Tell me a bit about yourself. (Married, kids, hobbies, etc.)
My name is Cassie and I live in central Florida with my husband and my two longhaired dachshunds. I love going to breweries with friends and listen to live music, going to the theme parks when it’s not a million degrees outside, and getting to a beach or a pool as often as I can. I also watch and listen to an obscene amount of true crime.
What are you most passionate about?
I have always been passionate about young girls and speaking life into them, when I was young I ran into a few women in my life who helped mold me to who I am today and I always wanted to be that to other girls I knew. I am also madly in love with music, mosaics, and of course cookie decorating!
What sparked your interest in making cookies? Did someone specific inspire you to start?
I started obsessively watching any and all cookie decorating videos I could get my hands on. Holly Fox was an account that I was just so in love with her design and crisp clean look. I decided one day to “try it out” and it was an epic fail so I tried again and honestly haven’t stopped since.
As a cookie business owner, what are you most proud of? And what has been your biggest challenge?
I am most proud of the growth I can see in my cookies, I am still fairly new so I am still working on my skills (I honestly hope I never stop growing) but I can see a difference from 3 months ago to now and I am really proud of that. The biggest challenge has been finding my client base, word of mouth is so wonderful and referrals from other cookiers in the area but I find myself still struggling for a constant load of work.
Do you have a logo? If yes, what is the significance of it? How did you come up with the name of your cookie business and brand image?
I do have a logo, there isn’t any significance except for I just loved the watercolor look and the colors. I made the logo before I started cookies or I might have tweaked it a bit but now I don’t want to mess with it because it feels like me. I came up with the name Savage Collections because I always wanted to be able to offer different things (mosaics, cookies, logos, invites, paintings, etc.) so that’s where Collections was born and Savage is my last name. I am still working on the branding but I try to stick to what I love because it feels more authentically me.
How long have you been decorating cookies?
I decorated my first cookies September 1, 2018! Almost two years ago!
Do you decorate and sell cookies full time? If not, what do you do when you’re not baking?
As of January 2020 I do!!! I quit my full time comfortable and good paying job in January, it’s been crazy since then but I do not regret it and just keep praying that more clients and orders will come in so I can really give this my all. I love it so much.
What is your favorite and least favorite part of the cookie decorating process?
I have a love hate relationship with mixing colors, I love to make the colors but the process takes forever and is tiring!
Who is the biggest supporter(s) of you and your cookie business?
My husband and my mama. They have been my number one supporters since day one. I also have to shout out my cookie friends, the community is amazing. (I’m looking at you GWIF girls)
Is there someone that has inspired you in the Cookie Industry? Why?
I find inspiration in ALL of the amazing cookiers out there. I love how we all come together and love on and support each other. I do have to say that I am definitely inspired to grow my skills by watching Pinar’s Pittisare (I hope I spelled that right) and how she adds so much depth to her sets. She never fails to blow me away.
How do you balance everything? (Kids, husband, activities, working out, cookies etc)
I am crazy obsessive with organizing my time… I have a time that I don’t like to work past and I make sure I know my schedule so that my family and friends don’t fall to the wasteside when I am busy. That said, when I know I have a busy week coming up I will prep them all so they know if I am MIA that’s why.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things (not people) would you bring with you?
I’ve always wanted to answer this question haha 1. My kindle full of books 2. My two dogs (you said no people but didn’t say anything about dogs) 3. My cell phone so I could buy all the other stuff I needed
What is your best advice to someone wanting to start making cookies for profit?
Practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more. Have GRACE with yourself. Learning new things is HARD and it takes time to build a client base and to build on your skill. You can’t expect to charge the same amount of someone who has been doing this for years right out of the gate. You have to be dedicated and passionate to go down the road because it does take time and lots of energy to build your business. If you have passion and dedication do NOT STOP!! Keep going, you have got this!!!
https://www.instagram.com/savage_collections/
I've known Cassie Savage for over a year and I have loved getting to know her. I am thrilled that you all have gotten the chance to get to know her a little bit better now too! It has been a special joy watching her amazing talent grow. To see where she is now is truly neat. She has become an amazing cookie decorator. Thank you for letting me interview you, Cassie!
