It's Just Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Comments for a Cause
  • Tea and Teapots
  • Books
  • Travel
  • Writing
  • Recipes
  • Products
December 5, 2016

Kickstarter, Cookies and Carolyn

28 Comments/ 46/ 4

I am a huge fan of Kickstarter. I am also a huge fan of cookies.  Kickstarter is a great place to help  entrepreneurs realize their dreams.  I have “kicked in” on quite a few projects over the years but the most recent one is the one that I love the most. And it involves cookies which makes it even better.picmonkey-image-4

I first found out about Reason to Bake and their Kickstarter project through a post on our neighborhood Nextdoor page.  Finding out about a local project piqued my interest and when I read what the project was and who was behind Reason to Bake I knew I had to support it.carolyn6

Carolyn Sampson is a beautiful, charming, exuberant 22 year old girl who has a dream.  Her dream is to be a baker.  Carolyn and her mom, Elise, are the driving force behind Reason to Bake and their passion for baking is evident in all that they do.

Carolyn has Down Syndrome like my brother in law Carlton and many conventional jobs are just not a good fit.  Reason to Bake has two main goals.

  1. To train and hire intellectually disabled adults as the company grows.
  2. To provide gluten free cookie options that use quality ingredients and taste good.

Carolyn and Elise have been baking for awhile and decided to focus on cookies. They have been able to use different commercial kitchens to make their creations and are currently renting space in the beautiful Elk Haven Wellness Center located on Elks Club Road in Brevard, NC.  The facility is perfect for their business and they are able to maintain a gluten free kitchen to produce their products.

But the best part of this whole story is that I got to spend an afternoon with Carolyn and Elise baking cookies.  I was over the moon excited and had been looking forward to meeting them and just spending time with this mother daughter team.

Carolyn greeted me with a hug and it was clear to me that this is a friendship that I am going to cherish. As we talked I was so impressed with their business plan and how hard they have worked to get the business going. The Kickstarter campaign has helped them move to the next level by allowing them to work towards creating packaging that will allow them to ship cookies. Their online presence will be an added bonus as the business grows and reaches its goal of hiring more intellectually disabled adults.

Carolyn was very precise in measuring out her ingredients.

Carolyn was very precise in measuring out her ingredients.

Rolling the cookie balls takes a lot of concentration.

Rolling the cookie balls takes a lot of concentration.

A final pat to make sure the cookies bake just right.

A final pat to make sure the cookies bake just right.

All of these delicious cookies went home with me---I have a freezer full!

All of these delicious cookies went home with me—I have a freezer full!

Finished Spicy Ginger cookies by Reason to Bake.

Finished Spicy Ginger cookies by Reason to Bake.

We made one of their most popular cookies –Spicy Ginger—which is a recipe that they have perfected over time.  Carolyn was meticulous in measuring her ingredients and the mother and daughter team was just that.  A team.  It was wonderful to be a small part of that experience for a couple of hours.

Elise, Beth Ann and Carolyn

Elise, Beth Ann and Carolyn

As Elise and I chatted I discovered we had a lot in common and a lot of  our beliefs are quite similar.  As we talked Elise shared how God has been the center of this business from the very start and things have fallen into place, people have showed up to offer help when needed, and a Kickstarter campaign was funded to allow them to go to the next level.   I love it when God moments happen and are recognized.  On this Tuesday afternoon in the kitchen at Elk Haven Wellness Center I experienced a lot of God moments.

Reason to Bake has their cookies in the following stores:

Food Matters in Brevard, Morganton, and Hickory

French Broad Food Co-op in Asheville

West Village Market in Asheville

Appalachian Coffee Company in Brevard and Hendersonville

Cashiers Farmers Market

Whistlestop Market

Market at 36 (Brevard)

Thompson Store (Saluda)

Hendersonville Community Co-op

Upstate Food Co-op (Six Mile, SC)

To say that I am hooked on these cookies is an understatement.  I consider myself to be a decent cookie baker but these gluten free cookies have me hooked.  Good thing Whistlestop Market is just down the road from me.  I am going to be an even more frequent customer thanks to my new found love of Reason to Bake cookies.

Please check out their website and Facebook page by clicking on the links below.  When they start their online ordering you will want to be first in line.

Reason to Bake website

Facebook

Twitter

My favorite picture of the day has to be this selfie Carolyn and I took.  I adore this girl.beth-ann-and-carolyn

Share:
Tags:
brevard cookies with a heart Elise and Carolyn Sampson Elk Haven Wellness Center gluten free cookies Kickstarter NC Reason to Bake Spicy Ginger cookies Transylvania County
← Previous The Little Red Canoe
Next → Christmas Time on Teapot Tuesday

Related Articles

  • Blooms in the Conservatory

  • #BiltmoreBlooms 2021

  • Stickwork at Biltmore

  • A Quick Walk Around Town

  • New Public Art in Downtown Brevard

28 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Bernadette
    December 05, 2016 at 06:32 am

    Cookies and love – life doesn’t get any better than that.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2016 at 07:46 pm

      You nailed it! That is exactly what I experienced on this afternoon. Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by and comment, Bernadette.

      Reply
  2. Jena C. Henry
    December 05, 2016 at 08:20 am

    Sweet! All the best to Carolyn and Elise. Beth- please keep us updated on this amazing team and their business!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2016 at 07:45 pm

      I definitely will! They are amazing people and I had so much fun. AND Cookies!! So many cookies!

      Reply
  3. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    December 05, 2016 at 09:44 am

    Oh, Beth Ann, this is the sweetest story. Kudso to this mother-daughter team for turning their passion for baking in to a business that will benefit others.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2016 at 07:45 pm

      Thanks, Audrey. We had such fun. IT is such a great ambition and a real need to be able to have a safe place for intellectually challenged folks to be able to work. Carolyn and Elise are amazing people and I am blessed to now add them to my friendship circle.

      Reply
  4. DiAnne Ebejer
    December 05, 2016 at 10:01 am

    I can smell them! 😊

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2016 at 07:44 pm

      They are so good. Honestly—I never would have guessed they were gluten free from how great they taste!

      Reply
  5. Katy Flint
    December 05, 2016 at 10:58 am

    What an awesome day spent and what an exuberant young lady!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 05, 2016 at 07:43 pm

      She is an amazing young lady and I am so blessed to have met her and her mom. I think it is going to be a great friendship.

      Reply
  6. Paula Kiger
    December 06, 2016 at 09:35 am

    This is SOOOOO cool. So cool. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 06, 2016 at 10:16 am

      Thank YOU for reading and commenting. I would love to shower them with love!

      Reply
  7. Jake
    December 06, 2016 at 09:45 am

    Best wishes for continued success to them! God speaks to us all in one way or another, all we have to do is listen! They certainly have.. Nice post Beth Ann.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 06, 2016 at 10:15 am

      Thanks, Jake! They are an amazing team and I am so blessed to have met them!

      Reply
  8. Cathy Chester
    December 06, 2016 at 10:07 am

    OMG I love this post and content for so many reasons. I love that you found this business and how successful (and delicious) it is. Wow! I think what they’re doing is absolutely fantastic! Someday perhaps they should go on Shark Tank! Hey, you never know.

    Great find. And I never heard of “Nextdoor” before. How resourceful of you!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 06, 2016 at 10:18 am

      Thanks, Cathy, so much for stopping by and leaving a comment and for sharing. Yes, they are an amazing team and I would love to get them as much attention as possible because they are doing such good in our world. Nextdoor is a neighborhood app that connects you to folks within your neighborhood. Great for finding your way especially when you move to a new place!

      Reply
  9. Diane
    December 06, 2016 at 10:20 am

    The world needs cookies and love right now. I wish them all the best as they spread both!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 06, 2016 at 10:26 am

      Thanks so much, Diane. The cookies are as amazing as they look. Appreciate that you took the time to stop by and leave a comment.

      Reply
  10. Priscilla King
    December 06, 2016 at 11:30 am

    I hope they can stay small, grow naturally, and thrive like Ben & Jerry. (Comment forthcoming in today’s Link Log, also.)

    Reply
  11. Rachel
    December 06, 2016 at 02:33 pm

    I love reading about businesses like this. Such an amazing story. Carolyn is a talented, young woman. I can see the love of God shining through their smiles. Thank you for sharing their story.

    Reply
  12. Julie
    December 06, 2016 at 07:47 pm

    Cookies? Just another reason for me to return to Brevard one day – and such a heartwarming story. Love, love, love!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 07, 2016 at 07:09 am

      YES! Exactly. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  13. Marci B
    December 07, 2016 at 07:54 am

    Love this story!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 07, 2016 at 07:56 am

      It is a wonderful story. Thanks for stopping by! Had fun at lunch yesterday, by the way! Thanks!

      Reply
  14. Jeni F.
    December 07, 2016 at 07:59 am

    This story is incredible! I wish I could try her cookies. They look amazing and I’m so excited about their success.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      December 07, 2016 at 08:01 am

      I will send you some! I have to get some today to take to Ohio so I will see what I can do for you! It is such an amazing story and the mother daughter team is magnificent!

      Reply
  15. Liz
    December 08, 2016 at 01:22 am

    This is so awesome! I love everything about this from the cookies to the people to the kickstarter effort to the local businesses carrying the cookies…so much to love in this post! 💛

    Reply
  16. Emily @ The Southern Belle Blogs
    December 12, 2016 at 09:03 am

    I love it! What a sweet post (no puns intended, though the cookies look amazing).

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Subscribe To Rss Feed
  • 2,256 Followers
  • 2,272 Fans
  • Followers
  • 1 Followers
  • Subscribers
  • Subscribers
  • Follow It's Just Life

Comments For A Cause

  • Honoring My Mom with Comments for a Cause

  • Comments for a Cause – The Love of Books

  • Comments for a Cause – A Bit of Nostalgia

  • Comments for a Cause for the New Year

  • Comments for A Cause – Sharing Where Needs are Great

  • Comments for a Cause – Supporting First Responders

  • Comments for a Cause Goes Pink

  • Comments for a Cause: #IowaStrong

  • Comments for a Cause – Sharing With the Community

  • Comments for a Cause – Fill the Bus

  • Taking Care of Yourself and Others- Comments for a Cause

  • Comments for a Cause – Transylvania Tomorrow

  • Comments for a Cause – COVID – 19 Solidarity Response

  • Comments for a Cause – Helping North Carolina Babies

  • Comments for a Cause Goes International

Check Out My Past Posts

April 2021
S M T W T F S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  
« Mar    

Text

Follow

Pinterest

Visit Beth Ann's profile on Pinterest.

Beth's bookshelf: read

The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users
5 of 5 stars
The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users
by Guy Kawasaki
As always Guy Kawasaki has a great book with great information about all things social media. I highlighted tons of places in this book and it is definitely one that I will come back to time and time again to help me in all of the socia...
Old Girls in Low Cotton
3 of 5 stars
Old Girls in Low Cotton
by Helen Childress
This short book was one that looked like it would be a fun read. I honestly did not enjoy it all that much---it was a lot of characters bickering and while some of the writing was witty and funny it was not that kind of book that made m...
The Good Girl
5 of 5 stars
The Good Girl
by Mary Kubica
I loved this book! It had my interest from the very first page and was my "airplane" book on a recent trip. Author Mary Kubica created believable and interesting characters that the reader learned to identify with and care about. Mi...
All the Light We Cannot See
4 of 5 stars
All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
This is quite a book! I had it recommended to me by several people and while I thought it might be a little dark and depressing it made me have a better understanding of what life in this time period was like. The strength of the huma...
An Abundance of Katherines
5 of 5 stars
An Abundance of Katherines
by John Green
Another great book by John Green. I have become a huge fan of John Green since my reading of A Fault in our Stars and this book was another that did not disappoint me at all. It was a story of a child prodigy, a lot of anagrams, and a b...

goodreads.com

Professional Reader
Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Copyright © 2015 It's Just Life, All Rights Reserved.

  • Media Kit, Advertising and Disclosure