Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jurek.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Cookie Bowtique got started in a roundabout way. I remember a friend posted the most beautiful designer cookies on Facebook and ever since I saw her creations, I wanted to learn how to decorate. I initially tried to learn from Pinterest and realized it was going to take more than one attempt to make beautiful cookies.
About two years later, I was hosting my Grandmother’s 90th Birthday Celebration and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try again. At her party, people raved about the cookies I made and I had my first request for an order. I was shocked that someone wanted ME to make cookies for their event. This led to more and more people requesting cookies. I mainly made them for friends and family.
While making cookies, I kept needing and ordering different cookie cutters. Sometimes, I would spend hours to find inspiration and cutters to go with my ideas. My husband encouraged me to start making my own cutters which led to us creating The Cookie Bowtique!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our business journey has been somewhat of a winding road. We intended to start the business about a year before we launched it. We went through many obstacles learning how to translate my ideas into designs and then making them into cookie cutters.
A big struggle of entrepreneurship is when both spouses work full-time careers while investing in themselves at the same time. We often come straight home from our jobs just to get back to work. It is a challenge to juggle creating new designs while printing and shipping current orders. With our fast company growth, we have still found ways to efficiently manufacture and ship quality cookie cutters in a timely manner.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Cookie Bowtique – what should we know?
The Cookie Bowtique is an emerging cookie cutter manufacturer. We currently sell exclusively on Etsy and offer 3D-printed cookie cutters for the custom cookie decorator. We specialize in on-trend and hand-lettered designs.
As an artisan cookie designer, it can be a challenge to come up with “Instaworthy” designs. To do that, unique cookie cutters are needed to help grow an artisan cookie business. Our in-house manufacturing allows us to quickly get on-trend cookie cutters from idea to you!
A major thing that sets us apart is our fast turn-around and shipping. Many other cutter shops can take over a week or two for their turn arounds. Our current processing time is 2-4 business days. We are known for the quality of our cutters with wide handles for a comfort grip. We are also known for labeling the cutters on our hand-lettered designs. If someone has not used a cutter in a while, it may be hard to figure out what it is.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m not sure where we would be in the business today without my brother. He helped my husband and me to figure out the software, troubleshoot, and learn to create the cookie cutters.
One time, I was in need of a specific cookie cutter and had to borrow one from a lady in our DFW Cookie Group who gladly let me use it. As a thank you, I mailed back her cutter along with one of the first cookie cutters I made. It was not the prettiest cutter or near what we have today, but we are now able to look back at how much progress has been made.
The “cookie community” is very supportive and we are thankful for great friends and customers that allow us to continue this journey.
Pricing:
- $4-8 per cookie cutter
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCookieBowtique
- Email: thecookiebowtique@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecookiebowtique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecookiebowtique/
Image Credit:
Audrey O’Donnell Art
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