Meet Nancy Barillas

We recently connected with Nancy Barillas and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from my family and my own journey as a mom and business owner. I’ve learned that success doesn’t happen overnight , it’s about showing up every day, staying consistent, and doing the work even when it’s hard. Running Kooky Cookie Confections has taught me discipline and resilience, values that I carry into every order and every opportunity.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the owner and baker behind Kooky Cookie Confections, a custom cookie business based in Houston. What started as a creative outlet quickly turned into a passion for bringing people joy through edible art. I specialize in handcrafted, custom-decorated cookies for all occasions — from birthdays and weddings to collaborations with local businesses, media outlets, and community events.

What I love most about what I do is seeing how a cookie can tell a story or capture a moment. Each design is made with care, creativity, and a little “kooky” personality — whether it’s recreating a client’s vision in icing or designing something completely unique. My goal is to make every order feel personal and memorable.

Over time, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing people and organizations, including Great Day Houston, Tío Choko’s film crew, Channel 2 and 39, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Every opportunity reminds me how powerful small businesses can be in connecting people and celebrating community.

Right now, I’m focused on growing my brand locally through pop-ups, seasonal boxes, and collaborations with other small businesses. I’m also developing new menu items and planning to expand into more event-based offerings. There’s so much creativity and culture in Houston, and I’m proud that Kooky Cookie Confections gets to be a part of that.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have made the biggest impact on my journey are creativity, perseverance, and adaptability.

Creativity has always been at the heart of Kooky Cookie Confections. I’ve learned that standing out in a crowded market means putting your own personality into your work — whether that’s through bold designs, meaningful collaborations, or storytelling through cookies. My advice for others is to lean into what makes your style unique. Don’t be afraid to experiment or take inspiration from unexpected places.

Perseverance has kept me going when things didn’t go as planned — because running a business isn’t easy. There are long nights, last-minute changes, and moments of doubt. But staying consistent, even when it’s tough, builds confidence and resilience. My advice is to remember your “why” — the reason you started — and let that guide you through the challenges.

And finally, adaptability. I’ve had to learn to adjust — whether it’s new trends, pricing changes, or finding creative ways to grow. Being open to learning and evolving has helped me keep moving forward. For anyone starting out, I’d say: don’t be afraid to pivot or try something new. Growth often happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, absolutely! I love collaborating with other small businesses, artists, and community organizations. Some of my favorite projects have been partnerships that bring together creativity, culture, and local pride — whether that’s themed cookie drops, pop-up events, or media collaborations.

I’m especially interested in connecting with Houston-based creators, local shops, and event organizers who want to add a fun, edible twist to what they do. I believe collaborations are a great way to celebrate our city’s talent and support each other’s growth.

Anyone interested in working together can reach me through Instagram @kookycookieconfections, by email at [email protected], or through my website kooky-cookie-confections.square.site. I’m always open to new ideas and creative partnerships!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Lorenzo Barillas

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Working hard in 2024: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made