Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiriakos (Rocco) Kastikides.
Hi Rocco, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am 15 years old right now and started my business several years ago when I lived in Texas because I have always been entrepreneurial and I liked baking cookies with my dad. I first started selling them at the community center in my neighborhood. Maryland is home, and I moved back to Maryland in 2024 and had to start over. I started selling at the market at The Station in Severna Park and then grew to sell at different markets and online orders. I’m very proud of my business and I hope that I can earn enough to procure a commercial kitchen and start making cookies to sell in retail. I come from a family that loves to cook and bake, and I enjoy making cookies. My business is named after the Colossus of Rhodes, which is where my family is from in Rhodes, Greece. My YiaYia was a great cook and baker, and my grandfather even worked for Dunkin’ Donuts after coming to America. So, baking is in my DNA.
As my business has grown these past two years, I was featured in Baltimore Magazine as one of the Junior Achievement of Central Maryland 18 Under 18 winners, and I recently won the Acton Children’s Business Fair for having a business with potential to grow. I am very proud of these achievements.
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?
It can be tough starting over, and also I am still a student. I have to work around school and soccer commitments, but I try to make as many markets as I can. Sometimes balancing online orders can be challenging when I have school work, but my business is growing, and I am very proud of it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Colossus Cookie Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Colossus Cookie Company is my business, and I make colossal, delicious cookies with fresh, premium ingredients. I have several flavors including Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Reese’s, Churro, Sprinkle (a birthday cake flavor), Pumpkin White Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, and Double Chocolate. I make other flavors on occasion like a Christmas Chip, but those are my main cookies. What sets my cookies apart is that they are large and they taste amazing. Everyone loves them, and these flavors are a hit. I’m extremely proud of my business. Starting a business is hard work, and at 15, it is hard to navigate business with school, sports, my commitment to my church and the Greek Orthodox Youth of America group in which I participate, but I love making cookies and seeing people enjoy them. I want readers to know that you can get Colossus Cookies at local markets, but I will also deliver in the region and can make custom orders or orders with custom packaging.
I was recently featured in Baltimore Magazine as one the Junior Achievement of Central Maryland 18 Under 18, and I was the winner in my age group for the Acton Children’s Business Fair in April 2026 for having a business with potential to grow.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
At 15, I’m still growing up, but I have always been entrepreneurial. I once convinced my parents to buy sneaker drops from Nike so I could sell them, since they only made so many. But, I love making cookies and growing my business as best I can. When I am not baking or selling cookies, I play club soccer for Liverpool FC Central Maryland and Christos, and I play basketball for the Greek Orthodox Youth of America league at my church, Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. I’ve always been interested in building and making things. I’ve loved Legos and playing with cars as a kid, and now I still enjoy challenging Lego sets or seeing how things are made. I’m very proud of my Greek heritage. My family is from Rhodes, Greece, and I am learning Greek language and enjoy participating in cultural events.
Pricing:
- Each cookie I sell is $2.00, but I sell in combinations for 3 for 6, 6 for 12 and 12 for 20
- I also offer custom orders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colossuscookies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colossuscookiecompany
