Cookies For Lunch

Latest Episodes:

Facebook Page and Facebook Groups; how to use to your advantage Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

As any new cookier knows there can be a struggle to learn all of the things you need to do to sell your product, get your cookies out into the world, be seen by customers, your friends, your foes... then what? How do you choose which social media giant will be your best fit? Once you're in the sea of people, business, and things, how will your cookies get spotted by people who will actually pay you?

Today we chat about Facebook, aka Meta, and how to utilize the 'group' function to your advantage. For example, we have a Cookies for Lunch Facebook PAGE and a GROUP. If you like our page, thank you! If you are a member of our GROUP, you found a spot where you belong. Groups are made up of similarly minded people with the same targeted interest. This is where you can ask your cookie questions, get advice, learn from the experts in the group, hopefully make new friends, and your comments will be seen. A group is more intimate than a business page. Think of it as an insider to that business page. Sandra has a Facebook group that is for her local customers only. This is where she can make pop up cookie announcements and members of her group are (almost) guaranteed to see it. If she makes this same announcement on her business only page, the visibility to her 'target audience' is watered down. Nancy has so many groups it may make you DIZZY! Again, the message she puts out in these groups is very targeted to that specific group of members. Shari doesn't have any groups, and she is okay with that she leans more toward Instagram...all of our business are different. Cynthia Ann isn't with us today, but we don't think she has any groups. As with anything, there is a learning curve and technology changes on a whim.

Grab your lunch and join us as we chat!

Please leave us a review, share and rate our podcast so we know how to best connect with you.

If you want to join our Cookies for Lunch Facebook group click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

To see the Nancys' Global Cookie Community click here:

https://www.thecolorfulcookie.com/blog/global-cookie-community-find-cookiers-near-you

Show Notes

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Guest Interview with Sam Opdenbosch of Sam's Cookie Company **Updated 7/25/22 Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

We have a treat for you today! Sam Opdenbosch of Sam's Cookie Company joins us for a chat about cookies, designing cookie cutters, and ballroom dancing! Sam is a seasoned sales pro by day and manages her cookie business as 'a serious side hustle' in her off hours. Sam got started with "Sam's Cookies" as her business customers aptly named them when she would drop cookies off to them.

In this very informative podcast, Sam explains how she and her husband developed a plug in that has been a game changer in the 3-D cookie cutter industry. Whether you have a 3-D printer, or have just heard about them, Sam will help you understand the process from concept to completion in printing a cookie cutter with a 3-D printer. She will have you repeating "Sketch. Click. Done.".

Sam has also been on Food Networks' Christmas Cookie Challenge. You definitely want to hear how she landed on the show! No one was more surprised than she was.

Sam is energetic and a great story teller! We guarantee you will definitely want to follow her!

Nancy had Sam on The Colorful Cookie where they created a stencil and cookie cutter together. You can watch here:

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie/videos/993788188196636

We have included all of Sam's links below:

https://www.cookiebetter.com/about

https://www.samscookiecompany.com/
https://www.instagram.com/samscookiecompany/
https://www.facebook.com/samscookiecompany
https://www.facebook.com/groups/samscookieuniversity

Show Notes

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Christmas in July? How to prep for the holidays Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

We have all heard about, or experienced, supply chain disruptions in the past year or so. Toilet paper demand, anyone??? Stores have been low on butter, sugar, flour, and eggs too. Was it easy to find a suitable replacement? It may not be easy to find cookie-packaging replacements in the size, scale, and pricing you need. Not having the right supplies can be a business disruptor for you and a costly one.

In this episode we offer our best tips on how to plan for the upcoming holidays-season. Planning for the rest of the year really kicks in after the July 4th holiday, and once school starts, things move very quickly. Now is the time to research where to get your labels, product stickers, ingredient labels, cello bags, boxes, and ribbon. By ordering your supplies in the summer and prepping your packaging now, you will be steps ahead in the heavy baking season. You definitely want to tune in to hear how each of us approach planning for maximizing holiday baking time and minimizing supply chain stress.

Please make sure to leave us a review, subscribe and share with your friends. We truly appreciate you being here!

We mention these companies in the podcast today. They have not endorsed, paid us, or been paid for us to discuss them on the episode. These are honest conversations about how each of use the products for our businesses. We have listed these companies here for our listeners' convenience.

https://www.labelin.us/

https://www.vistaprint.com

https://www.printrunner.com

https://www.brpboxshop.com/

https://www.nashvillewraps.com/

https://www.papermart.com

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Special Guest Andrea Walters; Andy Kay's Cookies Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

We have another guest this week. You may have seen our guest on The Food Networks' Christmas Cookie Challenge, Instagram (over 31K followers), or in one of her several roles she has stepped into at CookieCon; Core Instructor, Add-On Instructor, panel discussion host, and Key Note speaker.

Andrea pulls back the curtain on cookie competitions, the former "Periscope" days that preceded Instagram and FB Lives, cookie decorating instruction, her two puppies (yes-just like Sandra!), her friendships within the cookier community, and creating our own cookier decorating styles. Andrea is very passionate about what she does and speaks about her strengths. She is fun, witty, and very good and telling her story.

Cookie Camper Capers!! If you have followed Andrea for any time, you may also know she has a cookie camper that she has been trying to get renovated for her pop ups. Four weeks of a renovation turned into eight weeks....unreturned calls... unprotected storage...a tornado near miss...annd Andrea found her camper in a field with weeds growing around it. She did get her camper and her money back! Listen to her tell the story and where she is now with the camper.

Consistency Tip-what does shiny have to do with it? Andrea gives a very descriptive example of icing consistency.

You can find Andy Kay's Cookies here:

www.AndyKaysCookies.com

https://www.facebook.com/andykayscookies

https://www.instagram.com/andykayscookies/

Remember to Like, Subscribe, and Comment on our Podcast.

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Special Guest Spotlight Lauren Barkley Jacobs, The Cheerful Baker Jun 29, 2022

Show notes

We have our first special guest on the show today! Come and listen in as we visit with Lauren Barkley Jacobs, The Cheerful Baker. Shari could not join us today, so we also have a guest co-host, Andrea Walter's of Andy Kay's Cookies.

Listen in as we talk about how Lauren recently had an Instagram reel go viral, about the brand new Cheerful Cutter subscription box, how she got started decorating cookies, and why cookie friends are so important to have in your life. She has even authored a children’s book about her son Caleb called, “The Boy Who Lost His Colors”. Lauren shares her love for Jesus and how He is the source of her joy. Her cookie name even came from one of her favorites verses from the Bible Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

SHOW NOTES:

Find our guest, Lauren Barley Jacobs, The Cheerful Baker and Cheerful Cutters at the links below:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cheerfulbaker/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecheerfulbaker/

Website https://cheerfulcutters.com/

Lauren's Children's Book, "The Boy Who Lost His Colors" HERE

Please remember! Subscribe and share our podcast to help us reach more cookiers :0)

Find Cookies For Lunch The Podcast on Social Media

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch The Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio

https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop

https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery

https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

About Us; A little bit of background Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

Who are we and how did we get here? We have talked a few times about how each of us have very different business approaches in the cookie world. What did we do before we became "Cookiers"? Who are we as people? Is 'Cookie-ing" our full time job? Which one of us lived on a farm? Who sweats but doesn't stink? Who do you think was an NFL Cheerleader? Tune in to learn these answers, weird birthday facts, and why you shouldn't have sex on Valentine's Day....

Cynthia Ann; she’s our resident teaching artist. Perfectionist designer and decorator. She’ll keep us in line. She’s our “Diplomatic Cookier”.

Nancy; she wants everyone to learn, get along and be friends. She loves cookie gadgets! She is our “Rule Follower Cookier”

Sandra: she's resourceful and full of creative ideas for cookiers and she may cuss a little. She’s our “Innovative Cookier”.

Shari: she's usually behind the scenes of events and is blunt with opinions. Like Sandra, she’s sassy and may cuss a little. She’s our “Opinionated Cookier”.

Grab your lunch and join us!

Show Notes

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Cookie-A-Thon Prep; Behind the Scenes Jun 15, 2022

Show notes

One of our podcast hosts, Nancy Westfall, started Cookie-A-Thon on a random Sunday by asking if anyone in her club wanted to share a cookie tutorial. Little did she imagine that Cookiers were hungry for this! It was a great way to promote members of The Colorful Cookie Club and share techniques with each other. This one day afternoon event has now turned into a multi-day event that includes tutorials, sponsors, prizes, and exclusive discount codes for Cookiers. And one of the best parts is that it is FREE! The next Cookie-A-Thon will be Nancy's 8th and as she states, "It is a labor of love". Come listen to Nancy talk about what goes into planning this on line event, website, tutorials, emails, trainings, and more! She is magical!! You can register for Cookie-A-Thon in the show notes link. It is such a fun multi-day event!!

SHOW NOTES

COOKIE-A-THON https://www.cookieathon.com

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

https://www.cookieathon.com

Pressure to Come Up With New Techniques Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

In this episode we talk about trending techniques and how to stay on top of what is popular. What techniques or trends have you tried? Wet on wet? Embossed, or textured tissue paper? Continuous line drawing? Do our customers care about the trends, or is a Cookier thing? Come listen and see how each of us approach the latest trend, or if we try to stay on top of the trends. Let us know in the comments if you are a trend follower, trend creator, or neither. Come join us!

SHOW NOTES:

Please remember to subscribe and share our podcast.

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Take Care of YOU. How to avoid burnout Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

Running a cookie business is busier than most people think. We show a pretty finished product on our social media pages and websites, but there is a lot that happens behind the scenes. All of the details of running a business day to day can get overwhelming. In this episode we take about "Taking Care of You" and how you can take small steps to make your cookie day easier, productive, and still enjoy your cookies (and your family) at the end of the day! How do you juggle kids? a spouse? Crazy Orders? Tune in to see what we each do to avoid burnout.

Find us on Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie

https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie

https://www.instagram.com/thecolorfulcookie/

Know Your Worth May 25, 2022

Show notes

Do you often wonder what your skill level is worth? How to charge for cookies is such a popular conversation among cookiers. Does it depend on your skill level, cost of ingredients, geographic location, number of designs, or details in an order? We cover this and more in this episode. Come join us as we walk through how we take, process, and price our orders and cookie classes. Knowing your worth and making your business profitable is key!

Show Notes:

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cookiesforlunchpodcast

Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/cookiesforlunch

Find the Hosts of Cookies For Lunch Podcast on Social Media

Cynthia Ann Raven, SugarChat Cookie Studio https://www.facebook.com/sugarchatcookiestudio

https://www.instagram.com/sugarchatcookiestudio/

Sandra Segers, The Frosted Swirl Bake Shop https://www.facebook.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop

https://www.instagram.com/thefrostedswirlbakeshop/

Shari Weyrauch, Smart Cookies Bakery https://www.facebook.com/smartcookiesbakery

https://www.instagram.com/smartcookiesbakery/

Nancy Westfall, The Colorful Cookie https://www.facebook.com/thecolorfulcookie