Exploring Life & Business with Yasmin Maria of Cookie Crumb Cookies

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmin Maria.

Yasmin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started when Covid was on top of everyone’s minds, my husband had unfortunately lost his job and we needed to make ends meet. I wanted to help and have always aspired to have my own business. Our circumstances forced me to make a decision, one that has changed our life in such a positive way. I have been baking for such a long time as a hobby during the holidays. I would always gift out my cookies to friends or family, and so many of them would tell me that I should sell them. I remember thinking this would be a fun way to gain extra income. I thought to myself, “If I’m going to do this; I’m going to have to give it my all”.

Initially all of my energy was centered around helping out our household and growing Cookie Crumb Cookies. I recall a particular occasion in which I baked from morning to late night, just making sure that I perfected my recipe. The amount of cookies and pictures that I took that day was enormous and to many to count. I created an Instagram account for Cookie Crumb Cookies and just started posting all the different pictures I had taken. Over time I got into the pop-up scene and started to sell my cookies all over southern California. Our first year as Cookie Crumb Cookies I participated in different markets every weekend with no breaks. Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday I would be at a different location. It did take a lot out of my husband and children as it did interfere a lot with family time but I knew that making those sacrifices would pay off for our future.

We eventually began to grow a following and had our clientele; we started to finally see all the hard work paying off. Our big break was definitely when we were included on the Ellen show. Having Meghan Markel and Ellen eat our cookies was definitely the cherry on top of it all. At the end of the day, Cookie Crumb Cookies would not be where it is at without the help and support of my family, friends and our wonderful customers that enjoy our one-of-a-kind cookies every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I always say many people only see the success stories and don’t see any of your struggles. It’s definitely been rough; a lot of my time has been focused on Cookie Crumb Cookies so it does take away from spending time with my family. When we initially started, we would get rejected from markets because we didn’t have a following, so it was difficult to step into the pop-up scene. Being a new business, we didn’t have too many resources and it was difficult with just one income. Personal fear of failure was also a big weight on my shoulders, but I quickly learned that failing was a huge part of our success. I had to learn how to pick myself up and continue to move forward.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Cookie Crumb Cookies was established in 2020 during the pandemic and was born out of necessity. We’re a minority and female-owned business, we go by the business model people planet and profit and with growth, we continually try to figure out new ways to integrate helping our community and how we can help in some way or another. What sets us apart is our customer service; our customers are what got us to where we are today and they are always top of mind to us. Some of our unique items that we carry definitely sets us apart as well, some of them being our mazapan cookies, espresso cookies as well as our secret menu that only Cookie Crumb Cookies fan know and have spread by word of mouth. We are proud to have spread our brand in positive ways and are lucky to have been able to work with multiple social good organizations like City of Hope and Just planted to name a few. We are a small business ourselves and sometimes we don’t have all the resources but whenever we are able to help; whether it be donating our cookies or donating a portion of our profit sales has been something that we have been incredibly proud of and will be forever be ingrained in the Cookie Crumb Cookie culture for years to come.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Put yourself out there. I know to some people fear of failing is huge and it was part of my personal journey as well but it pays off to step out of your comfort zone. Always maintain focus on why you started to begin with. Don’t let any opportunity pass you by, anytime you feel like you have failed it’s a chance to learn how to pick yourself up learn from your mistakes and keep going. If there is one thing I wish I knew when we first started Cookie Crumb Cookies, it was how much of your energy it would take, as hard as it was when Cookie Crumb Cookies first started, I can honestly say it’s been one of the greatest personal growth experiences I will ever endure and encourage anyone to follow their dreams and live their own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cookiecrumbcookies.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookiecrumbcookies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookiecrumbcookies/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClNmCKErFSKaROQxhzw8QmA

Image Credits
The Jefa life- Viviana