We recently connected with Ziuri Allen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ziuri, thanks for joining us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
As a newly founded cookie bakery, I was excited to take my first steps in to the “real world” and participate in my first farmer’s market. I thoroughly researched farmer’s markets, and visited a local market that I felt really good about participating in. I applied, got accepted and handled all of the appropriate paperwork, excited to attend my first market date – then I received an email. I was informed by the market manager that another cookie vendor was very upset that I would be joining the market and “asked” if I would change my schedule to accommodate them, as they did not want to be at the market on the same days that I would be there. Then I received another email stating I could keep my original dates but I could not sale the same cookies as them, per their request. This was all a very abrupt change of mood for me; I went from an anxious excitement to a slight uncomfortably.
Since I was new to all o this, I agreed to limit my menu and remove two flavor options. This ended up being great for me because as a home baker making “less” than I anticipated worked better for my schedule, and allowed me to focus on my speciality cookies. The market season ended and it was an overall good experience. However, I joined the market in the middle of its fall season so I wanted to join the winter season from start to finish and see how I faired doing a full on farmer’s market. This is where it gets crazy.
I handled all of my paper work again for the new season ready to start my first date – then I received a voicemail. The market manager called to inform me of the other cookie vendors complaints and frustrations. They claimed that I 1) sold cookies that I said I would not sell during the previous market season. 2) Saw my social media post about my updated menu for the new market season and said that I cannot sale gluten free options because they sell gluten free options.
To say that I was pissed is an understatement. I agreed to their first set of “rules” because I wanted to keep the peace, and making less flavor options was better for me in the end. But this again? Firstly, how dare they say I sold cookie flavors I “was not supposed to sell” at a previous market? That was a lie. I politely reminded manager that she recorded me for social media and saw I had the exact same cookies as I always did. So these people lying, or perhaps stalking me and getting the wrong information. Secondly, they were clearly stalking me because I made one social media post about offering gluten free cookies and they immediately called her to complain.
They do not own basic cookie flavors. They do not own gluten free cookies. It was all so bizarre. Ever heard of the free market? If you cannot handle competition, maybe don’t have a business. I blocked that vendor from my social media and ignored them with a viciousness; it is not ok to try bully someone you should be in community with. I’m very nice and accommodating, but not a pushover. I did not pacify their tantrums this time, but I was very uncomfortable with the situation. I went through with attending the market for the season, because they were not going to run me away, but it was awkward. The market manager agreed with my sentiments and tried to alleviate the situation by checking in on my comfort levels, but the damage was done.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Ziuri, and I am the owner of Zee’s Cookie Box, a home-based cookie bakery. I started this journey in the midst of a layoff as a way to pass the time by making something I love – cookies! Being out of work, I soon realized the importance of creating my own lane and not being solely dependent on the whims of the corporate world and thats how Zee’s Cookie Box was born. In my bakery I specialize in making original, handcrafted, cookies with a nostalgic twist. I take taste memories from my childhood and turn those flavors in to cookies. They are fun, delicious and the perfect way to create new memories. With this idea in mind, I specifically wanted to have Zee’s Cookie Box be a staple for special occasions – birthdays, weddings, community events, gifting.
That is what Zee’s Cookie Box is about, creating memories with those around you. We are wired to create memories around food – it being something sweet, like a cookie, is an extra treat!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn what my idea of support looks like for my business. I mistakenly equated support I receive on a personal level, from friends and family, as the same support I’d receive on a professional level.
In starting Zee’s Cookie Box I thought all of my family and community would be most first and most loyal customers. That was not always the case. I learned that strangers would be my most consistent customers and that is business – that makes sense.
Support from family and friends might be purchase, but more often than not, it might be word of mouth promotion (advertising), sharing social media posts (engagement), or physically showing up to events. Sometimes it’s one or the other, sometimes it’s all of the above. As a business owner, I wanted them to do all of the above all the time, and that’s not realistic. I had to adjust to this and understand that simply speaking of my business to another person *is* support. What I accept in my personal life as support, does not equate to the support I will receive in my business and that was a very important lesson to learn.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I realized I needed to revamp my business plan pretty early on. What started as a hobby of making cookies and sharing them, turned in to people asking for orders pretty quickly. I work full time and aimed at having a business on the side that could grow. Taking a bunch of daily small orders, while working 40 hours a week did not make sense and was not sustainable. When I originally sat down and worked at creating a business plan, I wanted Zee’s Cookie Box to be the bakery people went to for their special events. I did not follow my own original idea, and it did not work for me. I needed the structure having orders ahead of time. While my customers can surely order a small batch of cookies, the essence of Zee’s Cookie Box is to have cookies to share. I specialize in special occasions and I had to remember that, pivot back to my original plan, and make that plan a reality for the success of my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zeescookiebox.com
- Instagram: @zeescookiebox
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeescookiebox
