In May 2024, jcalzcookies launched. As a 17yr old with no job, friends almost off to college, my life felt heavy and directionless. I didn’t know who I was or where I was headed. I was just trying to make ends meet, paying for my car, clothes, groceries, and everything else I could manage. Cookies became my escape. It felt like therapy in a way whenever I was baking cookies. Selling them around school, parties, and to families and friends every single day. Spending hot days in the kitchen with the oven on while the AC broken was an experience I will never forget. But like a lot of firsts, the burnout came fast. By mid-summer, the ovens were off and I was back at square one.

By Fall, JCALZ(Bakery) took its place. This time, it was even harder. Still 17, now juggling two jobs (In-N-Out and a boba shop), waking up at 5 a.m. to bake, then delivering cookies after night shifts, all while going to college. I was exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I didn’t like who I was becoming. But I kept moving, one cookie at a time.

thecookieproject isn’t just a brand. It’s a statement. It's what happens when survival turns into self-discovery. This was about telling stories, embracing growth, and spreading light. Now at 18, with two jobs (Nike and a country club), full-time school, and a growing clothing line, I’m still grinding. But this time, with a bigger purpose. This brand is my reminder that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. That mental health matters. That positivity can be powerful. Everyone’s going through something, and sometimes all it takes is a message, a design, or a shared story to remind someone they’re not alone.