Hot Cheetos. Pina Colada. S’Moores. Bacon. Whiskey. Rum. This might sound like a shopping list for a fun evening, but these are actually things you’ll find in a new line of cookies from Molly Blakeley, aptly named Molly Bz. The cookie entrepreneur promises a party in every delicious bite. Molly Bz’s story is just as sweet as the treats – a company that started with humble beginnings and grew with grit and gumption. Just like her cookies are packed with flavor and surprises, Blakely is filled with personality and passion. The Alaska-based baker and business woman chatted with Beyondish about her background and what brought her to baking.
I really love a comeback story. Tell me how Molly Bz came to be. What were the first days like? Did you have days where you doubted yourself?
Thank you so much, I was in a small Alaska town as a single mom and down to my last $150. I needed to feed my children, so I started baking weird, fun gourmet cookies. We ate a LOT of Rice-a-roni with a can of veggies in it and I called it a casserole. And I prayed A LOT! There were many days I doubted myself. But then the next day I’d get a ton of orders. Or I was given a shout out by a major media outlet like Buzzfeed or Forbes. It was unbelievable! The momentum just kept building, so I kept going. When the goal is to keep your child fed and a roof over your head, you find a way no matter what.
This isn’t your first business. What have you learned from past ventures, and why do you think this time around is different?
I had started over 12 brick and mortar stores, restaurants, even a roller rink, throughout my career. Some of my businesses did amazing and some failed horribly. I learned each time when I won. When I failed, I lost all pride. I think that is really the secret for me. I’m no longer afraid to fail and I immediately admit when I mess up. I learn, own it and move forward. There’s no reason to be a victim, or blame others. It’s important to be accountable for your mistakes.
Have you always loved to bake?
Haha! This is the best part of all of this. I used to burn cookies all the time. This cookie company is really a divine thing.
Your flavors are truly like nothing I’ve tasted before. Some of them are really out there. How do you come up with so many cookie concoctions?
I’ve always been in the kitchen experimenting. My parents owned a diner for 33 years, so I grew up in the food and beverage industry. I was always playing around in the kitchen with my brothers and parents. It gave me the freedom to have no fear of trying fun things. I started following food trends. I look at the list of top 10 from the current year. I’ll choose two or three of the flavors and start recipe development. This year was amazing because the 2024 food trends to watch by Food Network were my cookies, the Bobadoodles! From watching the trends to being a trend was an amazing moment in my life.
Have you had some cookie flavors that just didn’t work?
Oh yes! I’ve done a few things with ube [purple yam] that were very questionable. I also learned that mochi [Japanese rice cake] quickly melts and gets really sticky. I’ll keep trying though. Ube and Mochi, I’ll be back!
What is the most popular cookie you sell?
The Bobadoodles are taking the world by storm. They are bite-sized shortbread cookies with mini boba gels in a pouch. I’m also coming out with a fifth flavor this month called London Fog. It’s a combination of Earl Grey tea with lavender and lemon mini boba gels rolled in powdered sugar. They have changed my life – SOOO good!
Did you ever imagine your cookies would take off like they did?
Never in a million years.
If you could imagine Molly Bz five years from now, what do you envision for the brand? What are some goals for the business?
I plan to exit in 2027, so my goal is to continue to build as fast as I can and put Molly Bz Cookies in every store in America. I want to be the next Chips Ahoy. I know so many say that, but I’m going to do it! Then I will take the funds from the sale and start a non-profit helping children who age out of foster care. I will give them a place to live, feed them and educate them at our trade school to learn every trade of the restaurant business. Restaurants need workers and kids aging out of foster care need help.
Do you personally have a favorite cookie flavor?
Yes, Big Joe ( coffee grounds and chocolate) and the Cold brew Bobadoodle (coffee flavoring and cold brew boba gel balls). Both have coffee in them, and I love coffee. Someone tell Starbucks I’m ready.
And, lastly, do you have a favorite dining spot in Alaska that you could share with our Beyondish readers?
Yes I do! My brother’s restaurant, Kriner’s Diner, in Anchorage. Everything is made from scratch, and the portions are huge, like they were in the 80’s before people got fancy.
AUTHOR
Elizabeth Hazard is a writer, producer and photography editor. Her work has appeared in various publications and she writes frequently about art, culture, fashion and history.
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