Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Barillas.
Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey started from a simple love of baking and creating sweet moments for the people around me. I would bake for family gatherings, special occasions, or just because and overtime, I realized that what I was offering wasn’t just a treat, it was a way to connect and celebrate. That passion slowly turned into a dream of having my own business. I started small, taking custom cookie orders from friends and family, often working late nights around my job and family life. Every order, every kitchen experiment, and every challenge taught me something valuable. Over time, through word-of-mouth, pop-ups and building a presence on social media, Kooky Cookie Confections stared to grow. Today, I’m proud to say I’ve built something that reflects not just my creativity, but my culture, my hustle, and my heart. I’m still learning, still growing, but I’m grateful for how far I’ve come and even more excited for what’s ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has definitely not been a smooth road. As a mom of four, balancing my business with motherhood was already a full plate but in the middle of growing Kooky Cookie Confections, life threw me some of my hardest challenges, nearly losing my mom, and stepping into the role of her caregiver. At the same time, I was fighting silent battles with my own mental health, living OCD and depression. There were days it felt impossible to keep going. Days when the weight of it all family responsibilities, business pressures, personal struggles flesh like too much. But baking and creating gave a sense of peace and purpose, even when everything else felt chaotic. It became my therapy, my escape, and my way of building something for my children and myself. The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been filled with lessons in resilience, love and faith. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, not because it was perfect, but because i kept showing up even when it was hard. Through every high and low, I’ve learned that success isn’t about having a perfect journey. It’s about having the courage to keep going. My story isn’t just about cookies; its about resilience, love, and the belief that even in the hardest seasons, you can still create something beautiful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the artist and founder behind Kooky Cookie Confections, where cookies are more than just dessert, they’re a canvas for creativity and story telling. I specialize in custom, hand-decorated cookies that blend bold design, fine detail, and personal meaning. Whether it’s a celebration, a tribute, or just a moment someone wants to capture, I turn it into edible art. I’m known for pushing beyond the “typical” for taking risks with design, color and technique to make pieces that feel one of a kind. Every cookie I create carries emotion, memory, and a little bit of magic. I’m most proud of the fact that my work connects with people on a deeper level. It’s not just about how the cookies look or taste. It about how they make people feel. What sets me apart is my belief that food, especially sweets, can be a powerful art form. I pour my soul into every creation, balancing technical skill with heart, culture, and personal story. My work stands in that space between creativity and connection, where every cookie becomes a moment you can taste and remember.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the creative kid who was always either doodling, baking something, or coming up with a new ‘business idea’ before I even knew what entrepreneurship meant. I had an imagination, a serious sweet tooth, and a love for making people happy, whether it was with a handmade card, a batch of cookies, or just a funny story. I was also a perfectionist in my own way, super focused on little details most people would miss (which makes sense now, knowing about my OCD)but even as a kid, I loved the feeling of creating something special out of nothing. Family, food, and creativity were always at the center of my world and honestly, not much has changed!
I’m so grateful for every person who’s supported Kooky Cookie Confections. This business is built on heart, hustle, and a whole lot of sugar — and I can’t wait to keep creating edible joy for the community I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kooky-cookie-confections.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kookycookieconfections
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kookycookieconfections
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kooky-cookie-confections
- Other: https://linktr.ee/kookycookieconfections
Image Credits
Business photo: @roxguerrero
