How I Made $100k In 10 Months From My Cookie Business
How I Made $100k In 10 Months From My Cookie Business
Oct 3, 2024
Maura Duggan
Maura Duggan
● 4 min
● 4 min
Revenue/year
Revenue/year
$5 Million
$5 Million
$5 Million
No. of founders
No. of founders
1
1
1
Startup costs
Startup costs
N/A
N/A
N/A
Contents
How it started
How it started
In 2004, with a degree in neuroscience and a career as a researcher for an education nonprofit, Maura Duggan felt something was missing. She loved her job but craved a creative outlet. What began as baking cookies to reconnect with her roots and bring in a little extra income soon became Fancypants Baking Co., a cookie company that skyrocketed from her condo kitchen to generating $100,000 in just 10 months.
In 2004, with a degree in neuroscience and a career as a researcher for an education nonprofit, Maura Duggan felt something was missing. She loved her job but craved a creative outlet. What began as baking cookies to reconnect with her roots and bring in a little extra income soon became Fancypants Baking Co., a cookie company that skyrocketed from her condo kitchen to generating $100,000 in just 10 months.
Finding Inspiration in Family Traditions
Finding Inspiration in Family Traditions
Inspired by memories of baking with her mother and grandmother, Maura turned her passion into something tangible. She started experimenting with recipes in her tiny kitchen after long workdays, juggling a growing family, friends as taste-testers, and countless hours refining her craft. Her side hustle wasn’t just about making ends meet—it was about creating something that truly resonated with her personal history.
Inspired by memories of baking with her mother and grandmother, Maura turned her passion into something tangible. She started experimenting with recipes in her tiny kitchen after long workdays, juggling a growing family, friends as taste-testers, and countless hours refining her craft. Her side hustle wasn’t just about making ends meet—it was about creating something that truly resonated with her personal history.
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➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
From Kitchen to Bakery Business
From Kitchen to Bakery Business
Baking was the easy part. Turning it into a business? That was a different story. The initial steps included securing a kitchen license, setting up a bank account, and navigating the complex world of insurance. Pricing was a critical decision—how do you balance using premium ingredients with a price point that allows for growth? Maura made it work, and within just three months, she was ready to quit her job and dive into Fancypants full-time.
Baking was the easy part. Turning it into a business? That was a different story. The initial steps included securing a kitchen license, setting up a bank account, and navigating the complex world of insurance. Pricing was a critical decision—how do you balance using premium ingredients with a price point that allows for growth? Maura made it work, and within just three months, she was ready to quit her job and dive into Fancypants full-time.
Challenges of Running a Cookie Empire
Challenges of Running a Cookie Empire
Managing Fancypants wasn’t a walk in the park. The 12-15 hour workdays, raising two kids, and running a business meant Maura had to break down her massive to-do list into smaller, manageable chunks. Support from friends and family was a game-changer—whether it was delivering cookies or providing moral support.
While she didn’t fully understand the complexities of manufacturing at the start, her educational background came in handy. Maura built a network of industry experts, store owners, and suppliers to learn the ropes and found herself gaining confidence and trusting her instincts.
Managing Fancypants wasn’t a walk in the park. The 12-15 hour workdays, raising two kids, and running a business meant Maura had to break down her massive to-do list into smaller, manageable chunks. Support from friends and family was a game-changer—whether it was delivering cookies or providing moral support.
While she didn’t fully understand the complexities of manufacturing at the start, her educational background came in handy. Maura built a network of industry experts, store owners, and suppliers to learn the ropes and found herself gaining confidence and trusting her instincts.
From Side Hustle to Full-Fledged Business
From Side Hustle to Full-Fledged Business
Fancypants wasn’t just a quick side hustle success—it grew fast. Within the first year, the company had raked in nearly $100,000. Fast forward to today, and the business has evolved into a multi-million-dollar brand. Initially focused on wholesale, Fancypants now offers consumer-facing products as well, with top-line annual sales between $5 and $10 million. Their newest product line of crispy cookies is expected to bring in $1 million in 2024 alone.
Fancypants wasn’t just a quick side hustle success—it grew fast. Within the first year, the company had raked in nearly $100,000. Fast forward to today, and the business has evolved into a multi-million-dollar brand. Initially focused on wholesale, Fancypants now offers consumer-facing products as well, with top-line annual sales between $5 and $10 million. Their newest product line of crispy cookies is expected to bring in $1 million in 2024 alone.
What Makes It All Worth It
What Makes It All Worth It
For Maura, running Fancypants is about more than just cookies and revenue. It’s about the excitement of trying new things—one day might be spent on sales, the next testing recipes. But what truly drives her is working with people: customers, team members, and store buyers. Fancypants’ commitment to its team is real—offering above minimum wage, benefits, and proudly manufacturing in Massachusetts.
For Maura, running Fancypants is about more than just cookies and revenue. It’s about the excitement of trying new things—one day might be spent on sales, the next testing recipes. But what truly drives her is working with people: customers, team members, and store buyers. Fancypants’ commitment to its team is real—offering above minimum wage, benefits, and proudly manufacturing in Massachusetts.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Her advice to others? Find your niche and believe in it. Build a strong network of peers and advisors who can help guide you. And most importantly, don’t underestimate the value of face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world. Networking doesn’t just open doors—it’s also key to fighting the isolation that can come with entrepreneurship.
Her advice to others? Find your niche and believe in it. Build a strong network of peers and advisors who can help guide you. And most importantly, don’t underestimate the value of face-to-face connections in an increasingly digital world. Networking doesn’t just open doors—it’s also key to fighting the isolation that can come with entrepreneurship.
Full Interview
Full Interview
Full interview posted on Entrepreneur
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Full interview posted on Entrepreneur
I share more of these case studies in my newsletter and I'd love for you to join here 😊
Do me a favor and pass this on to a friend or share on X/reddit? It'll take just 20 seconds—this one took me about 7 hours to research and write 🫠
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
