Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Hom-Yern.
Erica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2018, I quit my job as a television writer producer in New York City and moved to Austin, TX to have more time with my two kids. While I was working, I had started a baking blog on the side as a creative outlet for myself. After moving, I continued working on the blog, testing recipes and experimenting with different flavors. One of the recipes I had been working on was for a chocolate chip cookie. I accidentally left out an ingredient while mixing the dough, but found that the cookies came out even better! Crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside and packed with flavor. So I started experimenting with this new recipe, by creating new flavors and swapping out ingredients. I decided to use as many local ingredients as I could to show my appreciation towards Austin and support my new community. I shared these cookies with close friends and family, who all had encouraged me to start my own business. Then March came and so did the pandemic. I put my idea on hold, worried about the anti-Asian sentiment going around.
Summer came around and the pandemic didn’t seem like it was going anywhere. So my husband and I decided that I should give this cookie thing a shot before I gave up on it. We launched Cookie Wookie Kitchen in August of 2020. I started with classic American flavors like chocolate chip and cereal bowl. But I soon realized that there was a whole Asian American community who also wanted the flavors from their childhood! So I rolled out Ube Coconut, Pandan with Toasted Rice and Vietnamese Coffee Cookies.
It was so heartwarming for me to hear that biting into a cookie tasted like the flavors my customers had growing up. And since food is a common language, it’s also given the non-Asian community a chance to try some of these flavors as well. I think it helps to introduce flavors that may not be familiar to some, in the familiar form of a cookie.
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?
It’s been a learning curve trying to start a small business from home, during a pandemic, while my kids were in virtual school. We were all in the house together, all day everyday. So in between mixing, baking cookies, packaging and making deliveries, I was also on zoom calls with their teachers, helping them with their projects and making lunch and dinner. It’s definitely taken a lot of drive and stamina to keep up. In the beginning I rarely said no to a customer because I was just starting out and felt that I had to establish a good reputation and customer base. So I delivered cookies from North West Austin to Hutto to South Austin and back six days a week. Not everyday was busy, but it wasn’t easy. But now I’m glad to have found my groove and truly appreciate every customer.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cookie Wookie Kitchen?
We deliver chewy fresh baked cookies in unique Asian American flavors, like Ube Coconut, Red Bean Mochi, Black Sesame Cookies and Cream and Pandan with toasted rice. We use local ingredients and age our cookie dough 1-3 days so that you get the most flavor with every bite. Every month we have three new flavor specials so there’s always something new to try. Our cookies can be delivered or picked up in North West Austin and we also do Pop-Up’s at local businesses around town. We’re slowly branching out into other treats as well including Ice Cream during the summer, Steamer Cinnamon Rolls and Rainbow Cookies for Christmas.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people have helped me along the way! From my husband, who’s always encouraging me to move forward and to dream bigger. My kids who are forever taste testing and helping me fold boxes for orders, and my friends who have eaten countless cookies and told me to “just do it” when I felt unsure of myself.
I’ve met so many amazing people through social media who have also helped to support my business- from story mentions and posts to dm conversations and spreading the word by buying cookies for friends and co-workers. Every little bit helps! And finally, the small business community in Austin has been a fantastic group of people, they’ve reached out, offered advice and friendship through this year and I am so grateful for all their support and love.
Pricing:
- $3/per Cookie
Contact Info:
- Email: Cookiewookiekitchen@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.CookieWookieKitchen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookiewookiekitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookiewookiekitchen
