Meet Laura Terry | Cookier and Small Business Owner

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

Hi Laura, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Over the years I often would volunteer or look for an excuse to bake or cook for others. I once even made a crock pot of cheese grits for my 6th graders because a few had never had the pleasure! Hearing the delight of others enjoying my warm cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, a homemade cheesecake, or a pound cake just because always fills my heart.

I began to admire the work of a friend making incredible cookies and mentioned one day to my teenage daughter (after several attempts to purchase from this very booked friend) “I should just learn to make them.” All it took was a laugh and her saying “that might not be a good idea” to throw me into mastering sugar cookies and royal icing. My colleagues, friends, neighbors, family and gym buddies have greatly enjoyed the last year as I have used every holiday to make more cookies and work on my skills. I never intended to be selling cookies when I started, I’ve just had so many of them tell me I should and here we are. It is a creative outlet that allows me to bring happiness and joy to others

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
https://www.sweetenthemoments.com/about More details here!

Please tell us more about your art. Learning and growing artistry from several cookie groups on social media. The support for other small business and help from other cookiers is amazing. Each month I try to challenge myself with learning and practicing a new technique, most recently growing in painting cookies with a watercolor technique.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. I do this for fun and to enjoy the happiness and celebrations of others! Being that this is a small business in addition to my teaching career I am not driven with dollar signs being my greatest priority or maxing out orders. I’m in this for “the feels” and “the fun” that baking brings to me and to others. Combining that with all profits going to give my children the greatest education possible at top Christian school allows me to be driven by my creations not dollar signs.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? Many hours and research and a great deal of practice. As with my teacher career of 17 years, if I feel I am done learning and growing my craft it is time for me to exit. I continue to challenge my artistic skills and creativity often combined with research and admiring the work of my fellow cookie baking community.

If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Challenges and lessons are about the balance of life. While I could take on more orders each month, I choose to do less and live life. I would rather be able to complete a higher quality product than more orders rushed out. I have had hard weeks getting up at 4am to decorate cookies before going to teach middle school. I’m still learning how to not take on too much each month!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? My values and intentions as a small business is to truly “sweeten the moment!” In life and my career I am always a helper, this small business of baking cookies and bringing cheer is another extention of who I am and how I live life. It’s not ever about the money, always about doing for others and helping them to celebrate the most special moments in life, making them just a touch sweeter. Please check out more details here: https://www.sweetenthemoments.com/about

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Life in the suburbs! Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners, Alpharetta and Milton. Atlanta means so much more than the city limits.

Visit the Braves and the Battery before. See the drumline and hope to get into the Chop House.
Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Carlos Museum at Emory University, day trip to Helen in my Jeep for a little off-road adventure, visit Amicalola Falls State Park for a hike and maybe even Babyland General Hospital if you were a child of the 80’s! A must visit is my favorite museum, The Tellus Museum in Cartersville!

Dining in Peachtree Corners: Lazy Dog and Uncle Jack’s Meat House

Alpharetta: I require my Atlanta visitors to dine with me at Smoke Jack! As a southerner and expert in bbq and sides, they meet all the criteria, even my sweet tea standard! Try the smoked chicken thighs, collard greens and a drink from the bar.

Johns Creek: for a quick lunch/dinner Village Burger is a favorite for my family, we are there several times a month! The burgers are great however, my favorite is their grilled chicken sandwich!

The list for Atlanta is extensive, these are my families favorites!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A special thank you to Johns Creek Sweets https://johnscreeksweets.com/ for giving the inspiration, friendship and support to try something new! Amy Pate at Johns Creek Sweets and so many of my former colleagues at Autrey Mill Middle School have been amazing cheerleaders and some of my first customers. I am blessed to have such supportive friends in my life.

Website: https://www.sweetenthemoments.com/

Instagram: @sweetenthemoments