Baking Big Dreams: The Cookie Empire That Became a Delta Airlines Favorite

What do farm-to-table culinary roots, a love story in Bogotá, and a cookie served on Delta Airlines all have in common? They’re all part of Brooke Perez’s journey as the co-founder of Seattle-based Bell’s Cookies. In this episode, Brooke shares how she went from studying at the Culinary Institute of America to launching a bakery in Colombia, and eventually building a cookie brand that’s now enjoyed by thousands of airline passengers mid-flight.

We discuss the real-life hustle behind turning a homegrown dream into a cookie business featured on Delta Airlines, growing a team, navigating setbacks, and staying true to your vision, even when it feels impossible. Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or flying soon, this episode is a masterclass in turning your passion into a brand with staying power.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Bell’s Cookies got on Delta Airlines flights
• The journey from culinary school to global cookie success
• What it takes to scale a product-based business
• Lessons in entrepreneurship, growth, and resilience

This episode is perfect for:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs
• Small business owners
• Food lovers and cookie enthusiasts
• Anyone ready to build a brand that rises above the noise

Hungry for inspiration (and maybe a cookie)? Tune in now and visit www.bellscookies.com to get a taste of the story for yourself.

Are you multi-talented but stuck in analysis paralysis, trying to pick the “right” path? In this episode, Joké Durojaiye shares a powerful, practical approach to help multi-passionate creatives, students, and entrepreneurs overcome the overwhelm and move forward with clarity.

From the advice she gave her college-bound daughter to the lessons she’s learned from her own entrepreneurial journey, Joké breaks down how to identify your “moneymaker talent,” create financial stability, and still leave room to explore your creative passions—without going broke or burning out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why being multi-talented is a gift and a challenge
• The real reason you might be stuck in decision fatigue
• How to identify your moneymaker talent (aka the one that pays now)
• Why your first focus should be income, not passion
• What to do when your dream audience can’t afford your services
• The power of financial stability as a launchpad for creativity
• A step-by-step approach to monetize your talent, even with no budget
• How to set clear monthly income goals and reverse-engineer your success
• Pro tips for building momentum and staying consistent
• The importance of making space to explore passions guilt-free
• Why it's okay to pivot—and how to do it with grace

Joké’s Action Steps for You:

1. Identify your most monetizable talent
   (Hint: It’s not necessarily the one you love most—it’s the one the market will pay for now.)
2. Set a clear income goal and reverse-engineer how many clients or sales you need.
3. Be consistent—a little effort each day adds up.
4. Protect your creative time and explore other talents once your bills are paid.
5. Give yourself the grace to pivot—you're not locked into one path forever.

This Episode Is Perfect For You If:

• You’re a student, freelancer, or multi-passionate entrepreneur feeling stuck
• You have too many interests and can’t pick a focus
• You want to build financial freedom and pursue your passions
• You need a practical approach that doesn’t rely on vague “follow your dreams” advice
• You’re parenting or mentoring someone facing this struggle

Keywords:
multi-talented entrepreneur, analysis paralysis, how to pick a career path, monetizing your talents, income over passion, creative entrepreneurs, choosing a niche, build financial stability, side hustle strategy, multi-passionate advice

Connect with Joké:
Have questions or need help choosing your path?
Email Joké at info@businessofhomestaging.com

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear this!
And don’t forget to follow and subscribe to the Creative Business Mindset Podcast for more real talk on building a profitable, passion-fueled business.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the not so sexy side of business that will keep you in business. A conversation most creative entrepreneurs avoid—but NEED to knwo. Yep, we’re talking money, profitability, and the messy side of business finance. And if the numbers make your head spin, you are in good company.

To walk us through it all, I’m joined by Natalia Zacharin, founder of Zacharin Consulting, where she helps small business owners increase profitability, reduce taxes, and scale smarter using simple financial strategies.

We unpack why so many small businesses—especially in creative industries like home staging—struggle with cash flow and what it really means to run a profitable business.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ Why your bank balance is not your profit
✅ What numbers you need to track—and how to simplify it
✅ The truth about pricing your services for profit
✅ The power of a Fractional CFO (and why you don’t need to be a big business to get the benefits)
✅ How to know when you can afford to hire someone
✅ The difference between LLC vs S-Corp from a tax and cash flow perspective
✅ How to build a sellable business from day one (even if you're just starting out)

Whether you're just launching or scaling up, this episode will help you move from “I’m winging it” to “I’ve got this.”

Because here’s the thing: Creative doesn’t have to mean chaotic.
You can still love the work and run your business like a CEO.

So if you’ve been hiding from your numbers, this episode is your wake-up call. And the best part? We break it all down in plain English—no accounting degree required.

• small business profitability
• how to manage cash flow
• bookkeeping tips for creatives
• how to price your services
• home staging business advice
• creative entrepreneur finance
• QuickBooks for small business
• when to switch from LLC to S-Corp
• understanding your numbers
• fractional CFO services