The Mixer

Richmond TAX DAY TEA PARTY

2009-03-30T16:25:00.021-04:00

GOOOH - A Plan To Evict Politicians!

2009-01-23T16:04:00.002-05:00

I am so impressed with this, please join me in helping ourselves and our nation. If you join, please put my name (When-Dee Morrison) in the "Referred By" box. I am signing up to be a candidate!

Take a look at this:
http://goooh.com/Act.aspx?pageid=45

Results for the Start-Up Nation Contest

2009-01-22T13:47:00.001-05:00

So it's January 2009 and I found out that I did not rank ANYWHERE on the lists. After 1500+ votes, it turned out that the contest was not geared on the votes. It was a huge disappointment after all that work ESPECIALLY all that everyone did to take time out each day and vote for me.

I was crushed and actually a lot of people that were pushing the votes spoke out about how it was set up a little unfair. It turned out that it didn't matter how many votes you had, you were supposed to be blogging and very active within their online community to be considered (or so is how it unfolded - it wasn't expressed as part of the rules when we entered). Those of us that had rally teams of customers supporting us were actually quite embarrassed. I have learned a lot of what to do and what not to do next time.

They currently have a mom's in business contest going right now and I have chosen not to participate because of the lack of professionalism after the last contest. I do enjoy the Start-Up Nation website as they have a lot of good articles to help your business. But I am protective of my customers and I just feel like I got duped into driving traffic to their site (and as it was, the Yummiest Category was given to a health food company, so I never would have won based on "healthy"...ha!)

I will say though, that having the huge amount of comments that you all left for me during the competition was just a tremendous boost. I love my customers like family and was overjoyed with everything that was said. I devoted a page on the website totally to those wonderful words and am extremely grateful to you all for coming out and cheering me on.

Thank you again so much!!

Warmly,
When-Dee

SECURE.IT Systems, my good friend Adam's business

2009-01-21T15:04:00.006-05:00

This is my wonderful friend Adam and he is at a convention promoting his totally wicked IT security business, SECURE.IT Systems. He developed my original website when I started Fat Cookie and I am forever indebted to him and his countless hours of development.

Take notice of the cookies on the table - he is a fabulous friend indeed. We love you Adam!

A shout-out from Bart Hinkle at the Richmond TImes-Dispatch

2009-01-15T09:20:00.001-05:00

Create Your Own Sinsation

Bart Hinkle

September 24, 2007 2:12 PM

After singing the praises of Oreo Cakesters, it’s only right that this site also give a shout-out to Fat Cookie, a Midlothian-based company with a brilliant hook: You design the perfect cookie, and they do the baking. Great gift idea. And even greater eatin’!

Reader Comments:

Bart, how can you talk about cookies at a time like this!!! How irresponsible and self-serving of you!

School board crisis!!! Jena Six!!!

The populace cannot make it through the week without decisive commentary from the RTD staff!!! I’m waiting with bated breath.

Cookies, schmookies. What’s wrong with you?

(Is there an emoticon for tongue-in-cheek?) ;-}

Posted by Dichelle on 09/26 at 10:16 AM

Whendee helped me make a special batch for my daughters school teachers last year. I was very, very happy with the results. I think it’s the best unknown cookie company out there. Perfect for special occasions

Posted by Kaie on 09/25 at 08:11 AM

Oh, no, the secret’s out!!!

Fat Cookies are indeed, AWESOME!

Posted by Sarah on 09/25 at 07:19 AM

Mmmm…that cookie will make a great desktop background…

Posted by Larry Lanberg on 09/24 at 03:19 PM

Page 1 of 1 pages

Post Your Comments:

link to the article: http://barticles.mytimesdispatch.com/index.php/barticles/comments/create_your_own_sinsation/

Richmond.com article on me from 2007

2008-11-04T17:43:00.002-05:00

Here's the whole article from the previous post (didn't realize the WAHM Business blog only had a partial posting). I'll take it all though! (Click here to view it in it's entirety).

WAHM Business blog post

2008-11-04T17:38:00.002-05:00

Here's a link to some press from last year. Click here!

Vote for Fat Cookie!

2008-10-28T20:23:00.001-04:00

Please vote for me through Friday, October 31st, 2008.

Marshmallows and Funerals

2008-09-20T16:53:00.005-04:00

You should never take hard candy in a noisy wrapper to a funeral. It is inevitable you or better yet, your kids will need that candy at the exact moment that the church goes silent. And it will be terrible when you try to unwrap that loud candy wrapper while the family is listening to the story of their lost ones life. It will be even worse when they crunch it instead of letting it dissolve in their mouth quietly.

Marshmallows. Life's wonderful little snack to keep kids quiet and busy during important moments.

Grandpa's Message.

2008-09-20T16:00:00.004-04:00

We just got back from Andy's Grandpa's funeral. It was an unexpected death and very emotional. We scrambled when we heard the news and found friends to take in each of the kids - thank goodness for wonderful, wonderful people in our lives. The kids were able to stay in school and enjoy a sort of vacation from mom and dad for four days. A huge effort on our friends part and we are just so grateful.

Andy and I drove the 12 hours to Detroit and picked up family at the airport as everyone arrived. We spent the next day getting Grandpa's things from the care facility he had been living at for the past 9 months and after lunch we headed to the church. My adrenaline was very high and knees a bit wobbly but I suppose it's that way for most people since you don't ever "get used" to death. We cried a lot and hugged and held hands tight. We laughed when the preacher read tidbits of his life and funny things he did. And I think we all came away from the service with a huge appreciation of "life". I know I did.

Things that I had been upset about in earlier months seemed very trivial and with the message that Grandpa left "A relationship with God, more time spent with family, and an investment in friends", really hit home. I have a simple relationship with God and am trying to pass that onto my kids as they grow and learn about life. But it was the "more time spent with family and investment in friends" message that I realized I was lacking. I have spent the last two years very devoted to the cookie business and have struggled to maintain a balance between family life and business life. And even when the physical demands of the business have gone up and down, the mental part has remained at a constant high speed. I'll be doing things with the family, but my mind is not fully engaged in the activity. I'll go to Bunco with the girlfriends and I'm still thinking about the emails I need to answer. I don't volunteer in the kids classrooms as much as I'd like, I don't offer to watch people's babies, I don't go to Target and just walk around. I never just grab a coffee with a pal or spend Sunday morning reading the paper. I'm too busy "thinking" about all the stuff I need to get done. I knew I needed a change and am grateful to Grandpa for the much needed message to shake me up. I could be gone tomorrow and heaven forbid I'm in the middle of emails instead of playing with my kids when that happens.

Of course I know there is a reality of the business. I mean, I have to get stuff done. I definitely know that some days will be easier and more organized than others. But as a whole, as a complete lifestyle in making time for it all, I have come to realize, I need to get more organized with my schedule and STICK TO IT. That means making time to have fun. It means making time to think about the business. It means scheduling around the kids and carving out smaller chunks to get everything done. Instead of doing all the washing over two days, it's better for our chaos to do a load a day. And instead of trying to work in orders during naptime, it's better to do them after kids go to bed. I am completely focused then and I won't get frustrated if naptime doesn't work out that day (I can play with baby instead of being upset that she wouldn't go down).

So I am looking forward to the next few weeks as I try to figure out a better way to "do it all". I really believe it can happen and I am going to re-focus my energies so my crazy circle is a little less chaotic and much more happy. I know it will be fluid and things can change from day to day as I figure out the right balance. But I know coming away from the funeral, I heard Grandpa's message loud and clear and if I don't do something now, I will never be wholly in the minute whether it's a "cookie minute" or an "I love you mommy" minute. And I can't lose that.

Family Emergency

2008-09-14T07:07:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone,

Andy's grandpa died yesterday and we are headed to Michigan for the funeral. I will be away from the bakery for the week and will assemble orders as soon as we return. I think I'm going to dig into my supply of extra cookies for the road trip. I haven't pigged out on chocolate chip cookies in a while and I think this will be the perfect excuse.

Please give everyone you love an extra hug for us today.

Love,

When-Dee & family

My new image

2008-07-10T15:02:00.004-04:00

I decided recently that I was fed up looking like a slob. I have been blaming "motherhood" and being a baker as my excuses because why get all dollied up just to have a child run their gooey hands down your skirt or get covered in egg splatter when making dough. I didn't think I could find the right clothes (at the right price because I'm cheap) all with the right STYLE for me. That was until I found Dickies Girl.

I had only known of Dickies brand as uniforms and coveralls. I had no idea they had this totally hip line of women's clothing at very good prices - (I love What Not To Wear but I don't have the $5,000 Visa card waiting for me). I need to be sensible and Dickies Girl is completely cool. The best part for me is that the clothes are my style and I can wear them for everyday and still look polished when I need to go out in public.

(If you check them out and decide you want to give them a whirl, look at the sales on Amazon which is what I did so I could see how they fit me. Come to find out, the capris and shorts actually stretch throughout the day so I get to order a size smaller next time - woo hoo!)

I can't wait to get my Houndstooth Reva knickers next...with some red patent mary-janes and a black tee, I'll look just like the picture...ha!

Brandermill's paper The Village Mill story on me

2008-07-10T14:56:00.002-04:00

In June of 2007, The Village Mill paper, our local Brandermill newspaper did a story on me and Fat Cookie. The copy editor Lynda Raines was the sweetest person ever and I thought she did a great job telling my story. Click here if you'd like to take a look.

Anklets at the gym

2008-07-10T14:41:00.002-04:00

So I was at the gym this morning, and heard this weird noise through my iPod. It was like ka-link...ka-link...ka-link. I couldn't figure it out so I took my ear phones out and looked to the left where the noise was coming from. I couldn't believe what I saw. A lady two treadmills down from me was wearing this huge silver ankle chain. It had beads and little bells and shiny silver pieces. It was wrapped around her athletic sock over her tennis shoe. And everytime her foot went down on the treadmill, it made this clank noise. Now who does that? I know some girls like to wear an anklet when they have on cute summer sandals and want to dress up their lower leg a bit, but c'mon, not at the gym. And if you must wear one, at least get one that you can tuck under your sock. (Maybe she was using it as a weight...ha)

our 4th of July hometown fun

2008-07-04T19:01:00.004-04:00

We had the best 4th of July this year. Our community Brandermill throws one heck of a celebration and it always makes me so happy to live here. A hometown parade in the morning followed by free hotdogs, watermelon and soda down at the lake with music, face painters, a DJ, balloons and a bounce house for the kids. When I stand back to take it all in, it always gets me a little bit choked up - Norman Rockwell would be proud. This year my "take it in" moment lasted for less than a minute because my 4 year old son started his meltdown after standing in the hotdog line with dad. After we got him eating and cooled him down with a soda, he was much better (and all I needed was a minute for that "take it in" moment anyway). Motherhood has taught me to do EVERYTHING quick!

The community also puts on a wonderful fireworks display and this year was the best ever for us. We had always been able to walk down to the lake from our previous home but those of you who frequent Fat Cookie know we had recently moved. We ended up getting word from a friend (thank you Debbie & Paul) that there was this terrific spot away from the big crowd. We checked it out and it was amazing. You got the whole view of the show and we had a terrific time hanging out with them beforehand.

It really was an a amazing year and it was wonderful being with the family enjoying the day (not squeezing in chores, not answering emails, not even checking out what deals were on Amazon). Great parade, fun lunch, fabulous fireworks and the best family in the world. Just perfect.

Those pictures look good enough to eat.

2008-06-04T13:44:00.005-04:00

We are really digging our new site. Things seem to have come together quite nicely with the design and technical aspects of the move. To make it all work we needed some killer photos of the cookies to show how really delicious they are. Enter Bob Schnell.

Granted, Bob's typical subjects are less edible. He is a pleasure to work with. Sometimes "artistic types" can be touchy about their work. Maybe Bob was hiding his irritation, but really we think he had fun doing the shoot and truly enjoys his job. We certainly enjoy the photos. Thanks Bob!

When-Dee Morrison
Mix-Master
Fat Cookie

BAKERY CLOSED JUNE 11th - JUNE 18th, 2008

2008-06-02T13:37:00.004-04:00

GUESS WHAT??? We're moving the bakery and so we're going to be closed for a week. June 11th - June 18th. I apologize for the inconvenience but this is the best thing ever. Great customers like you have helped us grow the company and the need for more space is now!

If you need a gift pronto! however, I can "EMAIL" GIFT CERTIFICATES asap without any problem. SO although they may not get cookies on their birthday, they'll have a heartfelt gift certificate from you in time for the celebration (and then they can order their cookies after I get set back up).

Email me if you have any questions: whendee@fatcookie.com

And again, THANK YOU, for helping me make this company totally rock!

Warmly,

When-Dee

THE NEW WEBSITE IS HERE!

2008-05-18T22:03:00.004-04:00

The new website is up and running which means we probably have some kinks to work out. If you are a customer and are frustrated by something and happen to be reading this, please email me asap and let me know what's up. I am learning a whole new admin side behind the scenes here and any trouble you're encountering on the front lines, I need to know about so I can fix it super fast!

If you're a returning customer, sure hope you like the new design. Thanks again and if you have anything to say... send some love with your fabulous feedback.

When-Dee Morrison, owner

Sunday night, May 18th, 2008

whendee@fatcookie.com

My first screw up (and what I did to try and fix it)

2008-04-04T10:30:00.003-04:00

My first screwed up order happened last week. It was a phone in order and I don't normally handle those, everything goes through the website and it stays nice and organized that way. So I found this order and realized to my horror that it was over a month old. The blood left my head and my heart starting beating so fast - I was mortified! I pride myself on perfection and here I had in my hand the complete opposite of perfection. So what did I do?

First, I did not pass out. I wanted to. I wanted to crawl in a hole and hide from the thought of a customer being disappointed in me and therefore I could no longer live. A little psycho I know but mistakes for me are monumental and business mistakes are the poster child of complete and utter failure.

So again, I did not pass out. I did check all my records to see if maybe I just couldn't remember making this. Needless to say after a giant search, there it was, the fact that this cookie order had been totally forgotten. I quickly and I mean quickly, as fast as I could fly, whipped out some dough, stirred in all the mix-ins and threw those puppies in the oven. They were done in a flash and packaged up to head out in the mail the following morning.

This is what else I did to try and make up for my terrible mistake. I wrapped up another set of cookies for the person who was originally sending them. And then I wrote a note to her explaining what had happened. I told her the truth and I told her that her recipient should be receiving her cookies the same day she would be receiving these. And then I told her how sorry I was (and told her there would be no charge whatsoever).

So off they went, my two little cookie boxes hopefully helping me redeem my company's reputation in the eyes of my trusted elderly lady friend who so nicely phoned in an order to me 4 weeks ago. Fly cookies, fly.

And how did this all end? First I got a call a couple days later from my lady pal curious as to why she got her friends cookies. (I could tell she hadn't read the note yet before calling). The next day I received a message from her and she said the most wonderful things I could imagine. I was overjoyed that she was happy, even though I had messed up really bad, she was still a very happy customer. And she ended the call with ordering more cookies!

So needless to say, I definitely learned a valuable lesson. I learned to say I was sorry if I make a mistake (of course my parents taught me this as a life lesson so it comes naturally), but as far as businesses go, it's okay if mistakes are made. People are very, very understanding, it's how you handle it that either makes them walk away or creates a customer for life.

And I promise you, her next order will be made on time, delivered correctly, and this won't happen again.

Cake for Breakfast

2008-03-25T08:40:00.007-04:00

Today is the 2nd day of Spring Break. Three kids under 6 and a long week of trying to figure how to have fun (and run a business AND be ready for house showings at a moments notice - definition = can't make house dirty). So how did we start our day? We ate some cake for breakfast.

The day can only be a merriment of adventure even if all we do is glue paper plates together...(outside).

The Day My Mixer Broke

2007-02-19T14:29:00.001-05:00

Can I just tell you that today has been awful. I got started late getting orders out and then went to make some dough and my mixer broke. The paddle wouldn't fit into the spring anymore and no matter what I did, nothing worked. I considered it "broken" until the hubby could get home (he's out of town for a few days...bummer) and before I panicked, I realized I had my trusty old hand held mixer.

But I have never made huge batches of dough with that little thing. So as my mixing bowl became fuller and fuller, I had to use every muscle in my arm to see that thing through the doughy mixture. I think I have a Popeye arm right now.

My poor kids, I was freaking out a bit in the midst of all this as I was losing eggshells into the egg bowl (another good reason to always crack an egg over its own bowl, and of course, I got them all out), and then my salt container fell into the sink full of dirty dishes. All they wanted was me to watch them dance to Hi-5 and come and look at their cool fort they made from the couch cushions and I was in the "bakery" running mad, eating Kit Kats and downing Diet Cherry Coke so I could whirlwind my way through the orders. Mind you it was 1pm and I needed to deliver one of them across town by 4:30, and no cookies had even made it into the oven. I still had to get the kids out of their pj's, label bags, package cookies and drive through traffic...aaahh!

Needless to say we made it through all the chaos, as we do everyday, but if I wasn't 5 months pregnant with Kiddo #3, I would indeed be drinking a tall glass of wine tonight (maybe a whole bottle). What a day.

(And I bet the wonderful handyman spouse is going to come home and pop that little paddle right back into the mixer arm and all this will be a bad dream. But I will be grateful as I would hate to have to go buy a new one... (mixer that is, not husband).

VA Tax Form

2007-02-18T09:09:00.001-05:00

Today I filled out my Virginia Sales Tax form (again). It seems after I filed my paperwork, they send you a confirmation packet with a letter with all of your info. You need to check it and make sure all is good. Now I don't know if this just happened to me or if this is common practice, but I had to fill out the form because they needed my FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)(TIN)(FEIN).

The rant here comes from the fact that on the exact form I was filling out, my FEIN was under my business name at the top of the paper. It was also on the cover page where they explain all the instructions to you. When I registered initially with the VA Tax office, they are the ones who gave me my Tax I.D.!

I guess they really want you to be aware of your number and by the time you have filled out their continuous confirmation forms, you should have that fantastic number memorized.