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

Brittney , appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

At NoLa Cookie Co., our journey to success has been as rich and diverse as the flavors we bake into each of our cookies. Like the intricate patterns of New Orleans’ streets, our path hasn’t been a straight line. It’s been filled with as many twists and turns as a Mardi Gras parade, teaching us valuable lessons at every corner.

Success, to me, is much like baking. It’s about blending the right ingredients – passion, purpose, and perseverance – with a dash of creativity and a whole lot of heart. It’s about savoring the process, from mixing the dough to seeing someone’s eyes light up with that first bite. Success isn’t just in the outcome; it’s in the love and effort poured into every step.

One anecdote that really encapsulates our view on success happened early in our journey. We were experimenting with a new cookie flavor, aiming to capture the essence of a New Orleans classic dish. Batch after batch, we couldn’t get it right. The flavor was off, the texture wasn’t what we wanted, and doubt started to creep in. It was a low point, a real test of our resolve.

But, instead of giving up, we leaned into the process. We researched more, experimented more, and reached out to the community for feedback. With each failed batch, we learned something new about baking, about our business, and about ourselves. And then, one day, we nailed it. The flavor was perfect, the texture was divine, and our customers loved it. That experience taught us that success is not just about the destination; it’s about growing through the challenges and staying true to your vision and values.

Success at NoLa Cookie Co. means creating a product that brings joy to our community, honoring the rich culinary heritage of New Orleans, and building a business that supports our family and our city. It’s about resilience in the face of setbacks, and the sweet reward of achieving something you’ve worked so hard for.

It takes determination to keep going when things get tough, confidence to trust in your unique vision, empathy to connect with your customers and community, grit to push through the inevitable challenges, and resilience to bounce back stronger every time.

In essence, success is baking love into every cookie and seeing that love reflected in the smiles of those who taste them. It’s a journey that’s as rewarding as it is challenging, and absolutely worth every step.

Brittney , 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?

Hey y’all, I’m Brittney Hawkins-Dobard, the heart and soul behind NoLa Cookie Co., your go-to spot for a taste of New Orleans in every bite. Born and bred in the vibrant city of New Orleans, my journey into the world of gourmet baking began in the most natural way possible – through a love for food, family, and the rich culinary traditions of my hometown.

Growing up, my kitchen was a magical place where flavors danced and stories were told through every dish. It was here, under the watchful eyes of my grandmother, that I first fell in love with baking. She taught me that food wasn’t just about nourishment; it was about love, celebration, and community. These lessons stayed with me, and even as I ventured into the world as an Insurance Agent, my heart remained tied to the oven.

The turning point came when I started baking cookies as treats for my clients. The joy those little batches of cookies brought people was undeniable, and before I knew it, what started as a hobby blossomed into NoLa Cookie Co. in 2019, a family-operated bakery dedicated to spreading the unique joy and flavors of New Orleans through gourmet cookies, brownies, pralines, bundt cakes, and more.

What Sets Us Apart:
At NoLa Cookie Co., we believe in the power of great food to bring people together. Our products are more than just treats; they’re an experience – a way to share the love and spirit of New Orleans with the world. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, our dedication to capturing the essence of New Orleans in every product, and our passion for creating moments of joy for our customers. Being a family-operated business, every cookie we bake is infused with love and care, ensuring that you’re not just getting a cookie but a piece of our family’s tradition and love.

Solving Problems:
We understand the challenge of finding the perfect gift, the struggle to make celebrations feel special, and the constant search for genuine, delicious treats. That’s where we come in. Whether it’s a heartfelt gift, a party favor, or just a personal indulgence, our gourmet offerings provide a solution that’s both satisfying and memorable.

Pride and Passion:
What am I most proud of? It’s seeing the impact our cookies have – the smiles, the shared moments, and the connections they foster. It’s knowing that we’re not just selling cookies; we’re spreading happiness, one delicious bite at a time.

To Our Potential Clients, Followers, and Fans:
NoLa Cookie Co. is more than a bakery – it’s a celebration of New Orleans, a tribute to the joy of baking, and a community that welcomes everyone with open arms and a warm cookie. We invite you to join us on this delicious journey, to taste the magic for yourself, and to be a part of our growing family.

So, whether you’re here for the cookies or the culture, know that at NoLa Cookie Co., you’re always in for something special. As a family-operated business, we promise to treat you like one of our own. Welcome to the family, y’all. Let’s make life a little sweeter together.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

The story of NoLa Cookie Co. didn’t start in a grand bakery or as a well-orchestrated business plan, but from my kitchen, where baking was less about the process and more about the love stitched into every recipe passed down through generations. Initially, as an Insurance Agent, baking cookies for my clients was just a small token of gratitude. Little did I know, this small gesture would set the foundation for a future I had never imagined.

As the pandemic took hold, my world, like many others, was filled with uncertainty. Yet, it was during these times that NoLa Cookie Co. found unexpected growth. Turning to platforms like UberEats and DoorDash, I watched in amazement as demand surged. The local news feature that followed was a turning point. A viewer, moved by our story, offered us a lease for a commercial kitchen space—a gesture that propelled my business into its next chapter.

From the official establishment of NoLa Cookie Co. as an LLC in February 2019, we’ve experienced growth I could only dream of. Our annual sales skyrocketed from $40k to peaks of $351k, each number representing a step further in our journey. Expanding into a commercial kitchen in 2020 marked our transition from a home-based hobby to a burgeoning business.

At the heart of NoLa Cookie Co. is something more profound than cookies—my family. My husband, my rock and the Master of Operations, joined me full-time in 2020, pouring his soul into our business. My daughter, the baker’s apprentice, and my brother, TJ, the handoff hero, have been instrumental in weaving the fabric of our family business. Their involvement has not only enriched our company but has also been the driving force behind our success.

Looking ahead, my dreams for NoLa Cookie Co. are as big as the flavors we create. From envisioning a drive-thru shipping container concept boutique cookie café to dreaming up a cookie mobile, my aim is to share the warmth of our cookies at parties, festivals, and beyond.

NoLa Cookie Co.’s story is more than a tale of business growth; it’s a narrative of passion, resilience, and the magic of family, set against the backdrop of New Orleans’ rich culinary heritage. It’s a testament to the power of following your dreams, no matter where they may lead you.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

As the proud owner of NoLa Cookie Co., a bakery that’s as much about sharing the joy and flavors of New Orleans as it is about baking cookies, our venture into e-commerce has been a deliberate and thoughtful journey. Currently, we operate exclusively through our website for direct orders, in addition to partnering with UberEats and DoorDash for local deliveries. This approach allows us to maintain a direct line of communication with our customers, ensuring that every order meets our high standards of quality and care.

Our decision to sell through our website and food delivery apps was driven by a desire to keep the experience personal and tailored. We’ve worked hard to build a robust online presence, and I’m proud to say that we rank quite high in Google search results for gourmet cookies in our area. This visibility has been crucial for connecting with our customers and growing our brand.

Selling through our own site allows us to engage directly with our customers, offering a personalized service that reflects the warmth of our family-operated business.
Brand Control: We have full control over our branding and customer experience, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects the essence of NoLa Cookie Co.

By operating our e-commerce platform, we retain valuable customer data that helps us understand buying patterns, preferences, and how to improve our offerings.

While UberEats and DoorDash extend our local delivery capabilities, not utilizing platforms like Amazon or Etsy may limit our exposure to a wider national audience.
Resource Intensive: Managing our own e-commerce site requires significant time and resources, from updating product listings to handling customer inquiries and ensuring the website’s security.

As we continue to grow, we’re open to exploring additional platforms like Amazon, Shopify, or Etsy. These could offer new opportunities to expand our reach and introduce our gourmet cookies to more people across the country. However, any expansion will be carefully considered to ensure it aligns with our brand values and commitment to quality.

In conclusion, our choice to focus on our website and partnerships with UberEats and DoorDash has been a reflection of our dedication to providing a deeply personal and high-quality experience to our customers. As NoLa Cookie Co. evolves, we remain committed to exploring new avenues that will allow us to share the joy of New Orleans’ flavors with an even broader audience, without compromising the heart of what makes our bakery special.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nolacookieco.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/nolacookieco
• Other: [email protected]