Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Sumrack
Hi Julie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It was a November day in 2019 when visited New York City for the first time. It was a dream to explore the Big Apple, and it felt surreal to do it alongside my best friend, Lishy, The air was already filled with holiday excitement and the sound of laughter. Our NYC adventure led us to Levain Bakery, famous for its oversized chocolate chip cookies. We patiently waited an hour, watching other cookie-lovers leave the cute shop with big smiles and even bigger cookies.
When we finally had our cookies—a perfect blend of gooey chocolate and soft, warm dough—we couldn’t help but smile. With cups of steaming coffee in hand, we made our way to Central Park, sharing the best cookie we had ever tasted. We laughed and knew we’d always remember this memory.
Fast forward six months, and the world had changed dramatically as we were in the middle of pandemic. I was engulfed in fear and sadness, when a photo from that beautiful day sparked a flame of inspiration. Remembering the joy of friendship, I decided to create my version of the world’s best chocolate chip cookies to share joy during these uncertain times even though I’d never baked a single sweet treat before.
With my curious three-year-old son, Max, by my side, we experimented in the kitchen, laughing along the way. Each batch was lovingly placed in bags, accompanied by a note that read: “Bringing you a little joy during this hard time. We’re all in this together, stay hopeful!
As we ventured through our new neighborhood, leaving cookies on doorsteps, we made new connections and created smiles. Each treat drop-off became of little glimpse of joy between neighbors. My aspiration to spread joy “one cookie at a time” flourished, and my salty cookies became symbols of resilience, reminding me of power of community born from that unforgettable fall day in New York City. Today, my baking experiment has blossomed into a little side hustle—JuJu’s Cookies.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey to JuJu’s Cookies has been a fulfilling path, serving as a creative outlet for me. By day, I’m a Chief People Officer for a healthcare start-up, a mom to my amazing 7-year-old son, and a wife to the love of my life, Matt. This cookie business has given me the space to focus on myself and embrace my creativity, meeting so many new friends along the way. I’m mindful about setting boundaries to ensure that I don’t overextend myself with this side hustle. Keeping the fun alive in my cookie business is essential to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about JuJu’s Cookies ?
At JuJu’s Cookies, we specialize in creating deliciously unique cookies that bring joy to our community. Our menu includes our salty chocolate chip cookies, which are crafted to perfection with a balance of sweet and savory flavors. We’re also known for our creative twists, such as salty white chocolate pistachio and salty brown butter white chocolate banana cookies. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and the personal touch that goes into every batch.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the sense of community that JuJu’s Cookies has fostered. It’s not just about selling cookies; it’s about building connections and sharing kindness. I’ve met so many incredible customers along the way that share in my joy for the perfect chocolate chip cookie.
How do you think about luck?
JuJu’s Cookies has been a testament to hard work and perseverance—no luck, just hustle. Every step of this journey has come from dedication, creativity, and a genuine desire to bring joy to others. Through late nights of baking and early mornings of delivery, I’ve poured my heart into crafting cookies that my customers can enjoy.
Pricing:
- $25 per dozen
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jujus.cookies.joy
