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Daily Inspiration: Meet Breanna Browning

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Browning.

Hi Breanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a true Florida girl! I was raised in Sarasota and went to the University of Miami for college. I have a degree in communications and never expected to end up selling cookies in Tampa lol. But I love where I’m at!

When I moved to Tampa to continue in my career in digital media, I noticed there weren’t really any places that specialized in selling my favorite dessert: cookies! Cookies have always made me happy. They’ve been my go-to dessert.
After perfecting my Snickerdoodle recipe, my friends and family fell in love! That’s when I decided that I was the perfect person to satisfy my own cookie cravings. So I began baking every flavor that I ever loved and then some. I set out to create cookies in flavors of other desserts that I like (strawberry cake, s’mores, butter pecan ice cream, sweet potato pie, etc.) because everything’s better as a cookie. Soon, I was convinced by friends that it was only right to share these goods with the world. Thus, The Cookie Monster Cookies was born! I began selling the cookies at a local farmer’s market once a month. I eventually began going to a different market every week and was able to introduce many more cookie lovers to my company. Currently, we sell online and have a weekly pop up each Friday in South Tampa. The Cookie Monster Cookies is a company devoted to satisfying everyone’s cookie cravings. We’ve all got a Cookie Monster in us. It just takes the right cookie to bring it out. Kind of like each of us, every cookie is handmade and crafted to perfection. My goal is to inspire everyone to live a little, indulge, and not feel guilty about it. Don’t be ashamed to feed your inner monster!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. When I began, I was still working full time and not able to commit to growing my business as much as I’d like to. I decided to quit my full time job and bet on myself. It was one of the scariest decisions ever, but it worked out. One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is funding. I’ve learned that you’ve got to spend money to make money. It’s tough to grow a business that’s not yet profitable. As we’ve grown and gotten more business, it has gotten easier, but even still, in the wake of COVID-19, there have been challenges with paying for our rent and even paying myself as the business has slowed down.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The Cookie Monster Cookies was created for cookie lovers by a cookie lover. These cookies are monstrous, being 5 oz in size with about a 5 inch diameter. The Cookie Monster is a company devoted to satisfying EVERYONE’S cookie cravings, year-round. We’ve all got a Cookie Monster in us. It just takes the right cookie to bring it out. Kind of like each of us, every cookie is handmade and crafted to perfection. My goal is to inspire everyone to live a little, indulge, and not feel guilty about it. Don’t be ashamed to feed your inner monster! Not only is it important for us to share our love of cookies, but it’s just as important to be mentors and role models—one of our biggest goals to be an example to a new generation of Black kids. As Cookie Monsters, we vow to be who we need to be no matter the difficulties we encounter. We vow to show, not only tell, them that they too can dream big and be ANYTHING. We vow to be who we are, unapologetically, and to encourage others to do the same!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I definitely believe that good luck plays a role in many thriving businesses. Mine just hasn’t been one of them, lol. The success that I’ve experienced so far is from pure hard work from my team and me. From reaching out to people, giving away free cookies, and just continuously putting in the work needed. I hope to experience some good luck soon, though!

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  • $5

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