Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Metts.
Hi Mandy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was an elementary art teacher for fifteen years and then quit to be a stay at home Mom. By the time my son was six months old I was desperately trying to find a way to be creative at home. I had always enjoyed making jewelry so I started using some of my old supplies and making earrings and necklaces to sell. I found a small local market that was free to participate in so I would do that once a month. I would make an occasional sale but for the most part sat for 5-6 hours editing pics on my phone and scrolling. It did give me a break from being a Mom and I was able to make things, but it wasn’t what I was looking for. Then a friend of mine asked if I could learn to make royal icing cookies for her grandson’s birthday party. I had previous baking and decorating experience so I told her I would try. I have worked as a professional baker before, I had a cupcake business about fifteen years ago, and I have also worked as a cake decorator. Royal icing cookies were new though! The design was basic dinosaurs, solid colors with polka dots. They turned out so cute and I had so much fun! I posted the pic online and I immediately had interest coming in. People wanted me to make decorated cookies for their parties and events. My next big fun order was for an art show opening. The customer gave me complete creative freedom so I found some of the artwork that inspired me and duplicated them in cookie form. I was severely undercharging at first but I was figuring things out such as technique, icing consistencies, and recipes. As I slowly started doing more and more cookies I raised my prices, created a dedicated Instagram page, invested back in my business and kept doing more and more markets. I didn’t have much luck selling jewelry at markets. It’s a saturated market and a piece of jewelry is not an impulse or repeat purchase. Cookies on the other hand – are an easy purchase, a purchase that people will make over and over again, and something that they’ll want for special occasions. I started to make cookies to celebrate things I loved in Denton, and they started gaining popularity. I was asked to make Denton themed cookies for Dentonpalooza. When those were seen and posted online I started getting requests for my Denton cookies as stickers and magnets. So I got to work. I hired a graphic designer to digitize my cookies into images I could print into merch. And then a second business was born. I now had a cookie business and a Denton merch business. I keep participating in events and markets and now do the Denton Arts and Jazz fest, Denton Day of the Dead Festival, Denton Comic Expo, Denton Holiday Lighting Festival, and have my products sold in over five local stores. I still do custom orders and now also participate in the Denton Community Market happening every Saturday.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My business happened by accident. I never meant for it to get as big as it did but I am so grateful. I created the products that I wanted for myself and the cookies are always fun for me. It has been a smooth road but with lots of hard word. I’m still a full time mom so most of my work happens when he is napping or after he goes to bed. I haven’t had to advertise much at all to get where I am. It definitely makes me feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What do I do? – Other than my custom royal icing cookies I make merchandise that celebrates all things Denton.
What do you specialize in? – Custom cookies to match any occasion and Denton merch that celebrates the oddities of our town and the fun and quirky and no-longer-with-us businesses that we all miss
What am I known for? – see above
What am I most proud of? – I am proud of how hard I have worked while having a small baby, now toddler, at home. I wanted it so I sacrificed a lot of sleep and personal time to make the business work. I gave up television completely.
I also teach monthly cookie classes that are great for any beginner wanting to have fun night or or try out cookie decorating.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If people want to support me they can come to the Denton community market and purchase cookies, tell local shops that they want Mandy Metts Makes merch to be carried. You can hire me to make cookies for your special occasion. If your business is having a popup for a special event you can hire me to make cookies to help promote that event. Come to one of my classes or share about my work on your own social media.
Pricing:
- Cookies – $60 per dozen and up
- Denton stickers – $4
- Denton pins – $7-$10
- Cookie Classes – $50 and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mandymettsmakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandymettsmakes
Image Credits
Mandy Metts
(the pic of me is taken by strangers passing by with my phone)
