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Meet Susan and Laura Stachler of Susansnaps in Sandy Springs

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan and Laura Stachler.

Susan and Laura, please share your story with us.
My mom, Laura and I own Susansnaps – a specialty gingersnap cookie company. I know it seems a bit crazy having a company based solely on gingersnaps, but so is the story how we got started.

At twenty-two, a week before my college graduation, I was diagnosed with cancer. Not exactly, what I was planning for life after graduation. But, I’ve come to learn that life is full of surprises… including now, owning a gingersnap cookie company and recently writing a book.

Susansnaps are a labor of love that was developed after my mom watched my Dad and me, Susan (named for my Aunt Susan who died from cancer at 28) undergo chemo within the same year. Ginger is a natural stomach soother and cookies always have a way to bring smiles, so through my mom’s small baking company, she created the ultimate gingersnap recipe. While my mom perfected her snaps, I designed the logos and packaging. As the cookies were becoming popular, my mom coined them “Susansnaps” in memory of her sister, Sue (who died from Hodgkin’s) and in honor of me (who beat Hodgkin’s at 22). What started as a little idea has grown into something much bigger than we ever expected. Today, my mom and I work side by side running Susansnaps. We bake the most delicious gourmet gingersnaps in five fabulous flavors, ship nationwide, have a charming retail shop and bakery in Atlanta.

Our gingersnaps are baked fresh daily with the perfect blend of spices, dark molasses, and topped with sparkling, sugar crystals giving just the right snap. Susansnaps have become famous both locally and nationwide: featured most recently in Good Housekeeping Magazine and on The Rachael Ray Show. Our charming shop and bakery is in Atlanta, GA and our cookies are available for shipping around the country. We’ve found there’s something extra special about Susansnaps – they share a story of hope that brings smiles.

We’re also authors and are excited to share our book, The Cookie Cure: mother-daughter memoir of cancer to cookies was recently published by Sourcebooks. It’s about learning to carry on with things get tough and letting life take you places you can never imagine. It’s written in my voice with a letter from my mom to her sister, Sue woven throughout. It’s a heartwarming, moving and entertaining story. Kirkus Review says The Cookie Cure is, “Endearing… tale of love, hope, and courage. A sweet story.” We promised you it’s a good read.

Has it been a smooth road?
We started Susansnaps very small out of the family garage that was converted into a commercial kitchen. The first 30,000 gingersnaps were made with a mini ice-cream scoop. It took a lot of trial and error to grow one cookie in one red tin to where we are today with over five flavors of gingersnaps and multiple packaging options and a book too. Our biggest struggle along the way was learning time management. Owning your own business is never ending and you take on a lot of responsibilities and roles, so my mom and I had to work on finding a balance.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Susansnaps story. Tell us more about the business.
At Susansnaps, we specialize in baking the most heavenly gourmet gingersnap cookies that melt in your mouth. We have a variety of delicious flavors and fun gift packaging options. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail. Each order and every customer is important to us. Our family values and old-fashion customer service sets Susansnaps a part.

What we’re most proud of with Susansnaps is how it’s evolved over the years to be a cookie with a story that has come to mean something. We had no idea when we scooped our first gingersnap that it would reach people all over the country as a cookie that brings smiles and a message of hope. We are shipping “thinking of you”, “get well”, “birthday” gifts, etc… every day and getting to be a part of bringing smiles to other people’s family and friends means so much to us.

Recently adding our book, The Cookie Cure into the mix has been exciting for us too. Our hope is that our story inspires others that anything is possible….you’re stronger than you think.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There will also be a need for delicious cookies and Susansnaps are just that! Ginger is also a stomach soother and cookies have a way of making things just a bit better, so Susansnaps make a nice gift for family and friends going through cancer treatment. We’ve created our own little niche for gourmet gingersnap gifts and we plan to be around for awhile.

Pricing:

  • Susansnaps start at $6.95 for the Snack Pack and go up to our Tower of Tins at $77.95
  • Variety Box with all five flavors: original, cocoa, citrus, nutty & aloha is most popular $26.95
  • A winning combination: Our book: The Cookie Cure paired with a bakery box of our signature Susansnaps $21.95
  • Bakery Box is the best selling item $10.95 for 20 cookies

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Jenica Roger @PinkShoePhotography

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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