Photo Courtesy of Instagram (@mrcory)
The taste of success is pretty sweet for 17-year-old entrepreneur Cory Nieves.
Owner of Mr. Cory’s Cookies, Nieves is the brain and baker behind the cookie brand that produces all-natural and premium cookies using original recipes for cookies like oatmeal raisin, sugar, double dark chocolate and more. And he started it all at the age of six!
After complaining to his mother, Lisa Howard, about wanting to drive to school rather than ride the bus, Nieves devised a master plan to raise the money needed to purchase a car for his mom. The idea — selling hot chocolate in his Englewood hometown.
Howard then inspired her son to continue his business to raise money for college, prompting Nieves to expand his business by selling cookies, lemonade, and his famous hot chocolate. With the help of his mother, the two learned the rules of baking and experimented with cookie recipes.
“We started making cookies out of our home, but we, of course, had to make sure we were complying with health regulations,” Nieves told AfroTech. “We then leveled up and secured a commercial kitchen, and now we mass-produce our product nationwide.”
After working hours to create the perfect cookies, Nieves and Howards started receiving up to 10,000 orders from people all over town.
“While this all started out as a way for a son to help his mom, it’s become so much bigger,” Howard said in an interview with AfroTech. “I know it’s hard for the fatherless kids out there, but he has a drive and a tenacity that prevents him from giving up. He keeps pushing through the ups and downs. When I see my son, I see myself.”
Mr. Cory’s Cookies business has been lucrative for the young entrepreneur. Companies like Mercedes-Benz, Ralph Lauren, Whole Foods, Bloomingdales, Barney’s, Aetna, Citibank, J. Crew, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, TOMS, and Viacom consume the sweet treats.
Mr. Cory’s Cookies is still running, and Nieves plans on attending college and becoming an investor.