Start-up Shoulds and Should Nots

As some of you may know, I've been traveling and teaching in Japan over the last week. These teaching experiences are memorable in SO many ways, but the biggest joy BY FAR is making real, live, face-to-face connections with Cookie Connection members. It's so wonderful to finally put faces to names, and to talk in person with those people I've grown to admire and appreciate from afar. This week, I've had the good fortune of meeting at least four Cookie Connection members...Read More...

Woo hoo! Our 2018 CookieCon Speakers Series continues (and concludes) with our last (but not least) CookieCon instructor live chat. On November 3 at 10 am central time , we're meeting up with none other than Katy Metoyer of Sugar Dayne , perhaps best known for her avant-garde, impressionistic seaside-themed cookies, like the beauties pictured below. Since 2017, she's also been the proud operator of a brick-and-mortar cookie shop, which I suspect we'll learn a lot more about during the chat!Read More...

Woo hoo! Cake Masters Magazine just announced the finalists in its 2018 awards program! As a judge, I can say with certainty that the finalists' work is amazing (better than ever, in fact!) and the judging will be intense. Joining me in the very difficult task of judging this year are the following esteemed sugar artists. It's a tremendous honor to be included among their ranks: Now, onto the really important stuff - the 2018 cookie finalists! Please say congrats to the following talented...Read More...

Thanks to Berni Solti, aka @Gingerland, for dressing up our site again this month - this time in full-on Halloween regalia! I just love Berni's crisp lines and perfect piping, and the "energy" of her designs, don't you?! As you may know, Berni has been a prolific contributor of site art, and, as such, has already been the subject of one of our in-depth Cookier Close-up interviews - one of the perks of being a site artist! So, if you don't yet know her, please read that...Read More...

Hi, everyone! The JULIA Airbrush System sold more quickly than ever anticipated and, as some of you may know, is now stocked out. Thank you to everyone who supported the product through their purchases. I am so grateful to you! Several people have asked when it will be available again, and, instead of responding to each and every one of you separately, here's the official answer for all. I regret to say that I have no plans to release any more of this particular system . It’s a long story,...Read More...

Hi, all! I have a fun little announcement for you, which includes some goodies designed to make us feel even more like one big, happy Cookie Connection family! Long story short, I recently partnered with teespring.com and YouTube to bring branded Cookie Connection and JULIA merchandise to YouTube. I’m beta-testing the feature now with some cute Cookie Connection tees and other goodies. Right now, I've got two Cookie Connection tees that look the same from the front . . . . . . but which have...Read More...

Hi, all, I've been receiving an unusually large number of questions about how members can edit or delete their own content. It's super important for you to know how to do this, as I typically do not edit posts for people, unless I happen to see a misclassified image or other typo. It can also take me several hours to days to respond to site inquiries like this, as I work several other jobs. That being said, your surest bet for getting a quick answer is to familiarize yourself with our site...Read More...

Hi, all, regrettably, I've recently had to delete some images from challenges and other areas of the site due to lack of compliance with Rule #8 of our posting guidelines, which states that artwork (including characters, from Disney, Hasbro, etc.) cannot be copied and posted here without permission from the creator : http://cookieconnection.juliau...READ-BEFORE-YOU-POST In response to those deletions, some members have asked me why so many licensed character cookies exist on the site,...Read More...

We all have different message-reading tastes, so Cookie Connection has been designed to allow for everyone's individual differences! The site's default email and onsite alert notifications are set to show you most of the site info that you could get notified about, just so you're aware of the site's full functionality. But I recognize that this amount of info may (or may not) be overkill for you. That said, I recommend that you edit your "Notifications" settings as soon as you join the site...Read More...

Read in Japanese (日本語はこちらから) (Last Translation: August 25, 2017) ________________________________ Hi, all! Before posting images or videos to the Clips area, please review the site's Terms of Use , as well as all of the following posting rules. They are designed to give your images more visibility on the site, to make sure artists are given proper credit for design inspiration and/or source artwork, and to avoid copyright violations. I'll start with the easy cataloging stuff first . . . 1.Read More...

Can someone outline the steps to start a business using cottage food law? I understand that is the key to cookie business. Julia, in one of your blogs, you stated: "I will take a two-pronged approach with this blog. The first will consist of the mechanics and the second will be mindset. The mechanics part will include technical and practical information and advice on how to build a successful cottage sweets business, such as how to create a clear vision for the kind of a business (volume)...Read More...

Does anyone have a template for a cookie startup business plan?Read More...

Hi, I make simple old-school cookies, i.e., butter cookies, oatmeal-raisin, etc. I cannot for the life of me find a cookie business name that represents me - I've gone thru about 3 of them already. My customers on my FB page must think I'm nuts LOL. I am thinking about making and selling cookies in a jar. I'm trying to come up with ways do it. Has anyone on here ever experienced selling these type of products? Anyone else on here that sells the same type of cookies? Footnote - I am an...Read More...

Hello All,    I'm on the brink of starting my business, but to be honest, I am terrified, because I'm at home with my 9 month old and 3 year old. I know that it is possible, but I would love any insight. I'm not trying to rush into anything,...Read More...

Hi, I'm planning to start a cookie business in Toronto. As a beginner, I'm searching for the procedures to start a new business. I have heard about the certification and licensing which are much needed before the start. How is it done? Can someone suggest me the ways to get the certification? One of my friends in Toronto told me that OntariobusinessCentral in Toronto will help with the starting of a business. Has anyone used their service? If so, kindly share your experience with them. How...Read More...

Hi, people, So, I need your suggestions on something. I am planning to start a cookie shop. I am confused about selecting a sign board for the store. When I checked online, I found that there are a lot of options available. I am planning to get LED board signs from https://www.newstylesigns.com/ . However, will it really look good? I want it to stand out, and people should notice it. I am looking for some good designs for my sign board. How did you all do it ? Looking forward to your...Read More...

Hi, I am at the very initial stages of starting my own cookie business. I tried to do it on my own using an oven at home but didn't do very well. So I ventured out to get hold of someone who might be doing it on a commercial scale and could make the biscuits as per my specifications. Eventually I found such a guy who was making biscuits on contract for others. I am a little surprised at the asking price for the biscuits. I am told that the quantity of butter used is twice that of the flour.Read More...

I am in Texas and looking for commercial liability insurance. Any recommendations? What is the average premium? Read More...

Hi, all! I recently started decorating cookies and now I'm HOOKED! I'm looking into starting a small cookie business here in PA, but it's so unclear as to what steps I need to take. Ideally, I'd like to sell out of my townhouse, but we have a dog. We're probably going to buy a house next year, and I thought it would be nice to potentially turn the basement into a kitchen and keep him upstairs. In the meantime, I'm thinking of asking around to see if I can bake out of a local...Read More...

I'm going to be operating under the Florida Cottage Food Law, and the label requirements are just the federal requirements. From what I'm reading on the FDA labeling and nutrition site, it sounds like, for the food coloring used in icing, I can list it as articifical color. But does anyone know for sure? Thanks.Read More...

Hi, I am currently making cookies under the Maryland Food Cottage Law. I set up at the local Farmers Markets. Someone has arranged for me to cook in their commercial Kitchen. I have the baking part down but I am wondering about licenses, packaging and...Read More...

I was asked to do a small project cookie decorating class in an elementary school. One hour class, two times a week for 9- to 12-year-old children. Each class should have a theme; the first one will be Harry Potter.   I have no experience...Read More...

I am making cookies under the Maryland Cottage Law.  I cannot use any icing on the cookies. I am not a great decorator right now anyway. Can you have a successful business without decorating? I am making classic homemade recipes from days past....Read More...

Hello everyone!!  New to this site.  I am a cookie crazed women and enjoy the art of cookies.  In the state of Wisconsin we have the strictest of codes regarding the cottage food laws here as far as I know.  I am considering...Read More...

Toying with going from cookie hobbyist to business person? Heck, what really even distinguishes these two states of being?!  Check out Michelle Green's recent post to the blog for some fresh insight on this topic!    (P.S. Michelle...Read More...

Hi everyone,  I recently signed a lease and will be opening a storefront this fall. I am looking for any suggestions or advice on equipment. I'm looking to purchase a convection oven. Any suggestions on brands? Things to look out for?...Read More...

I am in the state of Texas and looking to start my business under the cottage industry law. Would love to hear how to get started - business structure, average price for liability insurance, and any other tips you can offer.   Read More...

Here's a Kickstarter cookie campaign that might interest you. It's all about teaching kids life lessons through starting a cookie business. Just 14 hours left to pledge:...Read More...

Hi, all, I'm redirecting this comment from Ali's Sweet Tooth (Jaci Baynes Harper) from the blog to this forum. It's a great topic. I'll be interested in hearing your comments about Jaci's thoughts on watermarks:  Read More...

I have been asked to set up classes to teach how to decorate cookies. I would like to know about your experiences and suggestions in creating these classes. I have so many questions! I plan to teach lessons for beginners, what  are some suitable...Read More...

When the bug for baking cookies bites it is like no other. Everything around you is a new idea for a cookie, you dream cookies and all you can talk about,read about and think about are cookies; recipes, how to's, tools, following FB joining groups and...Read More...