Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariko Dehning
Hi Mariko, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved from Japan to Kansas City about 6 years ago to marry my husband and welcomed 2 beautiful sons over the next 3 years.
I always liked Kawaii (cute) stuff, and cute anime characters, so when I saw the cute designed sugar cookies on social media I was immediately drawn to them.
The first time I made sugar cookies was for my son’s first birthday. I taught myself by watching youtube and instagram videos about baking and how to apply icing. I started by just making cookies a couple times a year just for fun and special occasions such as a birthday.
After my second son was born I suffered from bad postpartum depression. I could barely do anything and felt like I had lost hope. But thankfully my husband was very supportive and with the help of medical treatments I started feeling better. I began to think what I would like to do in my life besides taking care and raising my family, I had realized how short life could be.
I had been making Chiefs cookies for Chief’s games and Super Bowl parties and they were always a big hit. So my husband encouraged me that I could start selling them. He told me he would buy them even if no one else did. You can already tell how sweet he is!
I already really enjoyed cooking and baking, so when I started making sugar cookies and baked products it was a lot of fun and exciting. It had been awhile since I had felt passionate and fulfilled by something, so I was very happy.
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?
To make 1 dozen sugar cookies from start to finish takes an entire day or two.
Everything is done by myself, including drawing up designs, making doughs, baking cookies, making icings, coloring the icings, decorating and packaging. And my least favorite thing is doing dishes and cleaning afterwards.
I started to struggle with time management, because I have 2 little ones at home along with taking care of the household as well.
Starting my own business in a new country was definitely not easy, since English is my second language and was not familiar with the laws and regulations.
Luckily, my husband has his MBA and had experience with entrepreneurship and running a small business, and was able to help me a lot.
After much research we figured out the local food laws, labeling regulations and applied for all related licenses, permits, certifications, and insurance.
I have never had a big miscommunication with my customers, but I think I’m lucky to have sweet customers who are patient and understanding with my struggles with language sometimes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in making beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and also offer other treats such as cake pops, drop cookies, cupcakes and cakes.
Since I’m from Japan and I’m a huge fan of Asian sweets, I also offer Japanese flavor like Ube( purple sweet potato), and Matcha(green tea).
Our popular occasions for custom cookies are baby showers, birthdays, company branding, graduations, and any big event or party.
I had working experience in a leading candy company in Japan, and I always believed the sweets can easily make any person happy in their daily life. Even though I worked in Marketing & sales in candy company, starting my own business in another country is a total different story.
I always loved cute & Kawaii stuff, but how special if you can get customized cute & delicious sweets? I love to see my customers smile when they pickup cookies. Sometimes they give me warm hugs. I just enjoy to make people happy with my own cookies & sweets.
We do pop ups at events or cafes occasionally. I especially enjoys making Asian cultural related designs such as Sushi cookies, Kimono cookies etc. So I enjoy being the vendor at Asian culture events and share my culture through delicious and cute cookies.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I can tell you there are already many great cookie ladies, bakers in KC area. I feel like more people are trying to sell sugar cookies similar to how I started this business.
I think demands are always there, because everyday is someone’s birthday, and there are so many opportunities to celebrate something special.
I also know that some of my Instagram followers really like my cookie decorating videos. It’s satisfying to watch and my followers always enjoy them. So I believe those videos will be a continuous trend.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariscustomcookies/profilecard/?igsh=NmZlOGh1OXp4OHB4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/rdunzyRiJzDDcuCM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
