damon says, “everyone's been super nice. We’re in a good place right now.” Monster Mac offers swing by and event services, as well as established routes. www.monstermacsnacks.com monstermacsnacks@gmail.com
Business Over Breakfast Recap ... 2 Cost of Avoiding Your Books ................. 3 Chamber Corner ... 4 Networking Opportunities ....... 5 Southern Skies ...... 6 Small Business Numbers ............. 6 JOED Seeking CEO 7 Mill Avenue Businesses ........... 8 Richlands Nonprofit Seeks Sponsors ..... 10 OMH—Transformative Emergency Care .... 11 Trust and Connection .......... 12 Reply All? ............ 13 Mindset and Momentum .......... 14 Training Opportunities ....... 15