We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elizabeth Pippin Nelson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth below.
Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.
At Milkin’ Cookie, we are committed to giving back, which is why we donate 10% of our sales to NICUs across the country. We believe in the power of supporting others, and we do so through both financial contributions and providing essential resources to local moms and babies. Whether it’s donating products or offering assistance, we strive to never say no when there’s a need. In response to Hurricane Helene, we donated 100% of our sales during the week immediately following the storm. We also collected additional donations, using those funds along with sales proceeds to purchase supplies tailored specifically for new moms and babies, including manual breast pumps, milk storage bags, ready-to-feed formula, blankets, diapers, bottles, and more.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi there! I’m Liz, a proud mom of two from Charlotte, North Carolina, with a heartfelt passion for supporting moms, especially on their breastfeeding journeys. I’m the owner of Milkin’ Cookie, a company dedicated to providing high-quality, preservative-free lactation support cookies and mixes that help moms boost their milk supply. But Milkin’ Cookie is about so much more than cookies—it’s about empowering moms and supporting them during one of the most beautiful and challenging times in their lives.
My journey into this business was serendipitous and deeply meaningful. After my daughter Clara was born in 2021, I was gifted a bag of Milkin’ Cookie mix. The results were immediate and amazing—I noticed a significant increase in my milk supply. Naturally, I wanted more and went online to reorder, only to find that the company was for sale. The original founder wanted to pass it on to another mom who would continue her mission of supporting breastfeeding mothers. I saw this as a sign. I believed in the products and their potential to make a difference, so I made the leap and purchased the company.
At Milkin’ Cookie, our mission is to provide moms with delicious, nutritious, and effective lactation support products. Our cookies and mixes are preservative-free because I believe every mom deserves access to wholesome, high-quality ingredients. When you choose Milkin’ Cookie, you’re not just buying a product—you’re joining a community of moms who understand, support, and uplift one another.
My passion for helping mothers stems from my own experiences. Breastfeeding can be a rewarding but often challenging journey. I know the pressure, the doubts, and the moments when you just need a little extra support. That’s why I’m so committed to making products that work and taste amazing, giving moms one less thing to worry about.
What sets Milkin’ Cookie apart is the love and care baked into everything we do. From ingredient selection to recipe perfection, every decision is made with moms in mind. I want moms to feel empowered, confident, and supported, whether they’re nursing, pumping, or doing both.
On a personal note, I’m married to my wonderful husband, Red, and together we’re raising two beautiful children, Hunter and Clara. They inspire me daily and are the driving force behind everything I do. My Italian grandmother, Honey, taught me to bake as a child, and her influence is at the heart of Milkin’ Cookie. Her lessons in baking, love, and resilience continue to guide me in creating products that bring joy and comfort to moms everywhere.
Beyond Milkin’ Cookie, I’m a licensed Realtor® in North and South Carolina, helping families find their dream homes. I’ve also traveled to over 15 countries, studied Health Services Management and Public Relations, and believe in the power of community and connection.
To all the moms out there: I see you. I know the hard work, love, and dedication you pour into your families every day. Milkin’ Cookie is here to support you, because you deserve products that are made with care, love, and an understanding of what it means to be a mom
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
At Milkin’ Cookie, we primarily sell our lactation support cookies and mixes directly through our own website (although we can also be found in select brick and mortar boutiques). This decision was intentional, as it allows us to create a direct connection with our customers and provide a personalized shopping experience that reflects our values as a mom-focused business.
Selling on our own site gives us full control over our brand and customer interactions. From the moment someone visits our site, I want them to feel welcomed, supported, and part of a community. We can tell our story authentically, share helpful resources for moms, and ensure a seamless shopping experience tailored to their needs.
Pros of Selling on Our Website:
Brand Ownership: We control how our products are presented and how our story is told, which is crucial for maintaining the personal, mom-to-mom connection that sets us apart.
Direct Relationships: By selling directly, we can engage with customers through email, social media, and more. This helps us build long-term relationships and respond directly to feedback.
Flexibility: We have the freedom to offer promotions, bundles, or new products without being bound by third-party platform rules.
Lower Fees: Platforms like Amazon or Etsy charge fees that can add up quickly. By managing our own site, we can reinvest those savings into improving our products and services.
Cons of Selling on Our Website:
Traffic Generation: Driving traffic to a standalone site can be challenging and requires ongoing investment in marketing efforts like social media, email campaigns, and SEO.
Trust Building: New customers may feel more comfortable purchasing from well-known platforms like Amazon or Etsy, so we work hard to build trust through reviews, testimonials, and excellent customer service.
Tech and Maintenance: Managing our website requires keeping up with technical updates, security, and user experience improvements, which can be time-consuming.
Selling on Other Platforms:
While our primary focus is on our own site, we are open to exploring platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or Cratejoy to reach new audiences who may not have found us otherwise. Each platform has its strengths: Amazon offers visibility and Prime shipping, Etsy appeals to buyers looking for handmade products, and Cratejoy works well for subscription-based offerings.
However, selling on these platforms means giving up some control over branding and potentially higher fees. That’s why, for now, our priority remains building Milkin’ Cookie as a destination where moms feel seen, heard, and supported directly.
Ultimately, the choice to sell on our own site reflects our mission to connect with moms on a deeper level and provide them with a trusted resource for high-quality, delicious lactation support products.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Yes, my side hustle absolutely turned into my full-time business! It’s been an incredible journey of growth, passion, and commitment, and I’m so proud to now dedicate myself entirely to Milkin’ Cookie, a company I’m deeply passionate about.
After giving birth to my daughter Clara in 2021, I was gifted a bag of lactation cookie mix. The results were immediate—I saw a significant boost in my milk supply and fell in love with the product. Naturally, I wanted more and went online to reorder. That’s when I discovered the company wasn’t just discontinuing products—it was for sale.
At the time, I was juggling motherhood, my career as a licensed Realtor®, and the demands of everyday life. Despite the chaos, something about this opportunity resonated deeply with me. The company’s mission aligned perfectly with my passion for helping moms, and I saw this as more than a business—it was a calling.
I took a chance, purchased the company, and began learning everything I could about running a product-based business. Transitioning from a service-based career to managing a brand with tangible products was a big change, but I knew I was up for the challenge.
Key Milestones in Scaling Milkin’ Cookie:
– Rebranding and Relaunching: One of my first tasks was to breathe new life into the brand while staying true to its roots. I focused on storytelling—sharing my journey as a mom and my commitment to helping other moms. This helped build a loyal community around Milkin’ Cookie.
– Expanding Product Offerings: I refined the original recipes and introduced more options to cater to moms with varying tastes and needs, all while maintaining our commitment to high-quality, preservative-free ingredients.
– Building a Direct-to-Consumer Website: Shifting to an e-commerce model was a big milestone. It allowed me to connect directly with customers, share my story authentically, and provide a personalized shopping experience.
– Growing Brand Awareness: Leveraging social media, partnerships with mom influencers, and positive word-of-mouth helped spread the word about Milkin’ Cookie.
– Scaling Operations: As demand grew, I focused on improving production efficiency while maintaining the handmade, high-quality approach that moms loved.
There were definitely challenges—learning how to scale production while keeping everything preservative-free, managing marketing and logistics as a one-woman show at first, and balancing it all with being a mom. But every challenge taught me something new and strengthened my resolve to keep pushing forward.
Milkin’ Cookie is now my full-time focus, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my products are helping moms feel supported and confident in their breastfeeding journeys. My goal is to continue growing the business, expanding our product line, and reaching more moms who need that extra boost.
This side hustle turned full-time business has been a labor of love, and I’m so grateful for the community of moms who inspire and support me every day. Their stories remind me why I do what I do, and they keep me motivated to dream bigger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milkincookie.com
- Instagram: @TheMilkinCookie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilkinCookie
