Today we’d like to introduce you to Amberlee Hernandez-Parada.
Amberlee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Am’s Royal Cookies was an idea I had during my second pregnancy earlier this year. I’m crafty at heart and have always had a passion for expressing myself by baking sweet treats. I’m that gal that likes to bake up a southern style dessert and grab a bottle of champagne to take to a party! Am’s Royal cookies consist of homemade-hand crafted royal icing sugar cookies for any occasion and homemade lactation cookies for nursing mothers. The sugar cookies are made to order so my clients can pick any theme or design to go on their cookies. I even offer 24k gold flakes! My purpose behind sharing my royal icing cookies with the public was to spread love through a delicious treat. If someone is having a bad day, a long week, celebrating life, or just had a baby I want to be that person they turn to for a sweet pick-me-up. I love making special deliveries just to see that smile. It is absolutely priceless!
My homemade oatmeal chocolate chip lactation cookies were a little something I came up with after I gave birth to my second baby girl this past summer. I found myself constantly ordering lactation cookies and being disappointed in most brands because of the taste and the price so I thought, why not try and bake my own. I know if this was a struggle for me then other nursing moms could relate. The “Liquid Gold” cookies are perfect for nursing moms but can be safely consumed by anyone. In fact, the first few batches I ever made sat on my counter for a day and were eaten by my parents and grandparents. They had no idea they were lactation cookies until I revealed the big secret LOL.
This is a fairly new business venture for me in addition to running my blog amberleebrae.com but I am growing, learning and enjoying everything about it. I also donate a percentage of my profit to charitable causes from vendor events! I also donate breast milk and lactation cookies to moms who struggle producing enough milk for their newborns. I have an over supply of breast milk (a blessing and a curse as some of us know) so I truly feel like this is my calling to help mothers and newborns in need. Am’s Royal Cookies offers so much more than just a cookie. My business offers hope and happiness to trough sweets. And who doesn’t love a good cookie?
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
You know how you hear those love stories and people tell you when its the one you just know? That’s pretty much how I feel about Am’s Royal Cookies. It’s only natural to have highs and lows, so yes I have daily challenges but for the most part, this business has been falling into place so easily. It’s amazing. The most challenging part about it is more of a personal challenge. I am impatient and very critical of myself at times. I want things to be perfect and fast LOL. This plays a major role when it comes to learning new techniques or new styles for my icing. Another challenge is being a full-time mom of two and running a small business. Lord Have Mercy LOL. Finding time for myself feels impossible but I love what I do.
Tell us more about the business.
I’m gonna keep this short, simple, and sweet (of course). Am’s Royal Cookies is a baking business inspired by a full-time mom (Amberlee Hernandez-Parada) that has always enjoyed baking sweet treats for party guest and family functions since she was a little girl. My business goal is to make delicious and beautiful cookies appropriate for any occasion and delicious cookies that help mothers nourish their newborn babies. I am a full-time mom, blogger and baker. I’m known for my role as a full-time wife and mother of two, my love for baking sweets, my creativity, and my holistic-glam lifestyle. I specialize in home made pastries. I absolutely love trying new recipes! (be on the lookout for something vegan and keto friendly)
I am most proud of the fact that I started this business with a vision to spread something sweet to strangers, family and friends just to see a smile or a positive post on social media and that is exactly what is happening. A lot of the things I have been doing to help my business grow has cost me money and time and I’ve done these things for free from and the bottom of my heart. I’m praying this business continues to pay off as it grows. To be able to make a beautiful batch of cookies for a birthday party or an engagement makes me so happy to know that I could be a part of someone’s special day. My clients will never forget about what they ate on the most memorable days of their lives and I’m so proud that they chose my cookies to be a part of that. The one thing I am most proud of is being able to give back to the community and nursing mothers. So many women find themselves struggling with nursing so I love being able to give them hope and help with my lactation cookies. I truly feel like THAT is what makes me different from your everyday bakery or cookie cutting housewife. One minute I can be delivering the wildest decorated cookies for a bachelorette party and the next minute I can be delivering cookies to a new mom who is trying everything in the world to bond with her new baby. At the end of the day, its all for a great cause and everybody eats.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t really believe in luck. I believe in Karma and The Law Of Attraction and it has played every single role in my life and my new business. Not every day is easy but I have learned that my mindset pretty much predicts how my daily life is going to go so I try to stay positive in every situation. I do have obstacles and challenges but I don’t really consider them bad karma, bad luck, or negative. I see everything as a lesson and always look for the positive aspect of every situation. I really feel like my view on life changed when I became a mother. This helps me make tough decisions and has also helped me become a more compassionate person. When I create an idea I’m not just thinking about how it affects my pockets or my reputation but how it affects my consumers and our future. That’s why I’m so passionate about my lactation cookies. Our kids are the future so its only right for us to try to nourish them with the best if possible.
Pricing:
- Prices start at $16 for a half dozen Royal Icing Sugar cookies (not including delivery/shipping)
- Prices start at $16 a dozen for “Liquid Gold” cookies (not including delivery/shipping)
- I hand deliver to any location less than 15 miles from DFW international airport
Contact Info:
- Website: amberleebrae.com
- Email: amsroyalcookies@outlook.com
- Instagram: @amsroyalcookies @amberlee_xi
Image Credit:
photos taken by me
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