From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2022. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL’s in these archive episodes are still relevant.

In 1999, Tiffany accidentally stood up Leon Chen for a date. As an apology, she baked and delivered a batch of warm cookies, and the concept of warm cookie delivery was born.

Apple | Spotify | iHeart

Guest Resource

Tiff’s Treats Cookie Delivery Website – Visit and get a 20% discount on cookies and/or her book, It’s Not Just Cookies! (Sorry! This offer was active when this episode was first published in 2022. This offer is no longer available.)

3 Value Bombs

1) You have more chances to succeed if you build and focus on growing your company first before raising money.

2) You can do it. If you’re looking to start a business, or you’re early on in your business, and you are unsure about your next growth step, have confidence in yourself. It can be scary, but go for it anyway.

3) There is no one way to get it done.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: How College Sophomores Turned $20, a Cellphone and a Dream Into a Cookie Company with Tiffany and Leon Chen

[1:57] –Leon and Tiffany share how a college apartment cookie delivery service turned into a hundred-million-dollar-and-growing business.

It started when Tiffany stood Leon up on a date.
As an apology, Tiffany baked cookies for Leon.
As soon as Leon took a bite of the cookie, he had his ah-ha moment!
Leon and Tiffany started the warm cookie business in a college apartment two weeks later.
They are still doing it 23 years later.

[4:04] –How did Tiff’s Treats become a technology-driven consumer brand over the years?

It was a product of their problem-solving – of not having software to handle their services.
They hired software engineers to build them custom software.
Since then, they have continuously developed the platform that runs their business.

[5:29] – Leon: What are the biggest struggles you face in building the software side of your business?

The most significant struggle they encountered was they kept hiring software developers who told them they would do the job, but then ended up not returning their call.
Finally, they connected with someone who helped them, and that individual is now their Chief Technology Officer.

[6:47] – Leon: What is the secret to raising hundreds of millions of dollars from investors?

They started in 1999, but they did not ask for funding until 2008.
You’ll have more chances to succeed by building and focusing on growing your company first before raising money.

[7:49] – A timeout to thank our sponsors!

Gelt: Tax season might feel far off, but the real planning happens now. Get a personalized consultation and 10% off your first year when you mention Entrepreneurs On Fire at JoinGelt.com/eof!
HighLevel: The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies! Learn more at HighLevelFire.com!

[10:13] – Tiffany: Tiff’s Top Five Core Values that guide the company.

We Make People Happy
We Make It Right
We Protect The Brand
We Are Passionate
We Adapt And Grow

[15:28] – Leon: The Three Cornerstones of the Tiff’s Treats Brand: Technology, Charity, and Warm Moments

Warm Moments: People were ordering Tiff’s Treats warm cookies as a way to connect and comfort one another.
Charity: It started with the opening of their 2^nd location, in 2006. They give 100% of the sales to their local charity for every opening.
Technology: They are an e-commerce brand, and they spend 10% of their sales on building their technology. Their goal is to make the customer experience seamless.

[19:26] – Tiffany and Leon: How was that process for you two with writing your first book together – Not Just Cookies?

They struggled at first, but Leon suggested writing together in different voices, and then it became easy.
The fun and rewarding part was reminiscing about some of their early struggles, and looking back at their incredible inflection points – not just in their business but in their lives.

[21:49] – Tiffany and Leon talk about their book, It’s Not Just Cookies!

It’s Not Just Cookies is about their struggles in starting their business and the lessons they’ve picked up along the way.
They hope that aspiring entrepreneurs can relate and get inspiration out of it.
If we can do it, you can too.
Tiff’s Treats Cookie Delivery Website – Visit and get a 20% discount on cookies and/or the book, It’s Not Just Cookies!

[23:46] – Tiffany and Leon’s parting piece of guidance.

You can do it. If you’re looking to start a business or you’re early on in your business, and you are unsure about your next growth step, have confidence in yourself. It can be scary, but go for it anyway.
There is no one way to get it done.

[25:46] – Thank you to our Sponsors!

HighLevel: The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies! Learn more at HighLevelFire.com!
Freedom Circle: A powerful community of entrepreneurs led by JLD! Are you ready to go from idea to income in 90-days? Visit Freedom-Circle.com to learn more.

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!

How College Sophomores Turned $20, a Cellphone and a Dream Into a Cookie Company with Tiffany and Leon Chen: An EOFire Classic from 2022

Subscribe

Guest Resource

3 Value Bombs

Sponsors

Show Notes

Killer Resources!

Subscribe