Today we’d like to introduce you to Shahira Marei.
Shahira, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s not about baking. I’m the furthest person from your typical Betty Crocker. In fact, in my past life, I was an aerospace project manager. The Dirty Cookie was born from the desire to turn something small, into something meaningful. It was born from my personal aspiration to change lives.
When I was ten years old, on vacation in Egypt, I witnessed the devastation of hunger and homelessness first hand. I was shocked that children my age were living on the streets, that they were deprived of basic food and shelter. I begged my father to give them money, and he conceded, but not before engraving the single most important statement I would hear, to date.
“If you really want to help them, give them jobs, not money.” It was monumental enough for me to decide to build a company. One that I vowed would be centered around the people I employ.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh man. Starting any business for the most part I feel is not a smooth road especially in the beginning.
Coming from an aerospace background and jumping into a whole new industry was tough. I had to learn how to bake (which I never did) and man is there a science to baking, especially when you are turning cookies into cookie cups.
I was familiar with manufacturing, so I manufactured our own baking molds but I never worked with overseas suppliers before and that was also challenging. Our first order of molds did not come out the way we expected and we were less than a month away from opening our doors.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Dirty Cookie – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Dirty Cookie puts a premium, hand-crafted, and customizable twist on the classic milk and cookie experience. We’re a dunk free (but slam-dunk) twist on grandma’s classic recipe, where the usual splashy mess stays within the cookie. We specialize in cookie cups that you can fill with any beverage of your choice. Then you Sip and Bite!
I’m very proud of how we created a second amazing product on accident, our cookie butter. It wasn’t really an accident but we had so much wasted cookies from the cups and I really didn’t want to throw it so I decided to come up with another product which has become our cookie butter. And people are absolutely obsessed with it.
Our customization option is what really sets us apart. We work with companies like Microsoft, Universal Studios, and Nickelodeon to customize each cookie cup for them with their logos. People can also order specific gift sets online that are customized for each holiday.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love about LA is the social fun lifestyle, especially for someone that was raised in Orange County. I love the LA nightlife.
Definitely the traffic:( I spend on average 4 hours in the car per day due to LA traffic…
Pricing:
- One Dozen Cookie Cups $54
- Cookie Butter $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedirtycookieoc.com
- Phone: 949-324-1584
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedirtycookieoc.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thedirtycookie
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/dirtycookieoc
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
