Meet Kelsey Dussault | Cookie Artist & Small Business Owner

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

Hi Kelsey, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
If you had told me 10, or even 5 years ago that I would own and run a small business as a cookie artist, I would have told you “there is no way!”

I started my career in fashion and retail, and loved every minute of it. This business started out of a need for a creative outlet. After I had my first child, I lost my job the day I came back from maternity leave- yes, it was as awful as it sounds. My world was rocked. So about a month later, I decided I still needed something for me. I’ve always enjoyed painting, drawing, and baking. So, after ordering some cookies for a friend’s baby shower, I thought “I could do this!” I made a set myself, posted it on Instagram, and people reached out asking if I could make some for them… almost 4 years later, this is now my full time job!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
If you ask anyone who knows me, I put 200% into anything and everything I do. I am dedicated and ambitious, which I think are two qualities anyone who is starting their own business needs to be.

I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, and I love all aspects of this business, which may just look like baking and decorating cookies, but it also includes all the marketing, social media, finance and planning, etc. Running a business is exciting to me – in fact, I even have a consulting business on the side still helping small retail start ups get going.

What I’ve learned along the way in the last four years is that starting any business is going to be difficult. There are times when it all seems to be going wrong, when business is slow, when you make mistakes. But it’s also such a thrill and so exciting to see what you are able to build. I’m so proud of this business and artistry I’ve created. I’m in awe that people want to have my artistry/baked goods as a part of their life’s celebrations.

What I want people to know about my story is that getting one big door shut in your face doesn’t mean your journey ends. It really could just be the turn you needed to take on a journey you had no idea was waiting for you. Like I mentioned earlier, I started this business because I lost my job the day I returned from maternity leave with my first child. Talk about devastating, but I didn’t let it define me or defeat me. I decided to start something new, completely different, and completely my own. Four years later, it’s now what I do mostly full time while I help others start their own businesses, too. I love every minute of it.

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?
Oh this is a fun one! Well, I actually just moved to Fort Worth from Dallas about two years ago, so I still feel like a new comer from time to time, which is fun!

I would take them over to Clearfork, we could have breakfast at Press and walked the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday then head over to the shops for the afternoon. I’d make sure to take them to my favorite date night spot in town, Clay Pigeon, for dinner one night. I’m never disappointed in their food, drinks, or service! We’d be sure to spend a day over in the historic Stockyards. There’s so much to do over there now! We could even do a little staycation at the Drover and grab drinks at the bar before heading out to shop, walk around, and enjoy the area. My favorite place to get dinner in the Stockyards is Caterina’s (I love the “no cell phone” rule, too!)

A few other restaurants we’d be sure to go to are Olivella’s (my favorite pizza in town!), Maria’s, and a stop by Roy Pope Grocery.

For shopping, I would take her to Babies on the Boulevard for her little ones, and then head over to Local Design Studio for the cutest little shops in town!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I need to give the biggest thank you to the most supportive husband who has been my number one cheerleader and constant believer in me and this business. He’s also let our kitchen turn into a bakery and helps me out on those late nights when we’re up baking until early hours of the morning.

I also need to give a shout-out to my friend Lauren who was my first paid customer and the first person to tell me I needed to take this full time one day. Everyone needs friends like her in their life!

Website: alittlesomethingcookies.com

Instagram: @alittlesomething_cookies