Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Reynolds
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our (myself and my husband, Kyle) story began with a shared dream of creating something truly our own—a business we could grow, shape, and pour our hearts into without being bound by the limitations of a franchise. Initially, we considered franchising with a brand like Crumbl, but the idea of answering to someone else and following a strict set of rules didn’t feel right for us. We knew we could create something better, something more personal and unique.
That’s when the concept for The Cookie Bar was born. We didn’t want to be just another cookie shop. We wanted to build a place where creativity knows no bounds, where customers aren’t limited by the offerings of the day. Instead, they can create their dream cookie from scratch. At The Cookie Bar, the customer becomes the baker. They choose everything—from the warm, flavorful cookie base to the frosting, toppings, and drizzles. Of course, for those who prefer simplicity, we offer our signature creations as well.
Neither of us has a formal background in baking. What we do have is a love of sweets and a reputation for being the dessert bringers at every family function. No matter how often we offered to bring a side dish, dessert was always what people requested. That love for creating sweet treats, paired with our entrepreneurial spirit, led us to this journey.
We’re also proud to be veterans. The values we learned during our service—dedication, resilience, and teamwork—have been instrumental in building The Cookie Bar from the ground up. This bakery is the result of three years of hard work, planning, and a vision to do things differently. Everything we serve is made fresh in-house, from our caramel and hot fudge to the cookies themselves, using all-natural ingredients. During the summer, we even add frozen custard to the mix!
Looking ahead, our mission is to continue bringing the customer into the heart of the experience. The customer is the baker, and we’re here to bring their creations to life. In the next few years, we hope to expand by opening additional locations and eventually moving into franchising. Our goal is to make it possible for more people to experience the joy of creating their own cookie masterpiece.
This journey has been about more than just cookies; it’s been about building a community, fostering creativity, and sharing our passion for sweets with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but the challenges have shaped who we are as business owners and as a company. Starting a business from scratch with no formal background in baking came with a steep learning curve. From perfecting recipes to understanding the ins and outs of running a bakery, there were a lot of hurdles to overcome and we are still learning every day.
One of the biggest challenges was funding. We’re everyday people—we don’t have a massive inheritance or trust fund to rely on. Everything we’ve built has come from our savings. This business represents our dream, and we’ve gone all in to make it a reality. The financial commitment was daunting, but we believed in what we were creating and decided to take the leap.
Another struggle was refining our concept. While we knew we wanted to create a build-your-own cookie experience, it took time to figure out the logistics—how to make the process seamless for customers, ensure everything was fresh, and still provide endless customization options. Balancing creativity with practicality was a challenge, but it was worth it to see our vision come to life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At The Cookie Bar, we specialize in creating an interactive, customizable cookie experience that’s unlike anything else. Our concept revolves around giving customers the freedom to be the baker. Through our build-your-own cookie bar, they can choose everything from the warm cookie base to the frosting, toppings, and drizzles.
In addition to our in-store creations, we also offer catering options to accommodate any event. Whether you need large cookies or our slightly smaller 2.5-ounce cookies (perfectly portioned for one person), we can handle bulk orders of any size. For those who want to enjoy freshly baked cookies at home, we offer customizable take-and-bake cookie dough, giving you the opportunity to create your favorite flavors anytime.
We’re known for our commitment to flavor, freshness, and quality. Everything is made in-house using all-natural ingredients—including our caramel, hot fudge, and frostings. Our cookies are baked fresh throughout the day to ensure every bite is as delicious as it can be. In the summer, we take it up a notch by offering frozen custard to create custom cookie sundaes.
What sets us apart is our focus on flavorful cookies, creativity, and customer involvement. Most bakeries offer pre-set options, but at The Cookie Bar, the experience is all about creating something personal and unique.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, especially knowing that my husband and I have poured our hearts into this while also balancing our other responsibilities. Outside of the bakery, I work full-time as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Pediatric ICU. My work there is intense but deeply rewarding, and it’s taught me the importance of creating spaces of joy—like The Cookie Bar—where people can connect, create, and celebrate life’s little moments.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
While luck has played a small role in our journey, we firmly believe that hard work, determination, and perseverance have been the driving forces behind our success. Starting The Cookie Bar wasn’t easy—we didn’t have a financial safety net or significant resources to fall back on. Every decision we’ve made and every dollar we’ve spent has been calculated and intentional.
We’ve worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life, from developing our concept and perfecting recipes to building relationships with our community. There have been challenges—unexpected expenses, slower times, and the natural ups and downs of owning a business—but we’ve always leaned on our commitment to quality and our passion for what we do to push through.
That’s not to say we don’t recognize moments of good fortune. The support of our community, the opportunities to collaborate with influencers, and the warm reception from our customers have all been incredible blessings. But at the end of the day, those moments wouldn’t have come without the foundation we’ve built through hard work and persistence.
Pricing:
- Single Cookie $4.25
- 4-Pack $15.95
- 12 Pack $45.95
- Take and Bake Cookie Dough $13.95
- Small Catering cookies $2.10 Large Catering Cookies $3.70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecookiebar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecookiebar.tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551986863965
