Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Ross.
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been a bit of a drama queen in the best way. As a kid, I was constantly putting on recitals with my friends, forcing our parents to sit through performances that featured questionable choreography and A LOT of jazz hands. I loved singing, writing, storytelling—basically, anything that involved a little flair. But I was also an incredibly focused child. By third grade, I had already decided I was going to be a lawyer. So I followed that path: I went to a great law school, worked in corporate at a big law firm, and eventually landed at a movie studio managing business and legal affairs for their consumer products group.
Then the COVID shutdowns hit. Suddenly, I was alone in my condo with nothing but my furniture and my own thoughts, which, let me tell you, is not a sustainable situation. After watching every movie known to man and completing every puzzle I could get my hands on, twice, I needed a new outlet.
Halloween has always been my Super Bowl. I made my own costumes, threw over-the-top parties, built cheese boards like edible architecture. When the 2020 party was canceled, I still wanted to do something festive but that didn’t require human interaction or yeast (which was apparently more valuable than gold at the time). That’s when I found cookie decorating classes online and thought, “How hard can it be?” (Answer: Very. But also, weirdly addicting.)
One thing led to another, and suddenly I was elbow-deep in royal icing at midnight, stress-baking like it was being presented on the gingham altar. It became a creative outlet and a source of comfort—something fun and hands-on in a world that felt very out of control. Friends started asking me to make cookies for birthdays, baby showers, trunk parties— you name it. I was powered by sugar and compliments, like any good millennial.
Eventually, what started as a pandemic hobby had become a true passion. Late last year, I had a wild thought: What if I just did this? Like, for real? So I traded in the contracts for baking sheets and launched my own cookie business. Now I spend my days (and my late nights) turning butter and sugar into tiny, edible works of art—and I’ve never felt more creatively fulfilled.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, smooth? Not even a little. When I left law, I was having an identity crisis. “You’re leaving a legal career… to make cookies?” And I’d say, “Yes, but not just any cookies – tiny works of edible art for baby showers and brand launches!” This city is full of reinvention stories, and mine just happens to involve edible glitter. I’ve had cookie clients who are producers, celebrities, authors, influencers, and once, I think, a very polite cult leader. Only in LA.
The learning curve was steep. I had to learn how to price my work, market myself on social media without cringing – which is honestly still quite a challenge for me, get icing to cooperate in 90-degree heat, and explain to people that no, I don’t make cupcakes, and yes, I do charge that muchfor a cookie. We’re in the middle of an egg shortage!
But honestly, the chaos has probably taught me as much as law school did. I’ve learned how to roll with the punches, improvise when an order goes sideways, and most importantly, to laugh at myself. A lot. Because if you can’t laugh while you’re piping 100 tiny beards onto mini Santas at 2 a.m., you’re in the wrong business.
So no, it hasn’t been easy. It’s been a wild, colorful ride with plenty of cratered icing and lessons learned. But I love that I get to bring a little bit of joy to people’s lives.
We’ve been impressed with Piped by Nicole, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Thank you! Piped by Nicole is all about turning cookies into tiny works of art. I specialize in custom-decorated sugar cookies that are equal parts beautiful, bold, and delicious—each one designed to match a specific theme, a vibe, or a vision. Whether it’s a brand launch, an over-the-top wedding, or a baby shower in a backyard, I’m creating cookies that feel like they belong—on the dessert table and on the feed.
What sets me apart is the level of detail and clever design I bring to each order. My background in law taught me how to be precise, thoughtful, and client-focused—and I bring that same energy to cookies. Everything is made-to-order, completely custom, and tailored to each client’s style. People aren’t just getting cookies—they’re getting a curated, edible experience that reflects them.
Plus, I like to have fun with it. My designs aren’t afraid to be a little cheeky, a little glam, or a little extra. That blend of quality, personality, and creativity is the heart of the brand. At the end of the day, my goal is simple: make something people can’t stop looking at—or eating.
Any big plans?
Absolutely. I’m really focused on sustainable growth right now—both creatively and strategically. My business is still new and has lots of room to grow. One of my biggest goals is to launch in-person and virtual cookie decorating workshops here in Los Angeles. There’s a real demand for hands-on, creative experiences, especially ones that bring people together in a fun and relaxed way. I see it as an extension of the joy my cookies already bring, but in a more interactive format.
I’m also experimenting with curated, seasonal drops—think limited-edition collections inspired by LA’s unique culture (awards season, anyone?). It’s a fun way to blend design, storytelling, and local flair into my work while keeping things fresh and relevant.
At the end of the day, my goal is to keep creating joy in edible form, while building a brand that feels playful, personal, and just a little extra—because it’s LA, and we love a little extra.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pipedbynicole.com
- Instagram: @pipedbynicole
