Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexis Airington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alexis, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
My entire business was started on this basis, and I was actually a complete imposter! I had grown up with a love of baking, which I received from baking alongside my mom for all my life. However, I had never once made royal icing sugar cookies until I was asked to make them for my son’s school homecoming. I’ve always had a pretty “can-do” attitude, that at times has blinded me from seeing those things that I really “can’t do,” but often we don’t discover if we can or we can’t until we just DO! So I said yes to making fancy royal icing football and megaphone cookies for my son’s little class. I do believe you can learn just about any skill on youtube and social media these days, so I watched a few videos of other bakers making these types of cookies, and just tried it! Lucky for me, I was actually able to catch on pretty quickly. I got hooked and started making them for fun for other events at the school, and then was asked by other parents if I sell them. At this point I realized that maybe I wasn’t just an imposter, and this could actually turn into a great little business for myself and my family. This was in November of 2018, and Improv Cookie Company was born! I am also an actor, so I feel like that background has taught me how to be adaptable and creative. As actors, we are always imposters- but we take what we may not know about a character or story, study it, learn from it, and adapt. I feel like this bled over to my cookie business, and took me from imposter- to simply trying it- to discovering a gift- to building an actual business. Sure, there will always be people who are better at it, have done it longer, and may be more successful- but that doesn’t take away from how far I have come or how far I will go.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the owner and cookie artist of Improv Cookie Company. I make custom sugar cookies for all occasions! From weddings, showers, birthdays, holidays, and babies- I make cookies that are conversation pieces. I love getting to play a part in people’s celebrations and also give them a bit of entertainment through my cookies. I also help companies market themselves with logo cookies and cookies that highlight their business in the sweetest most memorable ways. I also offer cookie cakes for all occasions, as well as holiday cookie boxes. My favorite part of my business is hosting cookie decorating parties. This is a great way to get together and learn the art of cookie decorating with some of your closest friends or family. It is also a great team building activity for any company or corporate group. These events are always my favorite because I love a good party, being with people, teaching, and seeing people’s joy and confidence grow when they realize they can be a cookie artist as well.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Stay Optimistic- you have got to believe in yourself and believe you can do it. As an entrepenuer, you have to be self-motivated to work hard and make things happen. If you let the little things get you down, it can be easy to give up. You have to stay focused on the positive and get back up when you fail. Take the failures as learning opportunities, and choose to grow rather than give up or get bitter.
2. Be Teachable- I had to learn a brand new skill at 34 years old. You are never too old to try something new. Also, don’t be a know it all. Give yourself the space and time to learn, practice, and master the skills. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a master to simply start. I have learned and grown in my skills so much in the past 5 years, and still have a long way to go. But I’ve still made some pretty awesome cookies along the way!
3. Be ready to Hustle- no one is just going to hand you a business. I have given away a lot of free cookies, stayed up many many late nights, spent hours posting on social media, and found creative ways to get my product into the hands of my ideal customers. As a mom as well, I have had to put in extra hours nights and weekends to make it work around my kids activities and schedules or them being at home. It is good to keep in mind that starting a new business is a long game. It’s not going to all work out overnight, but if you are willing to sacrifice and work hard- you will see it pay off.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Many people probably don’t think of the Bible when they think of a book that adds value to a business. However, everyone probably thinks of the character traits that make a successful business that are very much found in the Bible. There are three in particular that came to mind with this question.
First, hard work- Colossians 3:23 ” Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord and not for men.” This verse tells us that we should work hard and try our best at all we do. But also not for the praise of men- because if we have learned anything from the shifting comments on social media- doing our work for other’s praise is a rollercoaster that will never satisfy. We work hard because it honors God and gives glory to Him that gave us the gifts we are using in the first place.
Second, customer service- Matthew 7:12 “…do to others what you would have them to do you…” Be a decent human. Doesn’t that sound basic? But when you start working with people- we need these reminders. Treat others how you want to be treated, even in your business.
Third, use your gifts- Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has given each and every person unique gifts and traits to use to bless others. We glorify God by simply using the gifts he has given us in life. This resonates with me as an artist, to remember that we are God’s artwork- and the world is a more beautiful place when we can use our gifts to reflect Him to the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Improv Cookie Company
- Facebook: Improv Cookie Company
- Other: tik tok: Improv Cookie Company
Image Credits
Hannah Middleton
