Student’s Small Business: ‘The Cookie Pan’

By Olivia Gonzalez

Isabella Galaviz, ‘22 is a small business owner who sells homemade sugar cookies, while trying to manage a busy schedule as a high school student. 

In the 2020 quarantine, “The Cookie Pan” was established. Galaviz says, “During the pandemic [she] began to bake. After having so much free time, [she] was able to perfect [her] skills and eventually people wanted to order from [her].”

Galaviz was inspired to start baking and selling by her cousin. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her supporting me 110% of the time,” she explains.

There are many challenges that have to be faced when owning a business, “I sadly had to stop taking so many orders and limit myself on the number of orders per week”, says Galaviz.

“After school and homework, I am able to begin the baking process, then the next day, I complete the orders with decorating and packaging. It’s a two-day process just to make it easier on myself,” she adds. 

With selling products to others, comes the joy when seeing them receive their orders. 

Galaviz says, “It is an awesome feeling knowing I was able to start my small business. It took me hard work and practice, so being able to physically share it with others is the best.”

As Galaviz approaches her last year of high school, she plans to continue her business while taking college courses. 

She says, “I want to grow my business into a bigger platform one day,” and “make more cookies as well as sharing cookies with others… hopefully growing my clientele.”

Galaviz makes cookies for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers.

For more information, visit Galaviz’s Instagram page: @thecookiepan.

Tags: clubs and lifestyles, humans of redwood, Isabella Galaviz, Olivia Gonzalez, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, small business, student business