We were lucky to catch up with Zakiya Ellick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zakiya, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

If I could go back in time, I would still start my business exactly when I did.

I always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but I never imagined it would be in the food industry. For years, I thought my path would be in fashion. The Cookie Dip Company was born from something far simpler — a snack I created for myself. I had no idea that something I enjoyed eating would one day become a brand.

At the time, I was focused on raising my son and caring for my father. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I was mentally ready for yet — and looking back, I can see why. I still had a lot of personal growth ahead of me.

Building this company required me to transform. I had to become more disciplined, more focused, more intentional. I had to elevate my ambition, strengthen my work ethic, and surround myself with people who challenged me to think bigger. I became more conscious of everything I consumed — not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.

Entrepreneurship taught me resilience, patience, leadership, and faith. There were setbacks, sacrifices, and moments of real uncertainty — but every challenge shaped the business owner I am today.

Sometimes I wonder where the company would be if I’d started sooner. But I don’t believe success is only about timing. It’s about preparation. Caring for my family, navigating different careers, and living life gave me the foundation I needed to build something real.

What started as a simple snack became a luxury dessert brand with customers across the country, media recognition, corporate partnerships, and a clear vision for growth. Because of that — I wouldn’t change a thing. The Cookie Dip Company arrived exactly when I was ready to become the woman capable of building it.

Zakiya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a creative entrepreneur, innovator, and the Founder & CEO of The Cookie Dip Company — a Los Angeles-based luxury dessert brand dedicated to elevating the way people experience dessert.

The Cookie Dip Company specializes in premium cookie dips, artisan dessert pairings, catering, and immersive tasting events. Every product is handcrafted in small batches using high-quality ingredients, with an unwavering commitment to exceptional flavor, craftsmanship, and creativity. Every jar is made with intention — because we believe indulgence should always feel special.

What truly sets us apart is that we introduced an entirely new dessert category to the market. Most people know chips and dip. Few have experienced cookies and dip as a premium, elevated concept. We took something familiar and transformed it into something unexpected, memorable, and worth sharing.

I’m most proud of building a brand rooted in quality and creativity. In a world dominated by mass-produced products, The Cookie Dip Company remains committed to craftsmanship, bold flavor innovation, and delivering an experience that feels both nostalgic and luxurious at the same time.

Our customers trust that we don’t cut corners — ever. From ingredient sourcing to flavor development, every decision is made with care. Whether someone is discovering cookie dip for the first time or returning for their favorite flavor, every interaction with our brand is designed to feel special.

Beyond the products, I’m proud of the community we’ve built — through partnerships, events, and experiences that bring people together around something they love. Watching someone take their first bite, smile, and immediately get it — that never gets old.

For anyone discovering us for the first time: The Cookie Dip Company is built on passion, innovation, craftsmanship, and a genuine love for creating moments through dessert. Our mission is simple — help people dip into delight, and elevate every cookie.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots of my life happened when my father passed away. He wasn’t just my dad — he was my business partner and my primary source of support in helping me raise my son. Losing him was devastating on every level. I was grieving the loss of a parent while simultaneously navigating the reality that the person I relied on most was no longer there.

Around the same time, I was facing my own health challenges related to an autoimmune disorder. Together, those experiences forced me to take an honest look at how I was running my business — and my life. I could no longer operate as though I had unlimited energy, unlimited time, or unlimited capacity.

For years, I wore every hat in my business. I believed that because I could do everything, I should do everything. Losing my father taught me otherwise. True leadership isn’t about carrying everything yourself — it’s about building systems, creating support structures, and knowing when to let go.

I began focusing on automation, documentation, and processes that would allow my business to operate more efficiently without me being the single point of failure. I also learned to protect my health, manage stress, and set real boundaries. One of the hardest lessons was releasing people-pleasing — understanding that saying yes to everyone else was often the same as saying no to myself.

That season changed me profoundly. It taught me that sustainability matters just as much as ambition. I stopped building a business that consumed my life and started building one designed to support it. My goal is no longer simply to create a successful company — it’s to create one that can thrive without requiring me to sacrifice my health, my peace, or the people I love.

I would never have chosen those circumstances. But they forced me to grow into a stronger leader, a more strategic entrepreneur, and a woman who understands that resilience isn’t about doing everything alone — it’s about learning how to move forward even when life changes everything.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that being a good entrepreneur meant doing everything myself.

For a long time, I wore every hat in my business and took pride in it. I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness. If I wanted something done right, I had to be the one to do it.

But over time, I was forced to confront a hard truth: doing everything wasn’t strength. It was survival mode dressed up as hustle.

I had to unlearn people-pleasing. I had to unlearn tying my worth to my productivity. I had to unlearn the idea that rest was something I had to earn. And I had to learn that delegation isn’t giving up control — it’s creating the capacity to actually grow.

Today, I lead very differently. I focus on systems, automation, and protecting the work that only I can do as the founder. My goal is to build a business that thrives without requiring me to sacrifice my health, my peace, or the people I love.

That shift — from doing everything to building something — has been one of the most important pivots of my entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecookiedipcomany.com
• Instagram: @_thecookiedipcompany
• Facebook: @thecookiedipcompany
• Linkedin: @thecookiedipcompany
• Youtube: @thecookiedipcompany
• Yelp: @thecookiedipcompany
• Other: TikTok: @thecookiedipcompany