57: Worth The Risk: The Crazy Cookie House, With Helen McArthur

Jul 25, 2023

43:05

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How can we differentiate what we do and what we offer to set ourselves apart from the crowd? You're sure to get inspiration from today's episode.

While living and working in London England with her family, Helen McArthur accepted a job in Canada. They packed up, moved, and Helen began applying her background in pensions and communications to her new role.

But...she also brought with her, her talent, skill and passion for baking!

Helen McArthur is the founder and lead baker of a farm stand known as the Crazy Cookie House.

The words "whimsical" and "quirky" come up a lot in this interview. You have never seen a structure like Helen's Crazy Cookie House. Check out the photos for this episode 57 at sidehustlehero.com and you'll see what I mean. Think Harry Potter sorting hat, meets Tolkien's hobbit house.

And her cookies are just as quirky and whimsical.

When Helen started the Crazy Cookie House as a side hustle, she wanted to offer much more than a cookie. She wanted to offer an experience. The result? You'll hear about a dragon, the mouse, and cookies eating other cookies.

What You'll Hear:

03:22 The move to Canada

06:19 Helen knew she needed a USP - unique selling point

07:01 The inspiration for a "big cookie eating a little cookie"

07:55 What you call your offerings is so important

08:54 Describing a "farm stand"

10:29 The Honour system is working well

11:01 Nordstrom example of setting policy for the 98% of their honest customers

13:40 A difficult decision to give up the steady paycheque and benefits

14:31 It doesn't happen without hard work and taking risks

15:48 When making a "sacrifice," rather than look at it as giving up something, view it as a trade for something better

17:56 Media attention, a Tiktok influencer, and 300,000 views later