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The Brooklyn-based owner of a small business Carmen Ladipo, her passion for baking took root early on. "I've always had a craving for sweets since I can remember," Carmen tells . "In the middle of school, I took an class that was similar to Home Economics, where we learned how to bake cookies. When I realized that I could sustain my cravings for sweet treats by myself and then it was over."
It wasn't until a few years afterwards that Carmen began to monetize that passion through a small-batch cookie ecommerce shop on the side. "I'd been moving from the city of my birth to New York City, and was trying to remember the best ways to connect with friends once I became mature," Carmen says. "I was able to join the local climbing club and used to bring snacks for climbing members and staff--indeed an effective strategy for making friends." After receiving "fervently encouraged" numerous times to sell cookies, Carmen took advantage of some extra time in between jobs to sign up her own business for food in Brooklyn.
"It began as an excuse for me to earn money to bake cookies for friends in the area on occasion," Carmen jokes. "But during the past five years Carmen's Cookies has grown into an online store that allows me to ship cookies all across the country for strangers as well as friends."
We spoke with Carmen about the ways she focuses on the environmental and social impacts of her business, how she manages her one-woman business with other tasks and duties, and about the tools that help Carmen's Cookies to run efficiently.
The importance of local communities and the impacts on society
Visitors to the Carmen's Cookies site and on social media are immediately greeted with the warm and welcoming nature of the brand. The tagline reads: "Providing happiness for your connection." Carmen's offerings include experimental seasonal flavors like matcha lemon. They also have traditional favorites like chocolate chips made of brown butter and orange clove. You only need to take a short glance at the reviews of her cookies to appreciate the joy her cookies have brought to consumers across the globe.
But right from the start that Carmen's Cookies was about much more than selling cookies. "I feel like food business owners are responsible to the environment and their communities in general to consider their impacts," Carmen says.
"There are many sources that go into making and selling food which require recognition and scrutiny so that they do the least harm unto the planet. To this end, I stay mindful of the source of my ingredients from, and what their producers are regarding their own impact on the environment and society." Carmen is transparent on her site about how she sources the ingredients she uses. She even includes an interactive tool to find out the source of her baking chocolate from.
But her dedication doesn't stop at that point. "It's crucial for me to discover ways to help support the ongoing efforts of food justice in the greater Brooklyn neighborhood," Carmen says.
"Every year, I choose one that is directly working with its community members for economic development as well as sustainable food production. I contribute a percentage of revenue from the year's sales to these charities since I wish for Carmen's Cookies to have an impact on the place it calls home." Customers are always able to visit the about page for more information about the places Carmen has donated part of the profits.
"As for our Carmen's Cookies community," Carmen adds, "it's been moving to see the customers unite in the support of various causes throughout time. Helping facilitate the donation of hundreds of dollars to various local and national organizations to support marginalized and food justice communities through cookie sales was a great highlight."