We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Craft and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what do you attribute your success to?
It’s actually two factors: passion and determination! I have had a passion for baking since I was a young girl, helping my mom and ‘Nana’ bake dinner and dessert for all occasions… Christmas being my favorite, with so many fun and delicious options. My favorite thing to help bake while growing up was our chocolate chip cookie recipe. When I became a stay-at-home mom with young kids, I decided to start making many staples in our home, from scratch. I found joy in baking treats and seeing the shock on my family and friends’ faces as they told me how delicious my food was. I did eventually go back to work and due to time, I baked only for holidays and kept the desserts simple. As I worked, I kept in the back of my mind a dream…a dream to one day own my own business with my name. But at the time, I had no idea the business would involve baking!
In December, 2019, I saw a photo of the most delicious cookie and I thought to myself, ‘I want to try that!’ So try, I did — and I proceeded to experience many ‘fails’ trying to figure out how to make the perfect decorated sugar cookie. I practiced my heart out. Pretty soon, I had friends starting to request small sets of cookies in February, for Valentine’s Day. I was so nervous as I launched my first batches — but I got amazing feedback. That’s when I started doing serious research on how to start a cottage foods bakery.
I spent hours and hours perfecting my new skill and creating my business from scratch! In March, 2020, I legally registered my business, started my social media platforms, and went to work promoting Craft’s Cookies!
I spend many hours a day working on my passion…from tasting the quality (my favorite part), taking pictures, making special packaging, promoting myself, attending networking events, and learning how to do social media platform posts — all the while, making the ‘hustle’ — because I am determined to make my business a success! I want all my friends, family and customers to bite into one of my cookies and immediately know that I made them with passion and determination, with a singular goal of bringing joy to whatever event or occasion they brought my cookies for.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Craft’s Cookies!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was a freshman in high school, I stayed at a Four Seasons hotel with all my best friends. I was in awe, and knew that was the industry I wanted my career to be in. I went to college and got a degree in hotel/resturant management. As I started my career in the hotel industry, I learned in the very long hours in management that excellent customer service, attention to details, due dates, inventory, food quality, and presentation is everything! This was not easy, but I was determined to climb the ladder and learn as much as I could. I was spounge at that age. I did resign from the industry as my kids were at such a young age and I was missing out. That’s when I became a stay at home mom until they were in school full time. Fast forward many years. I find myself with a toddler age daughter, a part time job that wasn’t fulfiling me as it once did. While in quarantine it was obvious that as I practiced this sugar art I was testing out, that this was the perfect sign to open up Craft’s Cookies as my business!
Best decision ever! What keeps me busy is, I put into practice everything I learned from my hospitality days into my business each and everyday. This is the perfect work/life balance that suits our family and my dreams! I can honestly say I love what I do!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am such an outdoor person, so naturally I would plan lots of hikes and show how beautiful Colorado is. Anything to convince my friends or family members to move here! We would hit up Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks, Idaho springs for some walking around and eat at Beau Jo’s Pizza!
We would chat over coffee and all you can eat Kneaders French Toast for breakfast!
I think outdoor shopping at either Castle Rock outlets or the Simon Outlets in Thornton is always a great choice. It’s hard to narrow it down as CO is the most amazing place!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I cannot thank my husand enough for always supporting my ideas and dreams. Allowing me to be a stay at home mom was the first and as I create more dreams, and passions while at home, he’s always on board! He’s the first to jump up and make a Costco run for ingredients. It helps that he loves cookies and has enjoyed all the taste testing! I also thank all my friends who took a risk in ordering as I opened up. They continue to be my biggest supporters in purchasing for every occasion and holiday, for constantly posting pictures, and the biggest is the wonderful referrals. All small businesses success from word of mouth and my cheering section is amazing! I wouldn’t be this successful without them.

Instagram: instagram.com/craftscookiesco

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/craftscookiesco

Facebook: facebook.com/craftscookiesco

Other: Google Business: Craft’s Cookies http://g.page/craft-s-cookies-parker?gm

Image Credits
Lauren Wood, Tanner Craft, Nicole Craft

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.