She whips up cookies into sideline business
Erin Heflin, 33, opened her own cookie business two years ago.
For a woman who at one time described herself as a “boxed-mix-brownie kind of girl,” Erin Heflin does a lot of baking. Her specialty is buttery sugar cookies topped with intricate, personalized designs. Heflin operates Whip It Good Cookies out of her North Houston home.
“While I was on maternity leave in 2010, I discovered a world full of creative and inspiring women on the Internet who were doing all the things I love to do and blogging about it,” said Heflin. “I ran across a picture of a decorated cookie and immediately thought to myself, ‘I can do that.’ ”
Her culinary talents and unique cookie designs landed her a finalist spot in Martha Stewart’s American Made Awards contest this August when a friend nominated her business.
Out of 2,000 nominees, Heflin’s cookie business was one of 100 finalists chosen to advance. “The winner would be chosen in part by public vote and by the editorial staff at Martha Stewart Living Magazine,” Heflin said. “The voting lasted for two weeks.” During that time, Heflin and her cookies were featured on KHOU Channel 11’s morning show, “Great Day Houston.”
Heflin placed seventh out of the 100 finalists, earning her some serious bragging rights. The married mother of two boys, ages 6 and 2, works a
full-time job as a program coordinator at DePelchin Children’s Center, where she and her staff help find homes for abused and neglected children in the area. “My cookies are my side gig at the moment,” she said.
“After I get home from my full-time job, the hubs and I cook dinner, we feed the kids, do homework, baths, and put the kids to bed. Then it is time for me to get to work on my cookies each night.” Heflin also operates a blog to advertise and showcase her love for all things creative. She maintains contact with her customers and fans via the Whip It Good Cookies Facebook page.
“The community around me has been so very supportive,” she said. “I get to meet so many people right here in Houston and see their faces light up when they see these cookies.”
ABOUT ERIN HEFLIN
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Program coordinator at DePelchin Children’s Center
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Owner of Whip It Good Cookies in Spring
FAST FACT: She wanted to be a police officer when she was a child.
