Daily Inspiration: Meet Chealsey Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chealsey Williams.

Hi Chealsey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Chealsey’s Cookie Jar is an online cookie shop based in the heart of Clarksville, Tennessee. What began as a hobby, baking cookies for family and friends, shortly after became a small business for others to enjoy in 2018. I first started making classic chocolate chip cookies, and once I got the hang of it, I then adventured off into mixing other ingredients and creating different flavors! That’s where the ‘Cookie Jar’ comes into play; in a cookie jar, you can find a variety of cookie flavors. Once I got the hang of my classic cookies, I then pushed myself to try and create decorated sugar cookies. My first attempt was an epic fail, but I remember my Aunt telling me to keep trying. They will get better. Sure enough, I did not give up, and I kept trying new/different flavors and different techniques that would work best for me. And as they say, “practice makes perfect” next thing I know, everyone was interested in trying some. I was always looking for a way to expand my clientele, so I was referred to do my first local event, “The Chocolate Affair,” and little did I know that my business would shortly take off. I was able to get my name and business out to many locals. While at the Chocolate Affair, one of the vendors recommended that I join to be a vendor at our local Farmer’s Market. So taking a big leap of faith, I applied for the Farmer’s Market and was accepted to be a vendor. This was a massive help with the expansion of my business, taking it to the next level, to where I was taking orders and filling up the majority of my weekends with orders. I have been taking continuous orders ever since, with plans to expand even more!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would be lying if I said it was a smooth road. Although it has not been quite the smoothest road, I continue to keep pressing through. My personal life did not stop throughout the years of having my business, and my personal life did not stop. While my business was at its peak, what was projected to be one of my busiest holiday seasons came to a complete halt when I discovered I would be adding on to my family (I was pregnant!) I was determined not to let that stop me and to continue pushing through. Still, my baby girl (in my belly) had different plans, and I was the sick majority of my first trimester, so I could not complete all of the orders I thought I was going to be able to do. That is when I decided to take a step back and reduce my order. I feel that my taking that step back was a massive impact on my business. After having my daughter, I was hesitant to retake orders, but my sister encouraged me to get back to it, so a month later, I found myself taking/fulfilling orders. As a wife and mother of 3 it had its challenges. Still, with everyone around me encouraging, supporting, praying, and pushing me, I recovered from that dip in the road and made the most money I had ever made throughout my business!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do all things cookie-related! I make/sell cookie dough, cookie dough truffles, classic cookies, cookie cakes, and decorated sugar cookies. The most popular now are my custom-decorated cookies. Where customers can personalize sugar cookies to best match their needs in their favorite cookie flavor and icing flavor. I am most proud of how far I have come in my decorated cookies, and they have become a big hit! What sets me apart is the variety of cookie flavors that I offer. I offer a variety of flavors in my classic cookies, such as Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie, Butterscotch Pretzel, Espresso Chocolate chip, and my most popular, Pistachio Chocolate Chip, to name a few. My decorated sugar cookies come in various flavors, including Classic Sugar, Chocolate Sugar, and Strawberry. My customers love how they have the option to customize their orders.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
My advice to those just starting would be to keep going and not give up on what you love doing! Keep stepping out on faith and trust God and allow Him to guide you. Before making this an actual business, I wish I had known more about the business side. I was used to just doing what I love best, creating tasty cookies, and not necessarily keeping in mind the business part of it all—knowing that it is all on me to do, unlike other businesses who may have other employees fulfilling those positions. I am doing it all myself. So I am the baker, the accountant, the marketing committee, and everything else all in one. So I wish I had known more information in those different areas before starting.

Pricing:

• Classic Cookies: $ 8.00 (per half dozen)
• Decorated Cookies: $20.00 (per half dozen)
• Cookie Dough: $10.00 (16 oz.) $20.00 (32 oz.0
• Cookie Cakes: $15.00 (9 in.) $20.00 (11 in.)
• Custom Cookie Cakes: starting at $30.00 (11 in.)

Contact Info:

• Email: ccj@chealseyscookiejar.com
• Website: www.chealseyscookiejar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_chealseyscookiejar/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChealseysCookieJar/

Image Credits
Ashleigh Steffans Photography