Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Dyer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Kathleen, although almost everyone knows me as “Cookie.” My dad started calling me Cookie the day I was born, and the nickname has stayed with me my entire life. Years later, it became the perfect name for my bakery.
Baking has always been something I loved, but turning it into a business happened one step at a time. I started by sharing my baked goods with family and friends, then began taking custom orders before expanding into local farmers markets. Today, Cookie’s Cupcakes is known for creative desserts with a little personality. From cake jars with names like The Pineapple Problem Child to unique cookies, whoopie pies, sweet breads, and seasonal creations, I love making desserts that make people smile before they even take their first bite. Every recipe is tested until I’m happy with it because I want customers to know they’re getting something made with care.
One of my favorite parts of running the business is creating something unexpected. I love taking familiar desserts and giving them a fun twist, whether it’s a unique flavor combination or a playful name. We have:
• The Unexpected Favorite cake jar, which is strawberry cake with basil buttercream.
• The Sunshine Stowaway, a lemon cookie with a lime infused coconut macaroon center.
• The Oddball cake jar, zucchini cake with a blueberry compote and stabilized whipped cream. These are just a few examples!
I still work another job while running my bakery, so many days start early and end late, but seeing customers come back week after week or hearing that something I baked became part of a special celebration makes all the hard work worthwhile. Watching this little business grow has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
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?
Running a small business has definitely not been a smooth road. Every week brings a new challenge, whether it’s rising ingredient costs, unpredictable weather at outdoor markets, creating enough inventory without wasting product, or simply finding enough hours in the day. Time is my biggest challenge, how to squeeze everything in each day when I get home from work! Because everything is made from scratch, there are no shortcuts.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to stay flexible. Not every new recipe works the first time, and not every event is successful, but every experience teaches me something that makes the business stronger. I also remind myself that growth doesn’t happen overnight. Building a loyal customer base takes consistency, quality, and patience.
The biggest reward is seeing familiar faces return week after week, often bringing friends or family with them because they want to share something they enjoyed. Knowing that something I baked has become part of someone’s tradition or celebration makes every late night and early morning worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Cookie’s Cupcakes is a home bakery specializing in small-batch, from-scratch desserts made with creativity, quality, and heart. I offer a variety of desserts, including my signature cake jars, cookies, brownies, sweet breads, and award-winning whoopie pies. I love creating desserts that surprise people with unexpected flavor combinations and a little personality.
One of the things that sets my bakery apart is my collection of cake jars. Inspired by growing up as one of twelve siblings, each jar has its own name and personality, from “The Golden Child” to “The Black Sheep.” Customers don’t just choose a flavor, they choose the family member they relate to most, and watching them laugh, debate their favorites, and connect with the personalities has become one of my favorite parts of the business.
Every recipe gets tested and tweaked several times until I’m completely happy with it. My husband Gregg and son Ethan are invaluable with this, always ready to eat yet another baked treat I’ve experimented with. I don’t believe in shortcuts, and I want every customer to know they’re getting something made with care, quality, and attention to detail.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community that has grown around Cookie’s Cupcakes. Many customers have become regulars, friends, and part of my extended bakery family. I love celebrating their milestones, creating desserts for their special occasions, and welcoming them back to my booth each week. Even Cookie’s canine regulars have favorite treats. A corgi named Waffles makes a beeline for the booth every market, patiently waiting for his carefully rationed biscuit, now served in tiny pieces after being put on a diet.
My goal has always been simple: to create desserts that are as memorable as they are delicious and leave people smiling after the last bite.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I never really had one specific business mentor, but my biggest inspiration has always been my mum. She taught me the value of hard work, kindness, and putting your heart into whatever you do. Even now, she’s the first person I think of when I’m creating a new recipe or trying to decipher one of her handwritten recipe cards. When I’m creating something new or working through a challenge, I often think about the lessons she taught me.
Beyond that, I’ve learned by asking questions, listening to other small business owners, and simply being willing to keep learning. Farmers markets have been a wonderful place to connect with other vendors who understand the ups and downs of owning a small business. I’ve found that being genuine, supporting one another, and never being afraid to try something new has been far more valuable than having one formal mentor.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookie_s_cupcakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553105009873
