Daily Inspiration: Meet Melanie Lewis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Lewis.

Hi Melanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
In 2018 a few months after my first daughter was born I was looking for something that I could do in the evenings that was just for myself. I decided to take a Halloween cookie class from a local bakery, and I fell in love with every part of it. It opened my eyes to a whole new world and was exactly what I was looking for. I loved how a simple cookie could be made into an edible form of art and that there were endless creative possibilities.

I began to research different techniques and learned so much by following other cookiers on social media platforms. I put my research into practice, trying recipes, working on icing consistencies, and buying all the supplies. I began to realize I wanted it to become more than just a hobby, and so with the encouragement of my friends and the support of my husband, in June 2019 my business Sweet Dreams Cookiery was born.

In the beginning, I was making and bringing cookies to everyone and every event I could. I posted on social media to spread the word about my new business, and I began to build a clientele. With each set of cookies I made, the better I became. I made cookies for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, baby and bridal showers, engagements, graduations, and more. I sold my cookies at craft fairs, and I did holiday presales where I would design cookies for a specific holiday and customers could purchase them.

As the years went by the designs became steadily more intricate and I began to advance my techniques. Now 3 and a half years later, I have made and designed thousands of cookies and I have a wonderful group of clients who continue to support me and refer me to all of their friends and family. I never dreamed that my little business could become what it is today, it is one of the greatest joys of my life getting to share my cookies and art with others.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest struggles was getting my business off the ground and getting the word out to people about it. I struggled in the beginning to find people who wanted to buy my cookies. I had to do a lot of leg work to get my name out there. One of the greatest lessons I learned was charging my worth and knowing that my cookies were not for everyone and that that was okay.

Finding the right price was difficult and as I increased my prices I did lose some customers. However, I also found that people were willing to pay the price because they loved my cookies and they wanted them for their special occasions.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a stay-at-home mom and a part-time local baker that specializes in decorating cookies for all occasions. I work in the evenings when my kids are asleep. I do everything myself, I interact with my customers, plan the designs, and bake, decorate, and package my cookies. Although my two little girls do play an important role as my cookie taste testers. I am known for my signature vanilla sugar cookies that not only taste delicious but look beautiful as well. I am also known for my custom designs.

I have made hundreds of sets of cookies and no two were the same and that is something I am most proud of. I work hard to customize the cookies to my customer’s vision and to incorporate their ideas. I love being able to be a part of so many people’s special occasions in this way. I think what sets me apart from others is my passion for the art I am creating. I put so much thought and preparation into each cookie set, and I strive to make my customer’s cookie dreams come true.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My passion for my business is a key factor to my success and it is what drives me. There have been many hard and long nights, but I never thought of giving it up because it become more than just a hobby or a business. It is something that I love. It is something that I crave, and that has become so important to me that I cannot imagine my life without it.

Pricing:

• Regular sized Cookies- $50/dozen
• Mini Cookies – $27/dozen
• Chocolate Chip Cookie cakes- $45

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sweet-dreams-cookiery.square.site/
• Instagram: @sweet.dreams.cookiery
• Facebook: @Sweet Dreams Cookiery

Image Credits
Natalie Searle Yoshida