Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brennan Bowen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Brennan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I was 19 years old, I had the privilege of spending a year abroad at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City. That time was transformative. It opened my eyes to new cultures, new people, and a new appreciation for the ways food connects us all. Since then, I’ve carried a special place in my heart for Mexico City, for Latin America, and for the beauty of sharing a meal—or dessert—with others.

After graduating from college, I moved to Shanghai for what I thought would be a two-month adventure. That short trip turned into five incredible years teaching English, immersing myself in a new culture, and learning more about the world and myself than I ever could have imagined.

In 2021, I returned to the United States and continued my work in education, taking a job at a low-income high school in East Oakland. For two years, I supported the Class of 2023 through their junior and senior years, helping them navigate challenges and celebrating their achievements as they prepared for graduation and life after high school.

Then, in June 2023, shortly after my students turned their tassels, I faced a challenge that so many of us know all too well: I was laid off. In that moment, I had a choice to make.

Now, I’m not going to say it was an easy choice. Teaching had been a rewarding career, but I knew in my heart it wasn’t my calling. The hours were long, the commute even longer—three hours every day—and the emotional labor of working in a high-need school took its toll. It was hard, important work. But it was also clear that this was my chance to take a leap, to try something new, to bet on myself.

I was turning thirty that year and took some time to reflect. I slowed down, took walks through Golden Gate Park, spent afternoons on the beaches of San Francisco, and reconnected with the city I love. And then, in August, I went on a trip to Mexico City with my siblings—the first one we’d taken together my time studying in Mexico.

While we were there, we took a churro-making class. And let me tell you, something clicked. Halfway through that class, I realized: This is it. This is what I needed to be doing back home. Food has a unique way of bringing people together. It transcends differences. It builds connections. And I knew I wanted to create that kind of experience in San Francisco.

When I got back, I got to work. I didn’t have a business degree. I didn’t have a mentor showing me the ropes. What I had was determination—and Google. In September 2023, I launched my first cookie-baking workshop. And I have to say, I was nervous. But I leaned into what I knew: teaching. I made the workshops fun, interactive, and something people wouldn’t forget.

Originally, I thought most of my participants would be tourists. But I was wrong. Many of them have been locals—couples on dates, friends celebrating birthdays, coworkers building stronger teams. It has been humbling to see people from all walks of life coming together, baking, and sharing laughter.

Before long, folks started asking: When can we buy your cookies? At first, I thought they were just being polite. But as more and more people asked, I realized there was an opportunity here. So, I expanded. I applied for a Cottage Food Operation license, started selling at farmers’ markets and pop-ups, and Golden Gate Cookie Co. grew into something I could be proud of.

Golden Gate Cookie Co. to me is a way to share the values I believe in—community, connection, and a little sweetness in a sometimes bitter world.

It’s been a journey, and there’s so much more to come. But I wouldn’t trade this path for anything. Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like seeing someone take a bite of a warm cookie you helped them bake and knowing you’ve brought a little bit of joy to their life.

Brennan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I come from a long line of bakers—three generations, to be exact. My grandma was a baker, my mom is a baker, and I’m proud to carry on that tradition. Growing up, my mom ran a wedding cake business in Sacramento. She had one special rule: whenever she made a mistake she couldn’t fix, my brother and I got to eat as much of the cake as we wanted. We also spent a lot of time in the kitchen, mixing, stirring, cleaning, and learning all the steps it takes to be a baker.

That love for baking carried into my adulthood. Even when I lived abroad in Mexico and China, I baked for friends to share a piece of American culture. In my experience, many people outside the U.S. think American food is just hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza. I wanted to show them that our desserts—beyond just apple pie—can be rich, diverse, and downright delicious. Sharing food became my way of connecting with others, breaking down cultural barriers, and opening minds to new experiences.

In 2022, my family proved that baking runs deep in our DNA. My mom, brother, sister, and I all participated in a pumpkin cheesecake bake-off during Thanksgiving. Each of us made our best version, and then we sat around, eating, laughing, and good-naturedly critiquing each other’s work. One thing I always say is that Thanksgiving at our house is top-notch.

Now, I bring that same passion for baking and connection to my workshops. It’s been amazing to meet people from all corners of the world—India, Iran, Mexico, the Netherlands, Canada, and so many other places. For a few hours, we get to set aside our cultural differences and come together over a shared love of dessert, chocolate chip cookies, and the universal joy of baking.

In recent months, I’ve expanded my workshops to include corporate clients, offering a unique and interactive way for teams to bond and build connections. Baking together in a hands-on environment allows colleagues to step away from the daily grind and engage in something creative and collaborative. It’s amazing to watch a group of coworkers laughing, sharing tips, and cheering each other on as they bake their perfect batch of cookies. These workshops have become popular for team-building events, and I’ve had the privilege of working with companies of all sizes to create memorable experiences that not only strengthen their teams but also leave everyone with delicious cookies to enjoy.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

In 2023, I had the I joined the San Francisco LGBTQ Center’s new entrepreneurship program, where I met an incredible group of aspiring business owners. One of my classmates was starting a screen printing business, and over time, we became friends. We’d often check in with each other about how our businesses were going, sharing ideas and brainstorming ways to stand out in a competitive market.

A few months ago, I stopped by her screen printing shop in the Castro. As we chatted, she shared a quirky marketing idea she’d seen on Instagram: a poster that read, “I can’t believe what you did to me. I’m going to tell everyone!” with a QR code leading to the creator’s business page. The absurdity and humor of it struck me immediately—it was playful, over-the-top, and exactly the kind of “camp” strategy that makes people stop and take notice.

I decided to run with the idea and see how far a little drama could take me. Within a few days, I had printed over 300 posters at the public library, each one reading: “Brennan, I can’t believe what you did to me. I’m going to tell EVERYONE!” along with a QR code taking people to my website. Armed with tape and a bit of mischievous enthusiasm, I placed the posters all over San Francisco—on community boards, light poles, and coffee shop windows.

Before this, my website was getting around 10 to 15 visits per day—a modest but steady number. But within three days of posting these around the city, my daily website views skyrocketed to over 225. It was incredible to see how a little creativity and humor could capture people’s attention so effectively. Even better, several people booked workshops and told me they’d done so because they saw the poster, scanned the QR code, and couldn’t stop laughing.

That experience taught me the power of taking risks in marketing and embracing what feels authentically me. Sometimes, it’s the bold, unexpected ideas—the ones that make people stop in their tracks—that create the most impact. And in this case, a bit of drama and humor turned out to be exactly what I needed to spread the word about Golden Gate Cookie Co.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

To be honest, before starting Golden Gate Cookie Co., I didn’t have much experience with social media. My only accounts were Facebook and WeChat, and even those I used sparingly. I’ve always tried to be mindful of how much time I spend on screens, so I avoided platforms like Instagram and TikTok for years. But when I started my business, it became clear that having a social media presence wasn’t optional—it was an absolute must.

Reluctantly, I downloaded Instagram and started exploring. I learned the basics: how to post stories, what carousels were, how reels worked, and all the features the platform offered. It felt overwhelming at first, but with time—and a lot of trial and error—I started to get the hang of it.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned about building an audience is that consistency matters. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. Regular posting has been key to growing my engagement, whether that’s likes on my content, comments on reels, or people sliding into my DMs to order cookies. The algorithm favors creators who show up consistently, and so do followers.

Another important lesson is that perfection isn’t necessary. In fact, it more often than not holds you back. After working in education for so many years, I truly believe that mistakes are how we grow, and social media is no different. Early on, I focused on stories and static posts, but over time, I pushed myself to try new formats like reels, even though I had close to no video editing experience.

I’ll never forget the first time I attempted a voiceover. The idea came to me while on a run through Golden Gate Park, and even though I had no idea how to make one, I decided to give it a shot. I went home, experimented, and posted the reel almost immediately. Was it the most polished or creative video on Instagram? Not even close. But it taught me an important lesson: staying open to new skills and ideas is crucial.

For anyone just starting out on social media, my advice is simple: show up consistently, embrace imperfection, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s also a space where you can have fun and let your personality shine. And who knows? You might just inspire someone to start a journey of their own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goldengatecookieco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldengatecookieco/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/golden-gate-cookie-co/

Image Credits

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