Elizabeth (Liz) Johnson started baking chocolate chocolate chip cookies during the pandemic, initially with mixed results. After getting a hand mixer, she was able to perfect the recipe and her family and friends loved the cookies. Her family and friends encouraged her to start selling the cookies, which she began doing in September 2020.
The Cookie Monstah Instagram page has been a great place to sell cookies, which gained over 200 followers within 2 months. She has a steady stream of loyal customers ordering cookies, including catering orders for a wedding, a birthday party, and a dental practice. However, she has found it challenging to consistently grow her audience and sales, as cookie sales tend to be seasonal.
Friends and followers suggested that Elizabeth look into networking groups like BNI (Business Network International) to connect with potential business customers. Offering constructive guidance, Alicia Alexander offered to share Elizabeth’s business with her network, including a sales coach in Chicago who may be interested in the cookies. Alicia encouraged Elizabeth to consider more active marketing, but Elizabeth expressed hesitation about making direct sales calls due to not having a vendor license or a commercial kitchen.
Elizabeth shared that while she has been encouraged to open a bakery, her passion is in the cookie baking itself, not necessarily running a large commercial operation. She prefers to keep it as a small business or hobby for the immediate future, focusing on quality and creativity rather than rapid growth. She discussed her long-term vision of potentially opening a coffee shop that would feature her cookies.
Alicia offered to place an order. Elizabeth’s cookies will be featured in Shop in RI Magazine. Alicia encouraged Elizabeth by offering to share her business with her sales coach and other contacts who may be interested. On the topic of scaling the business, Elizabeth shared her challenges of growing and developing the business, and further, given Elizabeth’s current constraints, Elizabeth agreed to stay in touch about potential opportunities.
To contact Elizabeth (Liz) Johnson:
Email: PVDcookiemonstah@gmail.com
Instagram: PVDCookieMonstah
