Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kirstyn Shaw, founder of The Very Best Cookie In The Whole Wide World, located in Marina Del Rey, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

The Very Best Cookie in the Whole Wide World is a direct-to-consumer online bakery that ships & delivers freshly baked nostalgic treats straight to your door. For anyone with a sweet tooth, we are elevating your favorite childhood treats by using high-quality ingredients, all handmade with love.

Tell us about yourself

The Very Best Cookie started during the very worst time in the whole wide world. Mid-pandemic-peak-human misery, I started making my famous chocolate chip cookies—a recipe I've been perfecting since high school—then going out, ringing the doorbells of friends, family, anyone, and leaving boxes of homemade hot, gooey cookies on people's stoops.

As predicted, cookies made people happy so happy that this hobby snowballed into powder-sugar coated demand as more and more folks asked WHERE I CAN GET THOSE COOKIES? I gotchu all. 😊

I am and have always been a people pleaser. What better way to please people than by feeding them delicious treats! Seeing my customer's happy faces when they try our goodies is what keeps me motivated when the going gets tough.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being profitable from year one. Not taking on debt and bootstrapping the whole way. And paying people well, we have an internal minimum wage of $25/hr. It's important to me as a business owner to pay an actual living wage in LA.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Financial instability. Even though technically we're profitable, I'm still not paying myself and instead investing that money back into the business. It can also be extremely isolating unless you're in a community of builders and entrepreneurs. Find your people; they'll be there to celebrate your wins and console and uplift you when it seems like there is no possible way to make things work.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Just get started, don't overthink it, or you'll end up in planning land eternally.
  2. Ask for help wherever you can.
  3. Outsource anything that cannot be done by you. Even if you're small, focus your time on aspects no one can do but you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I love helping others get started; DM me if you need any tips!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.theverybestcookieinthewholewideworld.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theverybestcookie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theverybestcookie/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/verybestcookie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstynshaw/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.