Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristel Coronado.
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?
I have always loved baking with my mother, but my journey of decorating with royal icing started as a birthday gift to my husband and his twin sister in 2018. That led to a fun way to hang out with my SILs, which led to teaching others the fun, which led to someone asking me if I could take an order. Thus, in 2019, my small business began just by sharing my cookie creations on Facebook. I had a lot to learn in the beginning – this included educating myself with the Michigan Cottage Food Law, proper food handling and safety, packaging, etc. It was all such a quick journey that I never sought after and it ended up being a fun blessing in my life. Fast forward to 2022, I now offer custom cookies, cookie decorating kits, cookie decorating classes, participate in market events, and more. What a fun, unexpected journey!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, my journey with this small business has been smooth. The only speed bump I hit was the same as everyone else… the start of COVID! At first, everything paused… things got pushed back to unknown dates, cancelled, rescheduled, etc. A month into COVID lockdown, I started getting more requests for orders – so many requests. I didn’t know if I should take them, because who knew how this virus spread? Eventually, I felt comfortable taking orders once again and I had some really funny, personalized, small orders while we took a pause from larger events. It was fun to create some very personal things for my customers along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
By day, I am actually an automotive engineer for General Motors in Milford. I make sure the vehicles you drive are safe and will protect you before a crash happens. I have been with the company for 22 years.
By night, I run my own small business bakery – Kristel’s Cookie Creations. In 2019, I delivered my first paid customer order to a customer’s hands. Since then, I have done nearly 400 different custom orders, dozens of cookies classes, flash sales, and cookie market booths.
I specialize in custom-decorated cookies, tailored to your personal theme. My cookie is a family recipe that has been passed for several generations. It is a crunchier cookie, similar to a sweet, buttery shortbread. The custom designs are made with royal icing, which dries to a crunch. I do also makes cakes, cupcakes, hot cocoa bombs, and chocolate-dipped sweet treats, but I am mostly known for my custom-designed cookies.
I am most proud to be a self-taught decorator and businesswoman. It was a long journey to be self-taught, but it also helped me learn from my own mistakes and find methods that best serve me.
I taught group fitness, indoor cycling, and aerial silks classes for a combined 18 years, so having that experience and background provided me with the foundation to be a strong cookie decorating class instructor. Teaching others comes quite naturally to me and I have a strong love for sharing my passion with others.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Support for my small business can come in many forms, which may not always include purchasing products. You can simply follow my Facebook and Instagram pages, like posts, share posts, and also spread by word of mouth to others that may be looking for custom-designed cookies. I do not often collaborate, as working with the Michigan Cottage Food Law does have some regulations that I must adhere to in terms of re-sale and labeling. I do pick one or two events per year to participate in as a “donation”, but I do not collaborate with those often as custom cookies do take a LOT of planning, prep, and time to complete.
Pricing:
- Custom Cookies start at $3.50 per cookie for very basic designs
- Most customers spend between $48-$70 per dozen
- Cocoa Bombs (winter only) start at $5 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristelscookiecreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristelscookiecreations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristelscookiecreations
