Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Page Prince.
Mary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After watching his big sister make oatmeal cookies for their dad, my seven year old son Jay, asked if I would teach him how to make them. He began making the cookies and I would help as his tiny arms were not strong enough to mix the dough when the oats were added. Jay changed the recipe by adding a little of this and subtracting a little of that. The recipe became his own and family and friends started taking orders. Some years later we decided to make the business official so we got our dba. I asked Jay what he wanted to name the company. Being an athlete, Rookies Cookies immediately came to his mind so we were off to the races. We then out grew our home kitchen so we decided to rent a commercial space near the University of Houston and Texas Southern University. So here we are making a variety of homemade cookies for our favorite people.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No it has not been smooth. Even though we are close to school campuses, there are still so many people in the neighborhood who are not aware of our presence. Walk up traffic has been slow especially when school is out. As well I’ve had some major changes in my life and the distractions have taken time away from the progress that could have been made.
Moving & divorce.
We are still not breaking even yet but I am determined to keep pressing on. It’s difficult when one person has to do so much. There are so many skills I do not have, but cannot afford to pay other people.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Rookies Cookies – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We specialize in a variety of oatmeal cookies. We have 8 basic variety and seasonal cookies also. We recently added shortbread cookies and a gluten free ingredient cookie made with almond flour, coconut oil, agave and chocolate chunks. We are working towards some other healthier choses. We know that oatmeal has some great health benefits but we want to add more cookies with healthy sugar alternatives. We also make homemade vanilla “Ice Kaream.” It’s delicious. We have our famous Ice Kaream Sandwiches made with our special cookies.
I am most proud that my son at seven was determined and motivated enough to make such delicious and delectable cookies. He is now twenty-two and in college majoring in [what else?] Business.
Most of our cookies contain the oatmeal, yet we are working towards other healthy flavors. We love what we do and we love to see the smiles on our customers’ faces as they bite in to a Rookies Cookie.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are working to get our cookies in city restaurants and hopefully expanding to a new location in the next year.
We are also in the process of getting our cookies in convenient stores at the University of Houston. That will happen really soon.
We would love to expand across the city, across Texas, the US and even overseas.
Pricing:
- Each cookie is $1.25
- One dozen cookies $14
- Cookie Cakes are $32 for 12″ and $38 for 16″
- Cookie Tins with 2 dozen cookies $38
- Trays with 2 dozen $35, 3 dozen $48
- Almond Flour Chocolate Chunk Gluten Friendly Cookies are $2 each
Contact Info:
- Address: 3530 Scott Street
Ste. B
Houston, TX 77004 - Website: www.rookiescookies.com
- Phone: (888) 957-6654, Local (832) 834-7165
- Email: info@rookiescookies.com
- Instagram: @officialrookiescookies
- Facebook: rookiescookies3
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
