We recently connected with Frederique Bekale and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Frederique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I am striving to build a legacy of kindness through my passion for baking. My vision is to create a warm, inviting space where friends, family, and colleagues can share in the joy of heartwarming cookies. I live by the philosophy that; to bake for someone is to care for someone. Baking allows me to share in happiness and to comfort in heartbreak. Whether it’s teacher appreciation week, a thank you to a friend for their help, or an “I’m thinking of you” during a difficult time, there is just something about homemade cookies that makes a person feel cared for, appreciated, and loved-It’s the essence of kindness. I consider my ability to convey this message through baking to be my greatest contribution to society. I hope to be remembered for my generosity, resilience, and, of course, my great cookies. More than anything, I believe people will say I was kind.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Frederique, but those who love me call me Freddie. My passion for baking began as a teenager. The best part about attending family gatherings or church events was seeing what was on the sweets table. I vividly remember the excitement I felt approaching the dessert table and being in awe at how beautiful and delicious the treats looked. It was during these years that my eternal love for sweets was cultivated. For most of my adulthood, I baked for fun, celebrating, and comforting my friends and family with sweet creations. However, the defining moment that pushed me into entrepreneurship came in 2019 when I became a mother. While the joy of motherhood was unparalleled, I faced significant challenges, including postpartum depression. During this difficult time, baking became my refuge. The process of mixing ingredients, experimenting with flavors, and witnessing the joy my creations brought to others became a therapeutic outlet for me. Baking every day not only helped me navigate the emotional challenges of new motherhood but also renewed my sense of purpose and joy. This experience made me realize that baking was more than a hobby; it was my calling. I decided to take a leap of faith and transform my passion into a business.

Cookies By Freddie is a woman-owned gourmet cookie catering company dedicated to providing exceptional treats for a wide range of events. We specialize in crafting both classic and deluxe cookies, baked from scratch using only the finest, high-quality ingredients. Each order is freshly baked to ensure the utmost in flavor and quality. Our offerings include an array of delicious assortments and elegantly designed cookie bar displays, making them ideal for corporate events, meetings, and social gatherings of all kinds.

I am most proud of the quality of my cookies. They are in a league of their own.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My biggest pivot in life, and quite frankly in business, came during my divorce. If you’ve been through one, you know that even when it’s for the best, it brings a lot of change—both immediate and ongoing. During this time, I took a step back to deeply reflect on the direction I wanted to take in life and, more importantly, my business. It was then that I made the decision to rebrand and shift my focus towards catering. It wasn’t easy, but meeting Nesha Brown transformed my approach. She helped me understand the importance of focusing on the less glamorous but vital aspects of business. I’m extremely proud of the work I’ve put in over the past two years and excited about what the future holds.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

writer’s block . Sorry!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cookiesbyfreddie.com/
• Instagram: @cookiesbyfreddie
• Facebook: Cookies By Freddie
• Linkedin: Cookies By Freddie

Image Credits

The cookie box and cookie tower : Eye Wander Photo