We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leah McGarry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I took a beginner class at a local shop when I first started decorating cookies, but mostly I learned by watching tutorials online. At the time it was mostly blogs, but now instagram reels are my best learning resource. I’ve also taken online classes for lettering and color theory, which were fascinating and hugely helpful. There are so many aspects of cookie decorating to learn and master.

The only way to truly improve is PRACTICE – over and over again. I have been decorating cookies for over a decade now, and I learn something new with each set. The most essential skills are patience, familiarity with icing consistencies, and a steady hand. The biggest recommendation I have for anyone interested in truly pursuing this as a hobby or side hustle is to invest in a projector. Not only does it allow you to recreate exact designs, but it will save time and thereby help to prevent craters in your icing.

Leah, 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?

A friend brought decorated cookies to my own bachelorette party over 10 years ago. I thought they were so cute and wanted to learn how to do it myself. At the time I was not enjoying my full-time job, so making cookies for friends and family became an excellent creative outlet. Cookies evolved with me – I started out doing bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and wedding favors, and then it became baby showers and kids’ birthday parties as we entered a new phase of life. Decorating cookies is a very time-consuming hobby, so I wasn’t able to do it very often once I had kids of my own, even when I was no longer working. Then during the pandemic and when my kids got a little older, I realized I had the time to branch out. That, plus a local interest in DIY cookie kits, prompted me to create an instagram page to share my custom cookies and generate new business.

I think what sets me apart from others is the customer experience and thoughtfulness of design. I spend a lot of time planning out sets before a single ingredient comes out, and I excel at curating designs to match the event vibe. I especially love when I can use exact elements from a customer’s invitation.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a stay at home mom for over 8 years, I love having a passion project that is all my own. Sure my kids are also fans, but my cookie business is all me. I’m a one-woman operation, which includes everything from design, baking, mixing icing colors, photography, packaging, social media, customer correspondence and marketing. The amount of effort and range of themes makes every day different and interesting. One day I might be working on a Pokemon set, and the next could be a Mamma Mia bachelorette party. My funniest request was probably a set of vasectomy cookies! Cookies are so universally loved that the possibilities and techniques are just about endless.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My instagram page showcases a wide variety of my work, so at first glance a prospective customer knows I have a lot of experience and range. The sheer number of cookie sets I have created lends credibility to my business. Word of mouth has also been a driving force behind my reputation. I frequently have people tell me that not only do my cookies look beautiful, but they also taste delicious, which isn’t always the case. I love being a small part of people’s special events and hope anyone that pursues this hobby gets as much enjoyment from it as I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookiesbyleahatx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089190776820
• Other: cookiesbyleahatx@gmail.com