By Raci Levine
Executive Features Editor
Freshman Nicols founded Gingersnap and Co. to spread her joy of baking to the world.
On December 2nd 2023, Freshman Zoe Nicols created Gingersnap and Co. with her sister to provide the South Bay with homemade baked goods. Nicols came up with her company name as her mother Dara Weintraub called her “gingersnap” as a child due to her red hair.
“I wanted to start [Gingersnap and Co.] over the summer when I was baking the most because I felt like more people than my neighbors and friends would like my baking too, but I didn’t know where to start.” said Nicols. “My mom helped me get the specific licenses I needed to bake and sell things made out of a house rather than a commercial kitchen.”
Nicols first began baking when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred to fill up her free time. She uses family recipes and cookbooks to generate her baking ideas and creations. Nicols sells a variety of baked goods including cookies, muffins, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and other desserts if requested.
“We have family recipes and many cookbooks so I picked and combined dessert ideas from both.” said Nicols. “I actually started recipe testing with vegan ingredients because I was vegan at the time but once I went back to vegetarian, I eventually broadened my spectrum to using all types of ingredients.”
Nicols was inspired by her family and neighbors who she has been baking for in the past. According to Nicols, they gave her the confidence she needed to kick off her business as they constantly provided her with feedback so she could create and share the best of her recipes with her customers.
“The brand came together in a matter of a month, but the idea was in the process for about a year,” said Nicols. “It was just gaining confidence and finding the time to work on a project with my full attention so I can deliver the best quality items to my customers.”
Nicols has accumulated over 20 orders from her one month in business. In the future, she wants to be more involved in selling her baked goods to local cafes rather than grocery stores so her items would be delivered daily and eaten fresh.
“I hope to gain more contacts with larger businesses or organizations. For example, I would love for my baked goods to be used as a gift for a company event or sold at something like the Hometown fair.” said Nicols. “I plan on starting with a booth at a weekend farmers market and then going from there.”
Nicols created an instagram account @gingersnapandco. to gain more publicity. All of the business’s advertising and business aspects are run by her sister Ava Nicols. To place orders, one can send a direct message on instagram or contact the phone number linked on their profile. For example, she sold her baked goods to Dave Caskey, owner of Caskey Real Estate Group who held giveaways with her products, allowing people to try her new items.
“My sister and I are partners and she is in charge of advertising and finding business opportunities. This is really helpful because she tells me what I need to bake and by what date and then I make it happen.” said Nicols “Having someone cover the business part of the company allows me to spend more time focusing on perfecting the products and we can stay out of each other’s way since our jobs are completely different.”
According to Nicols, she hopes to inspire underclassmen to take risks and follow their dreams. As she believes the main key to success is confidence and kindness.
“My advice would be to truly have confidence in yourself and what you want to do. This business would have already been up and running over a year ago if I hadn’t been so concerned with success.” said Nicols “I am learning the patience that comes with starting a small business especially being in high school and having people take you seriously. I hope to continue learning from and growing Gingersnap & Co. over the next year and would love to see my passion for baking reach new heights.”
Leave a Reply