Meet Laura DeNeui | Cookie Artist!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura DeNeui and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor for my success would be a having a great consistent product- cookies, that people remember and love. That leads to repeat business, word of mouth advertising and more followers! I feel especially successful when it’s the kids who remember my cookies as “the best they’ve ever had”, that feels very genuine.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Cookie decorating has become very trendy and there are lots of accounts to follow these days on social media. When I started 18 years ago there were not many companies making hand decorated cookies. One challenge was getting the exact cookie cutter that was needed for a special order in time. So I learned how to make my own cookie cutters. This was years before 3D printers were around! I still use the same technique today! I still enjoy making a new cutter and decorating it for the first time, being able to post it on social media and have a new idea out in the world almost instantly.

When I first started selling my cookies, I sent out a lot of samples to companies online and started wholesaling through their websites. Once they tried my cookies and knew they were a good product, it was an easy sale. The most important thing is to have a consistently good product.

It’s also important to stay current and use the best available technology. I recently purchased a printer that prints in food coloring and prints directly onto the cookies. The images are truly amazing and we’ve had new customers this year like the LA Dodgers and Netflix to name a few.

In an attempt to stay current but also lead the way…I’ve created a new app called ARlink. This app makes cookies sing! The cookies are personalized with a picture that the customer supplies. The cookies are then sent to the recipient who scans the cookies and a personal video begins to sing! There’s nothing like it! The sky’s the limit on how to use this new advance in cookie design!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, Los Angeles has everything! But the usual highlights would be Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach, Hollywood Blvd., Rodeo Drive, etc… I would start with a picnic at Elysian Park. From there you can see Dodger stadium and downtown. Another day we would definitely walk up the stairs in Culver City, at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, the views from there are unbeatable. We would have to go to Marina Del Rey, see the seals on the docks and eat great seafood in the Marina. Talk about great seafood, how about The Reel Inn in Malibu. Their Bloody Marys are terrific. For some old school vibe, I would take them to Lowry’s on La Cienega Blvd. If we were in the mood for live jazz music, then Industry Jazz Cafe would be the place to go on a Friday night. Live jazz musicians and great Ethiopian food you don’t want to miss. Of course there’s Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, etc.. but my favorite museum to visit is the Museum of Jurassic Technology. There is no place like it. I would also suggest the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. There is so much to do, they would have to come back for another visit!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my new wife Rebecca. She has been instrumental in her support of the business and because of her input and suggestions we have doubled our sales last year. She is a numbers person and has helped in organizing and improving important bookkeeping structures.

Website: www.sunflowerbaking.com

Instagram: @sunflowerbaking