Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Ferguson.
Jasmine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
CompacT by Jazz started unexpectedly. On May 1st, I made my first successful batch of cookies. Growing up, my aunt would bake chocolate chip cookies to sell at church. My love for homemade cookies started with my aunt. My cousins and I would have sleepovers at her house. While we were there, we would bake cookies. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2015. After her passing, I was determined to bring back the joy I felt as a kid when she walked in church with a white container filled with chocolate chip cookies.
Five years later, I finally produced a successful batch of cookies. I allowed my family to try the cookies, and they loved them. My brother loved the cookies so much that he made an announcement about them. Before he even finished his announcement, people started turning around asking me to make cookies and bring them to church the next Sunday. I planned to give the cookies away, but they wanted to buy them. On May 31st, I sold cookies for the first time and sold out of cookies in less than an hour. I named my business CompacT by Jazz and capitalized the T in honor of my Aunt Thelma. I would not have started this journey if it were not for her.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are a lot of easy things in life, but starting a business is not one of them. Starting CompacT by Jazz is probably the hardest thing that I have ever done. I would say my struggles in business have had more to do with my mental space. Sometimes, I compare my business to others and feel like I am not good enough. I had to learn to be happy at every stage of my growing process. I am learning to embrace where I am now, while still working towards where I want to be. There have been days when I said, “I quit.” Every time I quit mentally, I got another order or a message from a customer about how much they loved their cookies. Every day, I have to wake up determined to push past any negative thoughts and emotions. The process of building my dream has been all about learning to keep pushing.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about CompacT By Jazz – what should we know?
CompacT by Jazz is a home-based cookie company. Cookies are currently available for pickup. Shipping, as well as vegan cookies, will be available soon.
CompacT by Jazz offers several cookie flavors including chocolate chip, chocolate chip brownie, pecan chocolate chip, pecan chocolate chip brownie, white chocolate chip Oreo, chocolate chip Oreo, Oreo, and Oreo brownie. White chocolate chip Oreo has been a customer favorite since the beginning. Customers have also loved the brownie cookies which include a brownie baked into the center of the cookie.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
CompacT by Jazz is absolutely nothing without my loyal and supportive customers. They have supported me in ways that I could not have imagined. I have to give a shout out to my parents, siblings, and Kathiana LeJeune.
I appreciate my mom for investing in me. The first time I sold cookies I was so sure I was going to be broke after buying everything that I needed. It turns out that my mom purposely sent me to get something, so she could pay for my stuff. She paid for it separately and made it look like she actually used my card, but she didn’t. I am so grateful that my sweet mother believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
I appreciate my siblings for being my walking, talking billboards. Nobody would even know I made cookies if it weren’t for my little brother making his infamous announcement. My first customer was my sister.
I appreciate my dad for being my quality control even when I don’t ask him to.
Last but not least my fellow DECA Knight, Kathiana LeJeune. I will forever be grateful for Kathiana thinking of me for this opportunity.
Pricing:
- Chocolate Chip- $1.25
- Pecan Chocolate Chip- $1.25
- Chocolate Chip Brownie- $1.75
- Pecan Chocolate Chip Brownie- $1.75
- Chocolate Chip Oreo- $1.25
- White Chocolate Chip Oreo- $1.25
- Oreo- $1.25
- Oreo Brownie- $2.00
Contact Info:
- Email: compactbyjazz@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compactbyjazz/?hl=en
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