Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Cooke.
Hi Evelyn, 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?
Yes, of course. My journey has been one of faith and exploring what makes me happy. I was born and raised in New York City and for as far back as I can remember, I have always loved to draw, paint, sing, dance, and do just about anything artistic. I thought I would go to art school and follow that path, however, when it came time to apply for college and I needed to make my first grown-up decisions, I didn’t feel confident enough in my art to actually submit my portfolios. I then decided the safer more strategic path would be marketing – something that still allowed me to be creative but had the financial security of corporate America (yikes).
Fast forward to earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Howard University and starting a promising career at a multinational consumer goods company, I found myself again in a place to make some grown-up decisions. Although I was performing well, I knew I just wasn’t as happy in my career as my peers and I knew I had lost that feeling that art gave me.
What DID seem to energize me at the time was working with our in-house chefs and trying to re-create food items I saw online. At this time, I didn’t know the first thing about cooking but it was all so exciting just to try to figure it out. Then, in 2017 I decided to take a recreational cupcake decorating class at the International Culinary Center in Manhattan and everything changed. I discovered that so many of the techniques used in pastry mimicked the same techniques I had studied for so long as a visual artist. It came to me so easily that by the end of the class, other students asked me to decorate THEIR cupcakes and the staff was surrounding my table in awe of my skill. In art, we talk a lot about finding the medium or tool that best fits you, like acrylic paints, oil pastels, and more. I finally realized that pastry was and is my medium.
So, I enrolled and started school on my birthday.
While I was in school, I would post the things I was learning, and quickly people would begin to reach out, asking how much I would charge for the items I was sharing, and that’s how my business was born. Since those humble beginnings, so much has changed, I have grown so much, and I have developed an online store and business I am truly proud of.
In 2021, I decided to move my business to Georgia not only because of the pandemic and costs of living but because my mother had been diagnosed with dementia and was living in Decatur while two of my older siblings (who are also Morehouse alum) also lived nearby. I have already been received so well by my new loyal customers in Atlanta and West Georgia and I only see growth and opportunity from here as I enjoy this new chapter.
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?
Oh, not at all! I honestly think my biggest roadblock has been my ability to truly believe in myself and where I can take this business. I really didn’t set out to chase being a millionaire, I just wanted to be happier and also spread that happiness to others in the process. So what comes with building a business from that mindset can be a ton of imposter syndrome and comparison. For a long time, I was truly an artist and very sensitive about my work; however, I am now in a place where I am not afraid of failure or criticism. I am just trusting God to help me grow and learn how to navigate these new spaces with grace.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pastrie Art by Ev?
So my business operates under two main branches, my online shop and local event dessert catering.
My online store is where I am able to make, sell and ship my most popular chocolates, macarons, and other gluten-free items nationwide. My top-seller is a unique item you just can’t get anywhere else, my signature almond caramel squares which are made with toasted almonds coated in soft caramel and dipped in semi-sweet dark chocolate. This is truly an item that every single person that I have had try it has fallen in love with. With these items, I also offer corporate holiday gifting that can be customized to a brand’s needs.
I also love exploring local event catering by working with customers to help celebrate the sweet moments in life. Since I now have so much experience working in pastry, I have more techniques at my disposal to pull from to create what customers envision for their birthdays, weddings, bridal showers, and more.
I truly love my customers and put my heart into making them not have to worry about at least this part of their celebration.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think my faith is most important to my success. Not only does it attract the right people to my life and business, but there are just so many opportunities that have come my way that I can only that God for creating. As cheesy as it sounds, that’s really the only part of life that I know works every time.
Pricing:
- Try my signature almond caramel squares box of 9 – $15.99
- Signature almond caramel squares box of 18 – $29.99
- Try my Caramel Mous au Chocolat Truffles Box of 9 – $15.99
- Caramel Mous au Chocolat Truffles Box of 18 – $29.99
- Split Decision – order a box including a mixture of both top sellers for $15.99
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.pastrieart.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/_evcooks
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pastrieartbyev
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynrcooke/
