Meet Elizabeth Pippin Nelson

We recently connected with Elizabeth Pippin Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

Just 60 days after returning from maternity leave, I was laid off—a moment that left me reeling. I had been a top-producing, award-winning saleswoman, someone who had clawed her way to the top despite every obstacle. I had built a sales territory from scratch three times over, and my plan was to grow Milkin’ Cookie as a side hustle while enjoying the stability of my full-time job. But suddenly, that safety net vanished, and I found myself at a critical juncture: sink or swim.

I allowed myself to feel the full range of emotions—anger, fear, uncertainty, sheer panic. But I didn’t let those feelings consume me. Instead, I channeled them into determination and I saw this as an opportunity to focus on building Milkin’ Cookie into an empire while having my newborn by my side.

I began by reassessing the business, taking a hard look at what was working and what needed change. I leaned on my network for advice, seeking support from other women entrepreneurs who had faced similar challenges. Their insights were invaluable as I made tough decisions early on, decisions that ultimately shaped Milkin’ Cookie into what it is today. I rebranded, diversified our strategy, and attacked the business with the same vigor that had served me so well in my corporate career. Most importantly, I learned to trust myself.

There were moments of doubt, but being forced to make Milkin’ Cookie my full-time focus was empowering. It pushed me to take risks, think creatively, and truly believe in my abilities. Over time, I built a business that was not just strong, but sustainable—far beyond what I had initially imagined.

In hindsight, that layoff was a blessing in disguise. It compelled me to fully commit to my dream and showed me that I’m capable of more than I ever thought possible.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Liz, a mom of two from Charlotte, and I’m incredibly passionate about helping other moms, especially when it comes to supporting them on their breastfeeding journey. My journey with Milkin’ Cookie started in a pretty unexpected way. After giving birth to my daughter Clara in 2021, I was gifted a bag of the cookie mix and after baking and eating (too many) of the cookies they had an immediate impact on my milk supply. When I went online to reorder, I discovered that the company wasn’t selling cookies or mixes anymore—instead, the whole business was up for sale. In my post partum haze it felt like a sign, so I jumped at the chance to take over and continue the mission of providing moms with high-quality, preservative-free lactation support products since these cookies had transformed my own breastfeeding journey, I’m literally a walking testament to their effectiveness. With my son, I was only able to breastfeed for 8 months and I was supplementing him with formula the whole time and yet, with my daughter and the help of Milkin’ Cookie I breastfed her for 26 months.

Milkin’ Cookie is more than just a business to me; it’s a way to connect with and support other moms on their breastfeeding journeys. What makes our products special is our commitment to quality. We don’t use any preservatives, and every batch is hand made with care. I want my cookies to be more than just functional—I want them to be something moms (dads, and everyone else) actually look forward to eating. Not only do they help moms make more milk but they’re packed with amazing nutrients that help (the whole family) with their digestion. The cookie mixes allow partners to feel like they’re part of the breastfeeding journey too and they’re a great way to get older siblings involved in supporting mom. Not to mention that baked cookies delivered to the door are always a good idea and super convenient. All this to say I’ve tried hard to provide an option for everyone and to meet all of my customers where they are by offering lactation support to them in a way that makes sense for their unique family and situation.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future of Milkin’ Cookie. We’re exploring new flavors and expanding our partnerships with hospital systems and other healthcare practitioners across the country. Milkin’ Cookie is also growing ‘off-line.’ Our mixes are now sold in retail locations, gift shops, and medical offices throughout the US.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were resilience, adaptability, and a strong network of support.

Resilience was crucial, especially when I was laid off right after returning from maternity leave. It would have been easy to let fear and uncertainty take over, but I chose to view that challenge as an opportunity. Resilience helped me push through the tough times and stay focused on my goals, even when things didn’t go as planned – which was pretty much always.

Adaptability has been another key factor that helped get me here. When I decided to take over Milkin’ Cookie, I had to quickly shift from viewing it as a side hustle to making it my full-time focus. Adapting to new roles, learning on the fly, and being willing to pivot when necessary were essential to growing the business. It’s important to be flexible and open to change because the journey is rarely linear and being clear about you want helps you adapt in ways that are critical to success.

Finally, having a strong network of support has made all the difference. From seeking out other women business owners who offered advice and encouragement, to my husband Red, who has been my rock, surrounding myself with people who believe in me has been paramount to my success. These relationships have provided guidance, inspiration, and sometimes just a listening ear when I needed it most.

For those early in their journey, I’d advise:

1. Build resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Don’t shy away from difficulties; face them head-on and learn from them – be life a buffalo and run into the storm.

2. Cultivate adaptability by staying open to change and being willing to pivot when needed. The ability to adjust your plans without losing sight of your goals is crucial.

3. Nurture your network. Seek out mentors, peers, and loved ones who can support you along the way. These connections can provide the advice, encouragement, and perspective you need to keep going but also, if someone isn’t serving your purpose be willing to loosen ties and seek stronger support elsewhere.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always on the lookout for exciting partnerships and collaborations, especially with other small businesses and entrepreneurs who share a passion for supporting moms, wellness, and family life. I believe that when we come together we can create something truly special and make a bigger impact on the lives of moms and families. Milkin’ Cookie is a great partner for anyone in the perinatal community, the wellness and healthcare space, the gluten free realm, chiropractors, pediatric dentists, gift shops, and so many more.

If this sounds like you, let’s chat! Reach out through the Milkin’ Cookie website or drop me a message on social media. I’m excited to see how we can collaborate and make a difference together! www.milkincookie.com or @TheMilkinCookie on IG.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milkincookie.com
• Instagram: @TheMilkinCookie