Meet Lissa White | Home Baker & School Administrator

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

Hi Lissa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I try to do everything that I do with a sense of excellence and with a sense of purpose. This has been true with my cookie business as well. I think about the celebrations and people behind each custom order, and work to create something unique and special. I really put my heart into baking something that looks beautiful and tastes great as well. My hope is always to add something special to the celebrations that people are ordering cookies for. I think this translates well, and my customers have been amazing at spreading the word about my little home baking business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an elementary principal by day (which I absolutely love) and a home baker by night. I’ve always been a learner and have always had a creative side. About 8 years ago, I wanted to learn to make decorated sugar cookies. Little did I know that I would be instantly hooked and that it would turn into not only a small business but a relaxing creative outlet. Lissa’s Custom Cookies came after seeing how fun and creative sugar cookies can be, and how much joy they could bring others!

I started out small, making random cookie sets and posting pictures of my progress on social media. I shared the cookies that I made, and soon that turned into a few orders…then more and more. A professional website, logo, and motto–“spreading joy one cookie at a time”–followed, and with each order I continued to research, practice, and learn how to make my cookies even more flavorful and beautiful. I tried different flavors, took a class or two, and even started teaching cookie decorating classes to share my hobby. It has brought so much joy, and similar to doing a puzzle or something that demands concentration, it helps me to step away from the joys and pressures of my day job to focus on creating something small and simple. I love, too, that I’ve been able to connect with students on the things that I’ve learned in my small baking business. For example, doing orders with florals used to cause stress and anxiety! I show them pictures of my early floral cookies, and then talk about how I had to persevere, had to research, and had to practice to get better. I show them my progress and explain that we are all lifelong learners with skills where we can continually improve!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a McKinney resident, I love showing off all of the quaint, fun places that this community has to offer! Having moved from Ohio, I love the trees and small town feel of McKinney Square. There’s no place really like it!

Lately, I’ve been exploring all of the quaint coffee shops on the square and love places like White Bean Roastery and Filtered. I love taking my nephews to Arcade 92! I get to beat them in throwback games like Frogger and Ms. Pac Man, and they crush me in the more modern gaming area. Spoons has a little something for everyone, and the Yard is always a favorite for a great meal and fun in an outdoor atmosphere.

Adriatica has a lot to offer as well, from great restaurants to a beautiful lake and scenic views. My new favorite find, too, has been Sunset Trail Farm where you can pick your own blackberries, see farm animals, and even gather for pick-and-paint evening floral events.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m beyond thankful and am where I am because of my family!

Website: https://www.lissascustomcookies.com

Instagram: lissascustomcookies

Facebook: Lissa’s Custom Cookies

Image Credits
N/A–all my photos of my work