Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan and Jenna Berman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, we loved our baking days with our mom. We would stay in the kitchen for hours baking our favorite holiday treats, listening to music, laughing and telling stories. We had two main baking days per year – the week of Halloween and the week of Christmas. We began to realize how much baking was an outlet for us and how much we loved doing it. In 2018, we started a baking blog called “Berman Sisters Bake.” We would come up with different desserts depending on the time of year and what season we were in and post the recipes to our website at the time. After a year or so of working on the blog, Jenna had graduated college and began working a full-time job, and Jordan was busy studying for the bar exam. Needless to say, Berman Sisters Bake took a hiatus.
Fast forward to June 2020, Jenna was living up in Jupiter waiting to see which acceptance letters came in from her Physician Assistant program applications, and Jordan was a practicing attorney here in Miami. We decided to pick back up where we left off with Berman Sisters Bake. Not long after, we realized that we needed a way to monetize our blog. Because of covid-19 and quarantine, tons of cookie companies were popping up left and right all across the country. Our idea started here. We wanted to be different than the rest though, so our original idea was to sell cookies AND brownies (in all kinds of delicious and unusual flavors). Shortly thereafter, the idea was narrowed back down to solely cookies. Jordan has always had a knack for design – whether it be websites, logos, product design, etc. So, Jordan used her design abilities to come up with an extravagant and creative packaging and brand for the cookies. We really wanted something that was “Instagram-able” because let’s face it, people buy things that they want to show off on social media. After working through a couple of different branding ideas and names, The Cookie Jar was born.
The Cookie Jar is a completely customizable box of six cookies, which weigh almost 6oz each – they’re HUGE. The flavors offered include: Chocolate Chip, Funfetti, Cookies and Cream, Cinnamon Sugar, Butterfinger and S’mores. The buyer can choose any combination of cookies so long as it totals six cookies.
The Cookie Jar has taken on a course of its own. When we originally came up with the concept, we intended for it to be a box of cookies that one would order for themselves whenever they were craving cookies or had guests coming over, etc. However, since launching our startup, The Cookie Jar has taken on the role of “The Best Gift Ever.” What we mean by that is more buyers are sending The Cookie Jar as gifts to other people than they are purchasing for their own self-consumption. And honestly, although we didn’t see this purpose coming, we absolutely love it. We now offer personalized cards that can be sent for any occasion (birthdays, congratulations, thinking of you, thank you, etc.) as well as a gift wrapping option. Our customers love these add ons.
We are so in love with the brand that we’ve built and cannot wait to see where it goes. The reason we love our company so much is because it pays homage to both of our parents. Our dad is an entrepreneur. He showed us as kids what it takes to start a business and stay successful. He always taught us that the customer is the most important aspect of your business and to always treat them with nothing but the best customer service. “Without my customers, I’d be nowhere” he would always say. Our mom is the reason we love baking. Although baking in itself is fun, when we’re baking, we feel connected to her even if we’re not with her. Baking cookies would’ve never even been an option if it weren’t for her. In short, we have our parents to thank for our startup concept and wouldn’t want it any other way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
People always say, “in running a business, nothing ever goes smoothly,” and you don’t fully understand what that means unless you actually run a business. Luckily, we haven’t had any major obstacles, but there are those minor daily obstacles that get in the way from time to time. Running out of ingredients mid-bake, realizing you don’t have enough shipping boxes on shipment day, things like that. But nothing major. Although we certainly hope it stays that way, we’re also realistic and know that with success comes mistakes, so we’re ready for anything!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our family are our biggest supporters. As we mentioned before, we have our parents to thank for The Cookie Jar coming to life. Aside from our parents, we’re also thankful for the support from our step parents, our older brother, his girlfriend and Jordan’s boyfriend. We’re really fortunate to have such great people surrounding us who really want the best for us.
Pricing:
- $49/box of 6 cookies
- $5 add on options (card, gift wrap, etc.)
Contact Info:
- Website: thebermansisters.com
- Email: thebermansisters@gmail.com
- Instagram: thebermansisters
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