By Elizabeth Goldman
Staff Writer
One of the most popular activities among teenagers during quarantine has been baking. While many students baked often, freshman Katherine Jester took it to the next level.
Jester started an Instagram based warm, homemade cookie delivery service called Kat’s Cookies. Almost every night, Jester receives an average of 4 to 8 orders. Depending on the exact number, she spends between one and three hours baking.
“Every night, I get a couple [of] orders, and then I’ll bake the cookies,” Jester said. “Then, forty-five minutes from when the person orders them, I’m delivering them hot to their door.”
Earlier this year, Jester decided to combine one of her interests with a way to make money, thus starting the Instagram account called “katscookies_”. According to Jester, she has enjoyed baking her whole life, and this seemed like the perfect way to bring her hobby to the next level.
“I started in May during quarantine when everyone was baking,” Jester said. “I was baking a lot too, and my sister had suggested that I could try to make money off of it… so it was pretty much her idea to start selling [cookies].”
Jester sells thirteen different types of cookies from basic chocolate chip cookies to monster cookies containing chocolate chips, Oreos and M&Ms. She charges $10 per half dozen and $18 for a full dozen.
“All of my orders come through DMs on Instagram,” Jester said. “People have ordered for their birthday parties, and a bunch of parents are sending care packages to their kids who are at colleges with the cookies. Most of it comes from people just wanting cookies at night and me delivering it.”
Jester has loved baking almost her entire life. Her mother and grandmother love to bake as well, so baking has always been something she enjoys. In addition to being a fun way to spend time with her family, Jester loves other aspects of baking, such as experimenting.
“The trial and error part [of baking] is frustrating, but it’s also exciting because I can test out new cookies and see what doesn’t work and what works,” Jester said. “It’s fun to try them too.”
Selling cookies has brought a sense of community to Jester. She now has people locally who are purchasing her cookies through her Instagram, not just her friends.
“A lot of people that I didn’t know [order cookies], but [I think] ‘oh they ordered cookies; I kind of know them now,’” Jester said. “At the start, my friends [bought my cookies], and they still do; it’s basically a mix of people I know and don’t know.”
Jester would like to grow Kat’s Cookies by adding cookie cakes to her menu but is overall happy with where it currently is. She recently expanded her business to include national shipping orders instead of just delivering in Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beach.
“I’m very happy with how it is right now because it doesn’t take up too much of my time, and I’m still able to do my school work and spend time with my family and friends,” Jester said. “I like where it is now, but it would be fun to grow it a little bit more.”
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