Ashley Folk founded Folkmade Custom Cookies in 2020 after working in restaurant kitchens and catering companies for a decade. Having been furloughed during the pandemic and armed with a culinary degree, formal training, and in-person experience, she ventured into the world of custom cookies to begin her new career. Folkmade offers custom cookies with hand-piped and printed cookie designs for special events like birthdays, showers, weddings, and corporate events. The cookies are made with the finest ingredients, homemade vanilla bean paste & extract, and eggs from her family chickens.
To get assistance with her business in Illinois, Ashley signed up for no-cost advising
sessions at the Illinois SBDC at the WBDC. During these advising sessions, Maura Mitchell, her advisor,
introduced the SBDC’s services and brainstormed what she needed to accomplish; Ashley received
assistance with steps for a launching business and a list of lawyers and insurance agents in Illinois.
Ashley said this experience was productive and positive: “Starting a cookie business in
Illinois can be overwhelming. I was met with the challenges of navigating the entrepreneurial landscape and Maura provided valuable insights and expert advice so I could effectively propel my
business.” She acknowledged that the Illinois SBDC at the WBDC was instrumental in helping
Folkmade’s progress.
Ashley’s success story serves as a testament to her passion and dedication. Since Ashley has launched Folkmade, she has grown her sales and marketing tremendously and invested $10,000 into her business.
