Dear Beloved Cookie Fam,
Where do I even begin with this announcement.... 2023 has been an amazing year of challenges and triumphs for many of us, small businesses like myself included. I have been so very fortunate to have been a part of this community for the last 5 years and as a business for the last almost 4 years!
I have grown so much as an artist, a business owner and as a person. This community has taught me SO much in terms of growth, and the ability to persevere through some of the most challenging times in my life.
As some of you may know, and for those of you who don't, I lost my 15 year career to the pandemic, and although it was dark days, I found something truly amazing here. I found a new career path that I became so passionate about, I didn't think that would be possible.
This business has been my everything the last few years. I've been so very fortunate to have been a part of some of the biggest milestones of my clients' lives in that time. Your birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and everything in between including my absolutely favourite.... The Letters to Santa Program - reading the letters from your littles and getting to play a part in keeping the magic of the holidays alive through Santa's Christmas card replies and cookies from Mrs. Claus kitchen....
Looking back, I have loved spending endless hours and sleepless nights creating, designing, baking, making and learning along the way to be a part of some of these moments in your lives, because at the end of the day - I love what I do.
This journey has not been without its blood, sweat, tears and made up swear words though. There's SO MUCH that happens behind the scenes as a small business owner. I often joke that running a cookie business is a labour of love and some days its more labour than love.
When I created Just Sugar Cookies I had no idea what it would become or evolve into. I went from a borrowed little green spatula to a fully stocked kitchen space, office and cookie room within a very short time span. The growing pains were very real and often scary - but without the support of this community I never would have become the entrepreneur I am today. It is a chapter in my life I am very proud to have be a part of my story.
With all of that said, it's time for a new chapter to begin.
Just Sugar Cookies will be transitioning into a cookie cutter, packaging etc.. supplier as of 2024 and no longer be accepting orders for decorated sugar cookies after the December 2023 holiday season.
Please understand that I did not come to this decision lightly or quickly, it is a necessary shift for this point in my life, albeit bittersweet and not without a few tears.... okay maybe more than a few and more to come once it truly hits me.
So what does this mean for the rest of 2023?
~ Seasonal Pre-Orders, bulk and wholesale orders are still available until the end of 2023 Holiday Season
~ Our Letters to Santa Program will launch earlier than usual this year to ensure we can manage the influx of Santa Letters to our PO Box. The estimated launch date is October 6th
~ Since October is my Birthday Month (yay!) ALL Seasonal Pre-Order items will be Buy One Get One 30% OFF when purchased in October!
~ My cookie inventory at local events will be doubling so my amazing Cookie Fam can stock up (YES! Cookies freeze up to 3 months!) The websites event calendar will have a list of all the local events you can find us at until the end of the year.
~ The website will slowly start undergoing changes over the next few months. If you happen to see that the website cant be reached - this wont be for extended or unplanned periods of time as the site can take a few moments to update. Any planned outages will be announced on social media ahead of time.
~ We've almost tripled our Cookie Decorating Classes this year, if you haven't registered yet - strongly recommend that you do as these will be our final classes. Register online at www.justsugarcookies.ca
For those of you wondering what happens to the cookie baking and making portion of the business. I will be selling this part of the business as a whole. The equipment, tools, ingredients with a long shelf life, the cookie cutters, baking sheets etc... I will be doing inventory over the next few months and put together a price point for the package in case there is anyone interested in starting a cookie business.
So what is the next chapter going to be?
This has been a very emotional question to answer as its so hard to image not doing cookies anymore. It's been such a huge part of my life the last few years. Truth be told I do have another business.
My largest focus s to travel while I still can and taking a chance on myself for something new and exciting.
For those of you who have heard, I operate Kismet and Soul. A small digital and social media company that started with the sole purpose of helping other small businesses or those that are on the fence of taking that leap. Website design, social media content creation and a wide range of printed materials (business cards, packaging, banners etc..), I want to offer affordable solutions for small businesses and home based entrepreneurs.
Its a big step starting something new, and while I have no idea what will happen, I know what I want to see happen and the goals I have for myself as I take on this new enterprise.
I can only hope that over the next few months I will see you at upcoming events here in Prince George. Please stop by and say hi, come get a card for the new business, browse the cookies as always and make sure to stay tuned for some upcoming business classes we plan to host very soon!
Thank you for everything Prince George - let the countdown begin!
Your Cookie Lady,
Mia
Founder
Just Sugar Cookies
www.justsugarcookies.ca