Today’s interview is with Carol of Carol’s Cookies. Please visit their website, Facebook and Twitter pages. Don’t forget to enter the big anniversary giveaway as well for a chance to win a year’s worth of cookies!
Thank you for participating our interview. Carol, tell us a little bit about the inspiration for your cookies?
When I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, my mother used to bake with me and my sisters. One made cakes, one made pies and I made the cookies. After having my kids, I filled my time with baking again and friends and family pleaded with me to turn my hobby into a real business.
What made you decide to start selling the cookies commercially?
I was in charge of the “snack bar” at our workout facility (which was a few dance studio rooms more or less). It wasn’t to make money, just for fun. One of the women told me to bring my handmade cookies to an upscale, local grocery store called Sunset Foods. They told me to demonstrate the product and sell which I could. I sold out in less than two hours and the rest is history. The photo is an advertisement running at Sunset Foods right now to honor our 35th anniversary and them being my first account.
I also see you just celebrated 35 years in business that’s quite a milestone! How has the business changed during that time?
This year marks our 35th anniversary of making handmade cookies. The business went from me baking in my home kitchen to making nearly 3 million cookies by hand in 2013. We sell to hundreds of upscale stores including Whole Foods across the United States and have distribution points from coast-to-coast. What hasn’t changed is the quality, we still make everything in small batches, crack our own eggs and source 95% of our products within 100 miles of our bakery. See this link to an article published on Tuesday which tells a little bit more about our company.
How does technology play into your company? Do you or your key employees use a smartphone or tablet to manage the business? If so, what are your favorite apps?
Because we make everything by hand, the technology piece for us is primarily external. We are putting a lot of our efforts behind social media channels and building our online gift business via our website. We want Carolscookies.com to be the go to destination for people looking for handmade cookies. There has been a discussion about a build-your-own cookie app, but we are not there yet.
How have you found being a mom and balancing a business? Do you have any tips to share with our readers?
Family always comes first. You have to view business as an outlet, and if you can make a living off of doing what you love, your family will support you. Raising kids and launching a business isn’t easy, but you need to challenge yourself every day and be excellent at organizing your life. . . if those pieces fall into place, you can have fun building a business from the ground up.
What are your plans for the future?
We are looking at expanding our bakery to a new facility as we have grossly outgrown our current space.
Any news you want to share with The iMums?
We are just launching our new mini candy cookies at Whole Foods in the Midwest and in Colorado in May so look out for that. Also, don’t forget to enter The #SweetestMom In Your Life Today On Our Facebook Page:http://bit.ly/1nm7udQ
Thank you so much for talking with us today and sharing a bit about your company. We really appreciated the chance to get to know you! One other thing, for those of us who have families with allergies, Carol’s Cookies makes a nut free and gluten free option as well which is delicious! We are lucky enough to host a cookie giveaway ourselves here – so be sure to enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.
Giveaway
If you would like to win a free tin of cookies, please enter via the widget below. Winners will be emailed and must contact The iMums within 48 hours to claim their prize. This giveaway is open to those with a valid United States mailing address to claim the prize. Please ensure you have read and understand our Terms & Conditions. Good luck!
The staff at my sons school
I would share them with my office. 🙂
Do I have to share them? I would give them to my children.
I would give these cookies to my mom!
I would share them with my mom, of course!
I’d give them to my mom! She has shared many a cookie with me! 🙂
I would so give these to my cookie fanatic son who is currently living away from home in a rehabilitative placement. He could use a little touch of home and a reminder of the love that cookies represent. Man, I just wish I could give him a hug right now, thinking about it. Things have been tough for him, but he is working hard and hoping to be able to exit the program by meeting his goals soon.
I would share them with the teachers who work with me. They are under appreciated.
I would give the cookies to my hubby and daughter. I would hope they would share one or two with me. Thank you!
I’d give these yummy cookies to the yummy hubby :+)
I would share with my coworkers
I would share them with my family.
I would keep and share with the whole family
I would give these to my mommy of course!
I would give them to my husband and kids to eat. 🙂
My kids would love to eat them
I guess I’d consider sharing with my family….maybe! 🙂
we would eat them lol
I would give them to my best friend – she is a cookie addict!
I love cookies, as does my son. 🙂
I would share them with my hubby and two year old son
I would share them with my 3 beautiful grandchildren ofcorse!
I would share my cookies with my coworkers!
I’d give them to my mother ^_^
I would give them to my dad for all he does!
My grandma!
I’d give them to my best friend.
I would share them with my family.
i would give them to my bf.
he is pretty great 😉
Yum! I would share them with my daughters.
I’d give the cookies to my mom, but I may take one or two! 🙂
I would give hem to my two boys with autism! Love cookies!
I would share with my sweet husband and our caregivers!
I’d share with my family.
Homemade cookies are my favorite!
I would take them to one of my work sites -which is an nursing home- and give them away.
I would share with my coworkers!
my cookie monster daughter 🙂
I would give them to my parents-they would love them!
I would give the cookies to my grandkids (after I tested them)!
I would give these cookies to my Granny if I won. She loves to enjoy a cookie with her tea.
I would share them with my family.
I’d give the cookies to my children! (Okay, so I might eat one myself!)
I would keep the cookies if I won!! Cookies!!!
what fun! cant wait to find at whole foods or next time I am in Saginaw!!!