Help me chase my cookie dreams!

Hi, my name is Heather. I have spent my career in corporate America and at 50 years old find myself laid off for the second time in 18 months. My mindset has always been chasing a steady paycheck. It's tough out there right now, especially (and sadly) when you hit a certain age. While I look for my next full-time role, I decided to take some down time to see if I can make a hobby, really my true passion, part of my path forward.

I have loved to bake since I first made cookies with my mom. I didn't find out until later in life that she did not enjoy it, really did it for the kids. I happily took over the role of baker in the family (and for friends) very early on. It has brought me pure joy from the start. It is the only time I am doing something that my brain isn't focused on 100 other things---I can't even accomplish that while doing yoga! And while some have called me thoughtful, I consider it selfish when I share my treats with family, friends, coworkers, strangers.....it feels so very good to make people smile feeding their bellies and souls. I consider myself a memory maker and I promise once you try my chocolate chip cookies you will never forget them. I spent 6 months working on the recipe. My love of all things math and formulas in my professional life ignites in the kitchen as well. Baking is a science and if the formula isn't right the end result is not pretty....or tasty!

I am a realist, generally very practical. I know the margins in baking are not huge, especially when you use the level of ingredients that I use (that I can't compromise because it will change the "formula"). I am asking my network, and their network, to help me take a chance of making a go at being a weekend warrior in this passion project. The funds I raise here will help me start out as a Home-Based Food Producer. I will look to sell my cookies in 3 areas to start: an Etsy shop with nationwide shipping, connecting with local caterers, reaching our to corporate contacts for corporate event opportunities.

I will use the donations received here to get me started including setting up my LLC and a website. Getting a logo and labels designed. Buying ingredients, baking supplies, shipping and packing materials. Time in commercial kitchens for making more batches of cookies at a time than my kitchen can handle. Marketing expense to drive consumers to my website/Etsy shop. One of the biggest reasons, if not the biggest, small businesses fail is not having enough capital. My ask of $25,000 will give me a comfortable 6 month runway to see if I can make a real go of this dream. Hopefully making more memories, filling more bellies, making new friends along the way!

Here are some examples of how your donations can help:

$10 eggs to make over 300 cookies

$25 professional quality baking sheet (I will need at least 10 of these)

$50 enough high quality chocolate chips to make 12 dozen cookies

$100 an hour in a commercial kitchen

$500 extra large volume stand mixer

$1000 gives me a giant leap towards meeting my goal!

If you are reading this and have tasted my cookies, or any baked treat, at a party, in a conference room of the 44th floor in a glass tower (or any other building!), opened your door to a care package dropped off as a surprise (or to hunker down in a hurricane) or simply want to support a female start-up I would greatly appreciate anything you feel comfortable contributing.

Thank you in advance and I will keep you all posted along the way.

Dough36

If you know, you knough!

Heather, Founder-Baker-Recipe Maker