I got to know Dolly while I was doing CrossFit. (She’s pretty awesome at CrossFit!) She began to make and sell cookies that looked amazing. Given my love for supporting others, supporting local, and cookies, ? I ordered several boxes of custom cookies from her. Not only were they exactly what I specified, they were delicious! Every creative ask I’ve had for her has been exceeded! I also love her ability to involve her grandchildren in her business! Dolly is creating amazing memories and she is providing her grandchildren with a solid business background. I hope you will think of Dolly and her wonderful cookie business when you are in the Phoenix area. You won’t be disappointed!

Tell me a little bit about your business.

I make custom decorated sugar cookies.  The kind that not only look good but taste good too. I have seen and tasted so many cute cookies but once past the cuteness, the flavor and texture just does not compliment the cookie and has been a disappointment.  

What was your inspiration for creating your business?

My inspiration comes from many places.  I always have enjoyed some sort of creative outlet, whether it be sewing, crochet, jewelry, paper crafting, etc. I constantly have my hands in something. (I have even made those beads out of magazines like the women in Africa, I was curious.)   Currently cookies are my thing. I am amazed with what all those cookie artists out there can do to a cookie! My biggest inspiration has been my family and friends that have encouraged me to turn this hobby into a little side business. 

Why do you feel you are successful? How do you measure success?

I have had a little success. People are interested and are happy with what they have ordered from me. I suppose that I measure my success by how customers react to their cookies. If they are happy, I am successful.  Also if I have repeat business…. So far so good  ; ). I want to grow the business a bit more, not over the top though. I am not looking to make a living but rather just a little side income doing something I enjoy that will keep me busy since recently retiring.  

What brings you the most joy specific to your business?

A few things

  • People’s reactions when they see their cookies but also when they tell me how good they taste.
  • Two of my eight beautiful grandchildren, are very vested in my little business. My granddaughter who is now 9 is full of ideas and enthusiasm. She loves helping and holds the title of “Director of Marketing”. Her interest even led her to take the Arizona Food Handlers course which she easily passed.  At 7, my grandson watches everything and is quick to point out design flaws.  Because of his keen eye and quest for perfection…he holds the title of “Director of Quality Control”. I have always told them that this most important ingredient in anything I make for them is love.  Now they add the same love ingredient as well….melts my heart. 
  • Learning new techniques and overcoming my own perceived obstacles 
  • Finding a bargain… I bought my Kitchen Aide mixer on Swip Swap for $65.00.  Had it not been for that purchase, this cookie thing would have never started. 

What advice do you have for others who might be in a similar situation?

Don’t do it for the money!  Do it for the pleasure of having a creative outlet with the bonus of making a little income of the side.  It is expensive to accumulate all that you need and if you were to calculate your hourly rate, you might be pretty discouraged. Like anything, sometimes you make money, sometimes you break even and sometimes you lose…learn from each experience and adjust accordingly.

Don’t over extend yourself and be honest with your clients, if they are asking for something that you aren’t able to provide, then tell them…whether it be a design, a quantity or a timeline. I have turned away orders, and while I was disappointed that I did, I knew it was the right thing to do. 

Don’t undercut the completion by lowering your price to attract more customers. There is a great community of cookie artists out there that support one another. Respect the time and effort you put into your own work and the work of others.  If you want to attract more customers, make a better product, provide better service and just be a good person. Word of mouth is one of your best commercials. 

What has been the most surprising positive of starting your business?

I really only started selling cookies in August, 2018. I am surprised by the number of orders I have received since then.  I am thankful for the communities that I am networked with, I would say that has helped immensely. That being said, my goal will be to extend beyond that first layer so to speak, to grow my business.

What has been the biggest challenge as you start your business?

The biggest challenge has been time until now. I recently retired. When I did work sometimes it was hard to find the balance between all aspects of my life and to do cookies. Not so much anymore. Thankfully, my hubby has been a huge help with so many pieces of this. Always willing to do whatever I ask of him whether getting all the required Arizona certifications to help in the kitchen, to make dough and bake cookies, to running errands and just cleaning up after me; I can get a little messy.  Side note, even my 9 year old granddaughter went online and did the certifications so she could help too.  She is a stickler when it comes to following the rules! 

Please include any sources that people can use to purchase from you or connect with you.