We were lucky to catch up with Cookie Santiago recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cookie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first cake ever was for my birthday, and it was such a huge hit with friends. I made a 2 tier 80s inspired cake. A bit ambitious to make a 2 tier cake my first time ever, but i did it. I had no idea that one cake would bring me business because looking back that cake was a mess!
But, because of that cake friends wanted me to make their cake! My first paid cake was for a friend who’s son was turning 1. I think I may have charged $50 and literally couldn’t believe I was getting paid for one of my cakes. It was a proud moment because it was my first paid order. From there things kind of took off.

Cookie, 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?

Im married to my best friend of 12 years, and dog mom to our American bully Nacho. I specialize in custom cakes and cookies for any occasion. I started baking 12 years ago as a hobby and little did I know it would be a full time business. What sets me apart from other, is that I take pride in baking everything from scratch using the best ingredients and designing a one of a kind cake/cookies for your event. I never say no to a challenging request. From simple to 3D cakes like a sneaker or dinosaur I give it my all.
My most proud moment was competing on Netflix Sugar Rush. Although we didn’t win, the experience was a win in itself.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn to always saying yes and not going with my gut. I’m a people pleaser and it was hard to switch that off. I said yes to every order no matter how busy i was. While working a 9-5. I had no life outside of my work and side hustle. I was getting burnt out quick. I now bake full time and even still there aren’t enough hours. I limit myself on how many orders i take a week. I prep as much as i can head of time and give myself 1 slow week a month to recoup and spend that necessary “me time”. I’ve learned that not every customer is your customer. I’ve gone against my better judgment and taking an order to appease a customer only for it to be a disaster. It’s rare that it happens, my customers are truly the best. But when it does and there’s that gut feeling, I decline the order. I rather avoid a situation and not meet the customer’s expectations.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My work and attention to detail has helped me build my reputation. My customers know that if they provide me a theme that they’re going to get exactly what they want and then some. There are at times hesitation from new customers when I explain to them that I don’t replicate anyone’s work and that I don’t offer sketches. I usually refer them to my social media and website for them to get a feel of what I am capable of creating. From doing that it does give my customers a peace of mind knowing that they’re in good hands. I take pride and put 100% in every order. I wouldn’t give a customer a cake or cookie order if I wasn’t happy with it. At the end of the day that order has my name behind it and so it is extremely important to me that every order is made with love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bakedbycookie.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baked_by_cookie/Hi
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtoCakeandCraftItwithCookie

Image Credits
Branding photo was done by my husband @capturedbyMel (Melvin Santiago)