Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Simmons.
Hi Kelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I, like many other Baltimore City children, would get money to purchase the Butter Crunch Cookies in school. That was a highlight during lunchtime. When I moved out of state and couldn’t find that same taste, I went to my Grandmother to work on a substitute. She was one of those countries down south cooks and came through in high fashion!!! In the meantime, I pursued my passion for hair and spent over 20 years (in NYC, PA, & MD) in the beauty industry. I was a salon owner, celebrity stylist, and educator.
In all that time, I was baking treats for them and of course, my nieces and nephews. I wanted to reconnect with the memories of my late grandmother who provided me as a youth with homemade goodies. I’ve always felt it added a special smile to the day. I never thought that I would make a business out of it! It wasn’t until I was an Educator in 2017 that my students suggested I start selling my cookies. Up until then, only my family, friends, and clients had the opportunity to experience my Cookies. I started with an online business first and as they say, the rest is history!
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 was challenging to start a new business in a different profession. Moving back to the city, I had to secure a short-term investor, location, permits, staff, and gain a following that loved homemade cookies like me.
Of course, Covid-19 was an obstacle for everyone. We had to figure out how to continue with services in uncertain times. We focused first on the online and delivery. Then returned to previous operations with the new guidelines in place.
As you know, we’re big fans of Aunt Kelly’s Cookies Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Aunt Kelly’s Cookies specializes in fresh, mouth-watering, homemade from scratch cookies. We are known for our Butter Crunch Cookie varieties. Classic Butter Crunch, Butter Crunch Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan. We also serve Snickerdoodle, Oatmeal Raisin, Classic Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chocolate Brownie, and Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies. We also offer a feature Cookie of the Month. We never use outside manufactured cookie dough.
All of our Cookies are made in-house from family recipes. Basic ingredients you would find in your kitchen. No Preservatives or Additives that you can’t pronounce. We are a Traditional Fresh Bakery that bakes fresh cookies daily with a cut-off time. Our motto is, “You Can’t Replace That Homemade Taste!” We ship Nationwide through our website.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Likes; comedy, nature, family, Foodie.
Dislikes; intolerance, inauthenticity, bugs, chemically tasting food.
Contact Info:
- Email: Ksimmons410@gmail.com
- Website: Www.auntkellyscookies.com
- Instagram: Auntkellyscookies
- Facebook: Auntkellyscookies
