Minimalist baked goods and how young entrepreneurs are maximizing today’s challenges

By Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring

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With the quarantine restrictions forcing people to stay home, entrepreneurs utilized digital means to open and continue their businesses. Different food businesses have boomed in this context, though it cannot also be denied that there were too many closures as well.

Baked goods during this Covid-19 pandemic have risen on different social media platforms. And Cookie Co. has continued to deliver and promote its products through this scheme.

Aside from its menu, Cookie Co. customizes cakes and orders. Visit their Facebook page HERE. Image source: Cookie Co.

Started as an academic requirement in senior high school, Cookie Co. is an online shop that offers mouthwatering cakes and other pastries. It is known for its minimalist cakes and other creative designs in cupcakes.

“Naisip namin na cookies ang ibenta or gawing center ng final output namin kasi nagbe-bake na ako no’n and madali na umusad from there. After nung project na ‘yon, tinuloy ko pa rin ang pagbebenta nung cookies hanggang sa ginamit ko na talaga yung name and logo ng Cookie Co.,” co-owner Winryll Banaag shared.

Winryll started to bake cookies in 2017 and sell them to his classmates and schoolmates. With this, their group decided to come up with Cookie Co. as a project in their subjects of Media and Information Literacy and Entrepreneurship. With the group’s permission, Winryll and co-owner Sean Kent Raquel formalized the project into a reality in 2019.

These big and chunky palm-sized cookies will be available soon on Cookie Co. Visit their Facebook page HERE. Image source: Cookie Co.

Their partnership has allowed their business to flourish. As a communication student, Winryll is in charge of their social media, marketing, stocks, and investors, while also helping in the creatives and design of their pastries. On the other hand, the culinary major graduate Kent oversees their recipe and costing.

While their business has been growing in pre-pandemic times, the global crisis has been a huge block to them. Their plan of setting up a physical store in Cavite has been halted, and yet they still need to operate to support their needs. With this, they maximize digital platforms to market their cookies and cakes and ensure sales.

“Mahirap yung bagong setup ngayon kasi online lang talaga ngayon…Malaki rin naman tinulong sa’min nitong online business na ‘to pero mas maganda na sana Cookie Co. ngayon if walang pandemic,” Winryll said.

The online setup challenged the owners in handling orders and communicating with customers on social media. Winryll told Speculo about their “one and only bad review” which was about colored frostings and design. The issue taught them to understand not everyone knows the technicalities of baking, which made them tell disclaimers to customers. And most importantly, according to Winryll, they learned how to say no.

“Pag di namin kaya yung order, no. Pag di na kaya ng slots, no. Pag di ko kaya yung design, no. Pag di pwede magbigay [ng] discount, no. Sobrang hirap kasi mag-no sa customers pero kailangan siya i-practice talaga. Kasi kami din mapapahiya pag nag-yes kami kahit di kami sure na kaya,” he explained.

Aside from its menu, Cookie Co. customizes cakes and orders. Visit their Facebook page HERE. Image source: Cookie Co.

As challenging times persist, Winryll said they cope with sharing their stories to friends and asking for suggestions and help with other bakers. They also make use of their rest days to ensure they can bounce back.

“And siguro, bumabangon kami agad ni Kent kahit may challenges kasi gusto namin ginagawa namin. Mahal namin yung trabaho namin. Mahal namin Cookie Co. and mahal namin isa’t isa (cheesy pero true). And sobrang importante na pantay kami ng fire/passion sa gagawin namin para maganda talaga kalabasan,” he added.

He also shared that their mantra is “Kailangan natin ng pera, tara na” (We need money, let’s work). Winryll also said, “Para samin kasing dalawa, money CAN buy you happiness. Sa panahon ngayon, money talaga ang kailangan.”

Along with their goal of growing and popularizing Cookie Co., they also want to have a physical branch, staff, good investors, and larger reach and visibility in the future. Winryll said he can feel that Cookie Co. will grow but he was still uncertain when.

“Gusto ko din dumating sa point na makakatulong ako sa ibang tao, especially sa mga kapos, di makapag-aral, mag-isa na lang sa buhay…Gusto ko din isabay sa pag-angat yung mga kaibigan ko,” he uttered.

Cookie Co. offers minimalist cakes and other designs. Their bento cakes are the newest addition to their menu. Visit their Facebook page HERE. Image source: Cookie Co.

That is why Winryll also encourages young entrepreneurs and other future business owners to risk for their goals. He said a concrete plan will also help in rising above challenges,

“Ang negosyo, sa una talaga di mo makikita or mararamdaman yung ginhawa. Di talaga agad babalik yan. Minsan nga aabot talaga sa time na mag-aabono ka pa (if katulad ka namin na hindi malaki ang puhunan. P1,200 lang puhunan namin no’n). Pero ayon, for me di masamang mag-risk as long as may concrete plan and gusto mo talaga yung gagawin mo,” he said.

The reality has made a new trend of online-only businesses coupled with its challenges and hardships. With the Covid-19 pandemic hurting the business sector especially owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises, it is magnified that money is not only a safety net but can also contribute to emotional and mental conditions. Money can buy people happiness, and maybe Winryll and Kent’s cakes and cookies as well.