Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Stripling
Hi Trevor, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got my start working at and managing bakeries and restaurants, I always had a love for baking and have been making and selling baked good for friends and family ever since I was ten years old. When I started my company I decided I wanted to offer a unique product that provided a unique culinary experience I found that gourmet cookies was a niche that was perfect and tailored to exactly what I was on a mission to offer. by focusing on my expertise and a chef and baker I went though a recipe and development process that resulted in the perfect cookie, with this recipe in hand I set out for my first farmers market and sold out, I then opened pop-up shops, started selling in stores, I partnered with local chefs to create sweet and savory dishes with Nothing Vanilla Cookies as the star. I’ve been featured on multiple television programs and have opened a retail as well as online store so people can order as many boxes as they want no matter where they live. I developed recipes with dietary restrictions starting making cookies for my mom without any gluten. I also created a sugar free cookie for diabetic customers, and now all of the cookies I make are plant based and animal product free for the vegan in your life. With Nothing Vanilla each recipe is inspired by global flavor, created with fresh seasonal ingredients. less sugar than traditional cookies and an amazing chef crafted taste. m my life as a queer person and business owner, this has led to exciting flavors such as Cinnamon Churro and Cilantro Lime White Chocolate, and Mexican Hot Chocolate. I love to talk about my entrepreneurial journey and sharing with experiences with anyone who will listen. I can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and my website nothingvanillacookies.com
My future plans include dessert catering, private chef work, subscription boxes, teaching workshops and growing my reach to expand to new areas and ventures
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I recently quit my fulltime job to pursue my dream of having a thriving queer owned bakery space and offer products to marginalized communities. A big struggle has been finding supportive queer friendly businesses to partner with, I am always looking for wonderful wholesale partners that fit with my company values and mission.
I have faced a lot of challenges in life, I was kicked out of my house at 18 for being an out and proud queer individual, I’ve been told “no” more times than I can count, I’ve gone though many variations of my tried and true cookie dough recipe. I’ve had to find a professional kitchen space as my business grew and I was no longer able to bake everything out of my home oven. I haven’t given up and have become stronger because of the adversely faced. Learning to be my own boss was a learning experience when there was no one to hold me accountable for when I fail or succeed, I realized I have to be my own boss and get disciplined. I’ve had to work two-three jobs at a time to stay afloat when my business was first finding its footing, I had had to overcome a lot of fear and hesitation to pursue what I know will pay off in the long run. Everyone wants to start a business few people realize what that means, no off days, no sick days, you are the CEO, creative director, graphic designer, sales associate, and so much more, I have had many sleepless nights and long days selling outside in the searing heat and pouring rain. I truly do find owning and operating my business very rewarding, and I love seeing the joy and nostalgia I bring to my customers faces. I am entirely self taught, I have learned baking, graphic design, marketing, sales, search engine optimization, social media optimization, website design, leadership, and storytelling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love shopping for foods that I can base a dish around that I haven’t tried and experiencing them for the first time. Mushrooms are one of my favorite things to cook they are so alien compared to most fruits and vegetables and they can be used as a meat substitute. One of my favorite mushroom dishes is a seared scallop using the mushroom stems as a shellfish substitute. I also enjoy making sweet dishes with complexity, one note sweetness is boring and people shouldn’t eat boring food. I find when food is memorable and well made it can leave a lasting impact on those around me.
So many things inspire me in the kitchen, I love using new ingredients with tested methods to create a unique experience every time I step behind a stove. recently I’ve been playing with different fusion cuisine and making curries, soups, and raw fish preparations like poke bowls and sashimi. I love to tell a story with food each bite a new chapter in the dish.
What are your plans for the future?
I am so excited for the future, big things are in store for me, I am expanding my business to offer private chef services, subscription bake at home kits so beginner bakers can bake with the confidence and skill as someone who has been baking as long as I have. I plan on releasing an autobiographical cookbook, and am launching a cookie decorating workshop to give those that are eager to learn the craft an opportunity to do so. In the near future I’d like to partner with more brands and companies to grow my reach and meet awesome people along the way. The skies the limit with what my humble beginnings will turn into and I know with a lot of hard work and dedication I can reach any goal I create for myself.
Pricing:
- Half Dozen Cookies $25
- Full Dozen Cookies $48
- Decorated Cookies Starting At $8 each
- Cookie Decorating Workshop $60-$100 per class
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nothingvanillacookies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nothingvanilla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nothingvanillacookies/
