Location, location, location

My first week of not working 9-5 is almost done, and I've gotten quite a bit done. I met with the Toronto Business Development Incubator on Monday afternoon, and was basically told that I needed to add about another 10 pages on my already 30-page business plan. Oye. More detail? I thought I had given enough, but apperently not so much.

Also, this week a goal for myself - to secure a location and sign a conditional lease. Well, I did, in fact find a perfect spot - and I mean absolutely perfect. Comes fully renovated and is just gorgeous - moldings, pot lights and even a walk-in cooler and production area, plus a finished basement! But a few hours after speaking to my realtor about putting in an offer, I was told that the landlord was weary about food uses. She was also super skeptical because the former tenant had bailed after 8 months. I didn't get to speak with her directly, but if I did I think I would all but cry to her about just how committed I am, and how passionate I am about this business. It is, afterall, my dream.

On another note, because I haven't been doing the deliveries myself for quite some time (my hubby has been the official TDC delivery boy up until this week), I almost forgot the look on people's faces when they see the products for the first time. Today, I delivered a 'get well soon' gift basket, and just loved the expression on the woman's face when she saw it (it was for her husband). She was absolutely delighted, which in turn, made me feel amazing. And that, after all, is what it's all about. Making other people happy makes me happy. It's just that simple.

And so, I will keep my fingers crossed about this location, and take comfort in the fact that if it's meant to be, it will be. If not, I will find something else. But damn, I really loved those moldings!

So it's only Wednesday, but already I am in dire need of the weekend to be able to get some work done on the business. Wait, how does that make sense? Work should be done during the workweek, no? Ah yes, but this is not always the case when you're an entrepreneur! I still have another 12 days to go at my full-time job (but who's counting?), which makes the preliminary planning all the more difficult. I am making progress though. Met with my accountant today who will be covering all the nitty gritty (financials) for my business plan. There is still so much more to be done, now that I've taken a look at other sample business plans that have um, much more girth than mine. But I am confident that if I take the weekend to really get into it, I can get my part done. 

Now for the fun stuff! I've almost finalized my new logo. Still can't decide on the layout, but the main concept has been hammered down so for that, I am glad. Here are my options:

I've also been working on a bunch on new samples to take photos of for the new site. You can check them out below:

That's all for now. Wish me luck with the business plan - I don't enjoy numbers so I will need it. 

Welcome to The Designer Cookie's very first blog post! 

The Designer Cookie was launched back in 2003 as very part-time venture by myself, Monica Krasny. Baking my entire life, I would frequently bring in freshly baked cookies to work, only to have them gobbled up within minutes. To make a long story short, after multiple marriage proposals and countless suggestions to market my cookies, The Designer Cookie was born. 

Initially, I started out with gourmet cookies, jam-packed with tons of yummy, high quality mix-ins. Not afraid of 'too much', my motto was 'more crunch, less dough', and it seemed to work. Being extremely creative, I also offered sugar cookies decorated with chocolate, icing, and pretty much anything and everything I could find at Bulk Barn. I would offer the cookies through my coworkers, and soon enough, people were talking.

This wasn't enough for me though. I wanted something different; something unique. It was about a year later that I discovered edible imaging; a pretty new technology in those days. The thought of being able to place photos onto cookies and chocolates - and be able to eat them - was too enticing to not pursue.  So, I did.

Throughout the years, I kept the business part-time while working full-time in many different fields. I planned events, wrote copy for various publications, did marketing for a few companies, and even started a not-for-profit committee. However, at least once or twice a year I'd come back to my dream; of one day opening up a retail shoppe for my cookies. 

And now, at long last, the time has come. This past monday, I gave in my resignation from my communications manager role at an online software company, and in 4 weeks, will be a full-time entrepreneur. Over the next 6 months, I will build and plan my opening, and blog about the process. I expect many hurdles and roadblocks along the way, but I'm ready.

So, I invite you to subscribe, or follow me on Twitter (@monicookie) and join me in the journey that lies ahead.