Today we’d like to introduce you to Catie Crump.
Catie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I come from a family of amazing bakers. I come by it honestly. I was raised and nurtured in the kitchen by my mom; who is an incredible baker. I also learned the art of southern baking from my grandmother, or Grammy as we called her. I would watch the women in my family baking in sheer amazement. Over the years, I developed my baking skills by making cookies for my friends. I spent countless hours in the kitchen trying to put together just the right recipe for my chocolate chip cookies.
I have had quite the baker’s heart. As much as I love my cookies, I loved getting to share them with the ones I loved even more. There was something about getting to watch my friends and family enjoy something that I made, that brought my heart so much joy. My Grammy, Nancy Kate was one of the most honest cookie taste testers I had over the years. She encouraged me to start a cookie business.
After years of dreaming and praying about it, I decided the time was finally right. I named my cookie company Nancy Cates of course after my grandma, Nancy Kate, and also after my nickname, Cates, giving to me by my closest friends. I just combined the names, and it just stuck! I had no clue what I was doing at first, and quite frankly I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Luckily God placed me in Aubrey, Texas, where I have been surrounded by amazing friends, that are also successful business owners. They helped guide me through the first stages of developing my business and also helped me to dream big.
Over the last year, Nancy Cates has grown in such a way; I am still pinching myself. We are currently in the process of opening up our first brick and mortar store. It is going to be in the heart of Aubrey. This is something that I always prayed for, but never thought that it would be a reality. I owe the success of this little cookie company to all of my amazing customers. I think that the act of gifting someone with a box of cookies just makes a person feel so loved and cared about.
In this crazy world, I feel that just this simple act of kindness goes a long way. That is why I am so passionate about Nancy Cates, and why I feel I have gained a new ferocity for baking. I want people to not just like our cookies, but to become who to become bona fide Nancy Cates Cookie fans, and for them to share them with those that meant the most to them.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the past year, I have been baking all of our cookies from our home. During the holidays, this was quite a challenge. Making bulk amounts of cookies during the Christmas holiday got a little crazy in out 730 square foot apartment!
I began to dream about having my own store. There would be days that I would get so discouraged, and even embarrassed about telling people that I ran a business out of my home. I believe that it is crucial to surround yourself with people that believe in you and your business, even on the days that you don’t.
Not having a brick and mortar, has definitely been the biggest hurdle for me. There have been times of famine and feast in this business for us. I just kept praying and believing for a storefront. Finally, we found just the right space, and we are now in the process of getting it all set.
Nancy Cates Cookies – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Nancy Cates, I feel that the heart of our company is making our customers feel loved.
Of course, we want them to love our cookies, but we also want them to feel and know that each cookie is made with them in mind. With each cookie order, we hand-make custom cards specifically for that customer. We are known for our chocolate chip cookies, as well as our chocolate chip pecan cookies.
Our cookies are a little smaller than most but do not lack in flavor. I make them smaller so that people can eat one (or two ha!) with no guilt. We like to call them “little pieces of heaven.” In my opinion, getting a baker’s dozen for a reasonable price is just more important, rather than having giant cookies and only getting 2 or 3 of them.
We also drop ship for companies and can customize ANY order or need. Our cookies are perfect for parties, weddings, as gifts, etc. My favorite thing about our cookie company is that it is something that originated out of such a passion, that I honestly feel like I get to send each order out with a little piece of my heart.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success does not mean that you have finally arrived, or that you have all the money in the bank that you have always dreamed about. To me, success happens when the dreams about your life finally align with Gods. When that happens, it is a supernatural thing that occurs. It is like you work hard and you hustle, but you do it at such a seated place of rest that you know you are right where you are supposed to be.
All my life, I constantly struggled with this idea in my head that to be perfect and have my life altogether would mean that I was successful. To me, that could not be farther from the truth. I most definitely do not have my life all figured out or have all the money in the bank. But I am doing something that I love and that I wake up each morning and feel so proud about. I get to spread love and kindness to people. That to me is the epitome of success.
Pricing:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $15.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $16.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Snickerdoodle Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $16.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Peanut Butter Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen (gluten free) $15.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten free)/ Baker’s Dozen $16.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Oatmeal Cookies / Baker’s Dozen $16.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $18.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Seasonal Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $18.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Assortment Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $16.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Seasonal Assortment Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $18.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Iced Funfetti Shortbread Cookies/ Baker’s Dozen $18.00 (plus shipping/or delivery)
- Cookie Trays (Small, Medium. Large, Extra Large) / $100-$220 (plus shipping/ delivery)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nancycatescookies.com
- Phone: 918-519-5017
- Email: nancycatescookies@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nancycatescookies
- Facebook: facebook.com/nancycatescookies
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/nancy-cates-cookies-aubrey
Image Credit:
Stefani Peterson, Kristy Goplin, Jamie Brown
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