Learn more about Bryant Jones and Andrea O’Neal, Co-founders of Bee J’s Cookies! Bee J’s Cookies is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to expand their product offerings.
Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit more about you. What is your passion behind your business?
We're Andrea O'Neal and Bryant Jones, co-founders of Bee J's Cookies. Bryant learned the art of baking from his grandmother, Sweetie. Throughout his life, he's always baked goods for family members, friends and co-workers. Andrea is 1 of 5 kids and the kitchen has always been the center of her childhood home. We believe in the convening power of food -- especially sweets! Our ideal sweet treat is something that you have to go back and get second helpings. That's what we strive for in our cookies.
Did you always know you wanted to start a food business?/What did you think you wanted to do professionally?
People have suggested Bryant open up his own bakery or sell his treats at farmer’s markets since he was in college. At one point he was helping a friend make spiked cupcakes (which are delicious). Bryant actually wanted to be a lawyer. He decided not to pursue law school after earning his masters from Georgetown.
Why did you start your business?
Bryant graciously says that the business is Andrea's brainchild.
When Andrea first met Bryant he would make her cookies, cupcakes and delicious meals. Everything was made from scratch. After sharing some of the treats with her co-workers she was getting pestered about selling them. One evening Andrea and Bryant decided to look into commercial kitchen spaces and the rest is history.
What did you do before starting your business?
We still both maintain day jobs. Andrea is a Senior Communications Manager at National Geographic Society. She has the very cool job of elevating new discoveries, expeditions and amplifying the importance of protecting the Earth. Bryant is a consultant for nonprofit organizations.
What convinced you to take the plunge?
This business has been a labor of love. We're two individuals who put 100 percent into everything we put our minds to. We couldn't just sell cookies at farmer's markets. We wanted to really go above and beyond with this dream and concept.
What do you like about food?
We love the feelings you get. We like to say that Bryant doesn't have a sweet tooth, he has sweet teeth! Oftentimes you can find our fridge stocked with the latest baked good he's cooked up. Bryant's brunches are also legendary. Andrea loves his french toast and his cupcakes.
Food has brought us together, and it's often the thing that brings people together in our families.
What drew you to the food industry?
I think being in food is in our genes. Sweetie made pear preserves from scratch. Donuts, potato chips -- everything from scratch. She never had the entrepreneurial spirit that Bryant does but there are so many great recipes we have in our family that we want to share with the world. Combine our passion with Bryant’s sales background its a recipe for success.
What's the biggest challenge you've faced to date?
One of the biggest hurdles we’ve had has probably been securing investment funding. We're also working to learn the food industry. What we lack in knowledge, we make up for with our work ethic.
Has anything surprised you about starting your food business?
Everyone has a story about how they started making the food in their kitchen. It's motivating to see that everyone started there, and had the vision and gumption to turn something for friends and family into a brand that you can grab in a grocery store aisle.
What's been the most exciting part of starting your food business?
It's always nice to hear how much people REALLY like our cookies.