Back in October of 2021, I was turning 21! I wanted a special kind of cookie, royal icing cookies, to celebrate my milestone birthday of turning 21. Well, as my mom discovered, local cookiers were booked up, and Esty cookiers were charging $60 + PER DOZEN. So that's when I took matters into my own hands and signed us up for a class to learn how to do it ourselves. The day after my birthday, we went to a class, and ever since then we've spent most of our time (God Bless My Mother) in her kitchen. 

What I started as a fun new project quickly turned into a business opportunity. First, friends and family were ordering on facebook. My orders grew so much, I decided to make a facebook group. Now, we have so many orders I can no longer combine them with my boutique website, so I started our own!

Okay, so I did have some business experience! I started Reflections Boutique, an online boutique, back in February of 2019. You can check this out on Facebook and Instagram, @shopreflectiosboutique, and visit our website www.reflections-boutique.com. 

In my free time (ha!) I am a college student, dance teacher, and titleholder within the Miss America Organization. What's cool about our cookie business is that $2 from every dozen is donated to charities and organizations helping to break the stigma around mental health and addiction and provide treatment. It's a cause near and dear to my heart. 

My mom is the heart of my business. It's called the "Blonde Baker" but to be honest, she does most of the baking! She bakes, I ice and decorate, and we both get them ready to be shipped or delivered. My WHOLE family helps with these endeavors and I couldn't do it without them. 

You're probably wondering, do I bake out of my home? YES. It has recently become LEGAL in Indiana to sell cottage foods (homemade foods) not only at a "roadside stand", but through online and in-person events as well. Our products are home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the State Department of Health.

If you've made it this far, you're a champ! Can't wait for you to taste our amazing cookies soon! 

xx - Emma