Today we’d like to introduce you to Keirsten Johnson.
Hi Keirsten, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Kookies By Keirsten began with a passion for baking that was inspired by my grandmother and nurtured by family who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. What started as a creative outlet gradually grew into a business as friends, family, and eventually paying customers began requesting my custom cookies for their celebrations and events.
Over the years, I taught myself the art of cookie decorating while balancing motherhood, caregiving responsibilities, and the realities of entrepreneurship. What began as a side business evolved into a Detroit-based custom cookie company serving both individual and corporate clients. Today, Kookies By Keirsten specializes in handcrafted custom cookies, corporate logo cookies, branded event experiences, and DIY Kookie Kits.
My journey has not been a straight line. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty. However, each obstacle strengthened my commitment to building something meaningful. Today, I am proud to lead a business that creates more than cookies—we create edible conversation pieces that help people celebrate milestones, strengthen brands, and create lasting memories.
Seventeen years later, Kookies By Keirsten continues to grow, driven by a commitment to excellence, creativity, and community. My vision is to build a world-class brand born in Detroit that not only delivers extraordinary products but also creates opportunities for others through mentorship, job creation, and entrepreneurship.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. While I am incredibly grateful for how far Kookies By Keirsten has come, the journey has been filled with challenges.
Like many entrepreneurs, I started with more passion than resources. I taught myself cookie decorating, learned business operations through trial and error, and often wore every hat in the company—from baker and decorator to salesperson, marketer, bookkeeper, and customer service representative.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing growth with capacity. As demand increased, I found myself navigating the realities of scaling a handcrafted business while maintaining the quality and attention to detail that customers expect. At the same time, I was raising my daughter, caring for family members, and managing life’s unexpected hardships, including the loss of loved ones who played important roles in my journey.
There were moments when progress felt slow and the path forward wasn’t always clear. However, those experiences taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of building systems rather than simply working harder.
Today, I view those challenges as part of my foundation. They shaped not only the business owner I have become, but also the mission behind Kookies By Keirsten—to create opportunities, inspire others, and prove that success can be built one step, one lesson, and one cookie at a time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Kookies By Keirsten is a Detroit-based custom cookie company that specializes in handcrafted decorated cookies, corporate logo cookies, branded event experiences, and DIY Kookie Kits. We serve both individual and corporate clients who want something more memorable than a traditional dessert.
What we do particularly well is transform cookies into edible conversation pieces. Whether it’s a corporate logo, a convention giveaway, a milestone celebration, or a personalized gift, our cookies help people tell stories, strengthen brands, and create meaningful connections.
We are known for our attention to detail, creativity, and ability to bring a client’s vision to life. Our motto is, “We make ordinary cookies EXTRAordinary,” and that philosophy guides everything we do. We don’t just decorate cookies—we create experiences that people remember long after the event is over.
What sets us apart is the combination of artistry, personalization, and heart that goes into every order. In a world filled with mass-produced products, we offer something that feels personal, thoughtful, and uniquely tailored to the occasion. As a proudly Detroit-born business, we also bring a sense of community, resilience, and authenticity to everything we create.
What I am most proud of is building a business that has endured and evolved over the past 17 years while remaining true to its values. Beyond the cookies themselves, I am proud that Kookies By Keirsten has become a source of joy, connection, and inspiration for our customers and a platform for creating future opportunities within our community.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I consider myself a calculated risk-taker. I don’t take risks simply for the excitement of it, but I understand that growth often requires stepping outside of your comfort zone.
One of the biggest risks I took was believing in myself enough to turn a passion into a business. I taught myself cookie decorating, built my business from the ground up, and continued investing my time, energy, and resources into growing it, even when the path forward wasn’t always clear.
Over the years, I’ve taken strategic risks by pursuing larger corporate clients, exploring new markets, developing products like our DIY Kookie Kits, and saying yes to opportunities that challenged me to grow as both a business owner and a leader. While I always do my research and planning, I’ve learned that waiting for perfect certainty can sometimes mean missing valuable opportunities.
My approach to risk is simple: understand the opportunity, evaluate the potential downside, prepare as much as possible, and then move forward with confidence. I believe there is often just as much risk in standing still as there is in taking action.
Not every risk has turned out exactly as I envisioned, but every one of them has taught me something valuable. Those lessons have helped shape Kookies By Keirsten into the company it is today and continue to influence how I approach growth, innovation, and leadership.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kookiesbykeirsten.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kookiesbykeirsten/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KookiesByKeirsten/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keirsten-johnson-kookiesbykeirsten/
