We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Palat Alexander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey Palat, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Decorated cookies are a labor of love. Cookiers spend many hours researching, designing and planning every set. There are MANY hours that go into baking, decorating, and packaging each set of cookies as well. I always make sure I take photos of each set, for myself, but also to be able to send to my clients as well.  Also, decorated cookies by nature, are not a quick turn around item. Each set is custom made for each client. I require a 2 weeks notice on orders but I’m typically booked at least 1 month in advance. This time helps with planning and making sure I have all supplies needed for each order.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’ve been an elementary teacher for 6 years, but at times it can be stressful. I originally started decorating cookies as an outlet for stress relief. I love that all my worries seem to melt away as I’m flooding a cookie and that I get to be so creative. I can’t lie that I also love filling the house with the smell of butter and sugar! I’ve been decorating cookies for 4 years now. It’s very humbling to look back at pictures from 4 years ago and see how far I’ve come. I cannot tell you how excited it makes me to hand over an order to a customer and hear the excitement as they see their cookies for the first time!
 It definitely wasn’t an easy journey but it’s been one that I wouldn’t trade. The cookie community is absolutely amazing. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. Everyone is always learning new tricks and sharing them or offering classes. I have a wonderful group of cookie ladies that I’ve become close with over the past year and they’ve been a HUGE part of my journey as well. Shoutout to my cookie fam, I love y’all!
I would say one of the things that I’m most proud of is that my cookies don’t just look pretty but that they also taste good. I slowly made tweaks to my recipe for 3 years until I found what I thought was the perfect texture and flavor. My family and co-workers have been wonderful taste testers! I do offer a variety of flavors but the majority of my orders are made with my signature vanilla almond flavor .
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that saying no is okay. As much as I want to decorate cookies for everyone who asks, I am only one person and there just aren’t enough hours in a day.
Another big obstacle I’ve had to face is learning how to balance it all. On top of teaching during the day, I’m a wife and mother to 2 wonderful kids, Bodhi and Carson. It’s really important to me to not take time away from my family either. It’s definitely an eb and flow system, and by no means perfect. It’s something I still work on improving. There have been times I’ve had to cancel orders because of pregnancy or sick kids and my customers are typically all very understanding. Ultimately though, as much as I love my business and making special treats for others, my family will always come first!
My business is named in honor of one of my favorite people, my Grandmother (G-ma), Naomi Fleig. She gave me a love for baking, and I have many fond memories in the kitchen with her. I could not think of anything better than to honor my G-ma by naming my business after her. I even keep her measuring spoons that she used to use in my office.
I want others to know that I pour a ton of love into every single set. I’m passionate about providing delicious and beautiful sets for each customer’s event! I’m constantly working on improving my skills and making each set better than the last.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start the day out by getting coffee and tea at either The Happy Bean or Refined Coffee. We would spend a couple days at the beach and stop at Jetty Shack to get a juicy burger. We would visit one of my favorite local shops, The Lucy Goose Market. They always have such cute clothes and home decor. They also have a Lucy’s Sips and sweets truck in the parking lot that we would have to get a treat from.

We would have a kids day for our little ones and take them to the library, local parks, Kids Party Planet and of course The Sea Center!
For a parents night out we would spend some time at some restaurants in downtown Lake Jackson. Some of our favorite spots are The Fill Station, Wine Revue, Casa Tequila, and Poly Pop. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have been instrumental in helping me be successful and where I am today. My G-ma, Naomi and my mother, Sue, thank you for teaching me many lessons in the kitchen and fostering a love of baking! My husband, Colby for his advice, love, encouragement, endless support, taste testing and honest feedback. You are my rock and I love you! My whole family is a huge support system as well as a few close friends. I never would have taken the leap of starting to decorate for others if it wasn’t for them. My cookie family is full of advice, love and encouragement. My customers are amazing as well! I could not be where I am today without them! Thank you for trusting me with all your cookie orders over the past couple of years.

Website: https://www.naomiandcocookies.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomiandcocookies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomiandcocookies

Image Credits
Cookies: Myself Family Picture: Amanda Reich Photography Photos with logo on cookie: Jackie Sue Photography

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