LOCAL: Brands, Businesses + Entrepreneurs | #21 | Muffin Cookie
Kitsap is full of incredible brands, businesses and entrepreneurs who make shopping for unique items in Kitsap a fun adventure.
Muffin Cookie
Caitlin Keely, Owner
About Caitlin
What was your first job?
“Selling day tickets at Crystal Mountain guest services. My best friend and I worked together and we had so much fun! Although we might have spent more on gas money to drive there and back each weekend, we learned a lot and still crack up thinking about our shenanigans.”
Where do you draw inspiration/creativity in your life?
“From celebrations and events! I used to be in event management and loved helping to create events. I stepped away from my career when I became a mommy but I still love to help people celebrate!
Also, from all the other "cookiers" on Instagram that I have interacted with - everyone I have chatted with is so encouraging.”
About Muffin Cookie
How did the idea of starting Muffin Cookie begin?
“I have always loved to bake and would make treats for different events - birthdays, baby showers, and so on. I finally heard ‘you should start a business’ enough times that I decided to give it a try.”
The Genesis
Tell us the story of how Muffin Cookie came to fruition.
“This past Christmas season, I decided to do an Elf on the Shelf project with my nieces and nephews. The elf brought them some templates (stencils of the cookies) to decorate and then their parents sent me a picture of what they drew. Then I turned the pictures into cookies that the Elf brought them a few days later from the North Pole. After I shared the pictures on IG, I had so many mamas in Gig Harbor and Tacoma reaching out asking about it. Since I hadn't started the process of creating my business, I asked for a suggested donation in lieu of payment and ended up raising over $600 for the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. IT WAS AWESOME! I had the opportunity to test the waters and see what I could do and at the same time, spread so much Christmas cheer. I got a ton of pictures from mamas of sweet kiddos that were so excited that the Elf had turned their picture into a cookie!!”
Tell us what/who drives you to keep working hard towards your goals.
“Every order I take on is someone's celebration and I honestly take that to heart. Whether it is a birthday, baby shower, wedding shower, or holiday celebration - I don't want anyone to be disappointed in their cookies.”
Love Kitsap
Tell us your fave local drink spot - coffee, tea, wine, tequila, whatever!
“Heritage Distilling - I love their outdoor patio space and their flavored vodkas. I also love Morso for wine and yummy appetizers. For coffee, I love Kimball's - they have the best spicy chai latte.”
Tell us your fave local spot for a comfort meal - what do you always order?
“For breakfast, it's Devoted Kiss Café and for dinner, it has to be Kinza Teriyaki.”
Live Kitsap
Out-of-town guests are coming for the weekend - What is the most important thing you share with them about the Kitsap Peninsula? Where do you absolutely have to take them?
“A walk along the waterfront in downtown Gig Harbor would be top of the list! On a sunny day, it's so scenic to take in all the beautiful parks and unique shops. I would finish with dinner at Tides Tavern.”
Thrive in Kitsap
Where are your favorite place(s) to get outside? What do you do when you go?
“Crystal Mountain is one of my all-time favorite places. I grew up skiing and we still go skiing almost every weekend during the season. In Gig Harbor, I love going over to Bella Beach on Fox Island with my little one. It's a quiet, beautiful beach where we can look for shells and it's just a short drive home.”
our connections + friendships with local brands, businesses + entrepreneurs is something that makes living in kitsap truly unique. we aren’t just supporting a business, we’re building relationships.
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