Company Website: AshleysFamousCookies.com

Email address: [email protected]

IG: www.Instagram.com/ashleysfamouscookies

Twitter: Twitter.com/Doughpe

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AshleysFamousCookies

• Q: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

A: The idea for Ashley's Famous Cookies originated from making homemade chocolate chip cookies on the regular basis for my family. My mother constantly referred to them as Ashley's Famous Cookies so when I decided to start my business, it was inevitable that it would be the name.

• Q: What was your mission at the outset?

A: My mission today is still the same as it was at the beginning. I want to provide my customers with a cookie experience like no other. With quality, soft batch cookies made from scratch, customers are able to taste cookies that are made with love.

• Q: What service(s) or product(s) do you offer/manufacture?

A: Ashley's Famous Cookies is currently offering an array of cookies that come in different flavors, colors, and textures. All of our cookies are soft batched and made from scratch which makes all the difference in our cookies compared to others. Our 8 current flavors are:

Chocolate Chip, Brookie (brownie cookie), Lemon Heaven, Strawberry Crack, Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Filling, Cookies and Cream, Ultimate Oatmeal, and Sweet 16 (sugar cookies with sprinkles)

• Q: How do you advertise your business?

A: Ashley's Famous Cookies is mostly advertised through social media platforms such as Facebook, and Instagram. However, Ashley's Famous Cookies has been seen in the news, and heard on the radio a few times.

• Q: How do you advertise your product/service?

A: Just like our business, our cookies are advertised on social media as well. Nonetheless, there is no better advertisement than word of mouth. Our extremely supportive customers are constantly telling their friends and family about our cookies which helps us reach more people.

To what do you attribute your success?

First and foremost, my success is attributed to God. I know that my business and I would not be where we are today if it wasn't by his grace and mercy. Secondly my success is attributed to my friends and family. They have been by my side since day one in more ways than I can count. Rather it was coming up with ideas, spreading the word, or helping me with my son so I could be productive, they have been such a blessing to me. I couldn't thank them enough. Last but not least, the community has been so supportive of the cookies. It's always scary to put yourself and your ideas out there to the public, so to see people be so receptive to my product is such a humbling experience. I will never take it for granted.

• Q: Do you use the services of a professional accountant or attorney?

A: Yes, and no. I am currently using an accountant for a few things, but I am doing a pretty good job managing my finances on my own right now. As Ashley's Famous Cookies continues to grow, so will our needs for our services for an accountant and other professional services.

• Q: What are your company's goals?

A: Our current company goals are to become more accessible to the public. Since we are currently based from home, it is hard to accept a vast number of cookie orders and have them available the same day. We are now focusing more on vendor opportunities so we can reach more people and be easier to access. We would like to eventually have a food truck so we can be mobile and take the cookie experience to different locations.

• Q: What is unique about your business?

A: I believe that Ashley's Famous Cookies is unique because of its original product. All of our recipes are original and there is a cookie flavor for everyone. We also do our best to provide excellent customer service. I strive to have a personality as soft and warm as the cookies. It is important to me that I build personal relationships with the people who purchase my product. In a world where many people are disconnected from who and where they are getting their goods from, I think this sets us apart.

• Q: What made you choose this type of business?

A: I didn't choose the cookies; the cookies chose me. I was in a very low place in my life when I decided to start selling cookies. I felt as if I was going through the motions of day to day life and not really living. My mother was the bug in my ear that constantly told me to sell the cookies. I eventually got tired of being tired and thought to myself "Hey, what do I have to lose?" and that's how this whole thing got started. I had no idea that something I love to do (baking) would turn into my first business. I would be lying if I said I had all of this figured out or a concrete plan in the beginning.

• Q: Does your company help the community where it is located?

A: Ashley's Famous Cookies doesn't have a concrete location yet, but we can't wait to bring people together in a positive space.

• Q: Have you ever turned down a client?

A: I have never turned down a client unless they have asked for something beyond my level of expertise. We do our best to make the customers happy and alter things that are reasonable.

• Q: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

A: My advice to someone who is thinking about starting their own business would be to jump. Take that leap of faith and have confidence in yourself, your product, and your brand. You will be giving away a lot of freebies in the beginning but it doesn't last forever. I would recommend writing down your goals and ideas and then sharing them with a trusted source that can help you enhance or make positive suggestions for your business. There is so much more that goes into a business than the finish product, which is usually the only thing people see. Being an entrepreneur is not easy. People often overlook the lows and focus on the highs. Be prepared to be your own marketing director, accountant, janitor, motivator, manager, team member, and etc. In the beginning, it is only YOU. Having an idea is not enough. You must want it enough to do whatever and learn whatever you need to, to make your vision manifest.