Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamilia Thomas.
Hi Jamilia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Four years ago, at the time, I was a Lead Special Investigator for the Department of Family and Children Services. I was working insane hours in the pandemic. Dealing with Child Deaths, Serious Injuries, School Investigations, and Family Preservation Cases, I needed something that would take my mind off of work. Although working with children and families was and still is a passion of mine, I needed an outlet. I needed to create a space that didn’t require urgency. 24/7, all my mind was focused on was ensuring safety, mitigating safety threats, and strengthening families in the areas of their weaknesses. Baking was therapeutic, and it gave me the opportunity to escape my reality. Making cupcakes was actually my first love, which somehow transitioned into baking cookies. Cookies challenged me and I was up for the challenge!
Let’s rewind: when I was a little girl, I used to binge-watch Cake Boss and any type of cooking show. I always said that I wanted to become a baker/cook as a side hustle when I grew up. Not to mention, I came from a lineage of cooks. My grandmother, the late Mrs. Rosie Smart, was “the cook” and held her own brick-and-mortar “Rosie’s Buffet” for 14 years.
Now let’s fast forward to my co-worker Jakeya at the time, who became more like a sister, and I created a buddy system at work. We went out on cases together which also allowed me to get to know her family. I would make cookies for her children just to see if I was really gifted in baking or if I needed to stick with my day job. We all know children are brutally honest! More honest than we would like! Jakeya would call me with her children on the phone to give me their feedback. When they approved them, I was like okay I may have something here. I began making cookies for my family, who were giving me the same feedback as Jakeya’s family. A year and a half would pass, I was still baking and started baking as a hobby for other people. Everyone that I encountered started saying, “You should turn this into a business!” “Your cookies are just that good”. I was scared, nervous, and a bit doubtful. Nevertheless, I took the leap of faith on April 14, 2022. This was the day that “It’s Cookie-tastic Online Bakery” was born. This was definitely a “God” thing.
Here I am two years in, certified, licensed, and insured as a Food Establishment for the State of Georgia. I am beyond grateful for my Support System who genuinely wants to see me flourish. I am truly appreciative of my parents, siblings, my Apostle, and friends!
“If God is for you, than who can be against you!” It has been a journey! I am still navigating through this entrepreneurship lifestyle with hard work, dedication, consistency, sleepless nights, perseverance, prayer…. much prayer, but I would not change anything for the journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not; however, it has been worth the journey. Nothing worth having seldom comes easy. I have encountered many obstacles navigating through this entrepreneurship journey. There have been many moments I wanted to quit but you owe it to yourself to see what the fight was all about. It takes hard work, grit, a strong support system, your faith and believing in yourself to keep going no matter what.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about It’s Cookie-tastic Bakery?
My name is Jamilia S. Thomas, and I am the owner and baker of It’s Cookie-tastic Bakery. Our goal and mission is to provide an unforgettable experience by ” making every bite count”. We strive to provide great customer service and a quality homemade/made-from-scratch product utilizing high-end ingredients. We specialize in gourmet and regular cookies, brownies, and rice krispies. Its’ Cookie-tastic Bakery is “BIG” on presentation. Not only do we provide a quality product, but we are known to provide excellent packaging, and if you need it personalized, we can provide that, too! We love that our customers get to experience both.
What am I most proud of? I did not give up on myself. I did not quit, even when the odds felt like they were against me. Let be honest, running is business is hard work. You work harder for yourself than you work for any other employer. There’s no days off especially when you trying to get your business off the ground. It’s definitely not the easy way out, but it’s rewarding. I am very passionate about baking. I love to bring happiness through the products that I create. I had an awesome example, my grandmother, the late Ms. Rosie Smart, who taught me through her life as a restaurant owner of 14 years that quitting wasn’t an option. To show up for yourself each and every day, no matter what comes your way. Our most recent proudest moment was when we got the opportunity to be the only marketplace bakery vendor at the 2023 Forbes BLK Summit here in Atlanta, Georgia. What an absolute honor that was!
Last, We take great pride in delivering a great quality product that our customers can truly enjoy. As I stated before, we want to leave our customers with an unforgettable experience by “making every bite count”. What sets It’s Cookie-tastic Bakery apart is that we put a lot of love and creativity in our brand. Did I mention? Our products are made from scratch. We strive to give our best at all times. If it is not right, we will not put it out.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Do your research when looking for a mentor. Finding a mentor who is passionate about assisting you with excelling your baby (your business) is vital. Shoutout to my mentor “The Entrepreneur’s Midwife, Monica Pope. My mentor was able to provide me with a monthly strategic plan that aided a stronger foundation in my business. Her expertise was confirmation that I was on the right track of what God had planned for It’s Cookie-tastic Bakery.
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Image Credits
Mel B. Elder Jr.
