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Small business owner from Brooklyn Carmen Ladipo, her passion for baking developed at an early age. "I've been a fan of sweets since I can remember," Carmen tells . "In my middle-school years, I was in an class that was that was similar to Home Economics, where we were taught how to make cookies. Once I figured out the ability to sustain my cravings for sweet treats in my own way I was done."

But it wasn't until years afterwards that Carmen started to make money from her enthusiasm by starting a small batch cookies ecommerce business on the side. "I'd been moving to New York City, and was trying to remember how to make friends as an adult" Carmen says. "I joined the local climbing gym and would bring cookies for the staff and other climbers--indeed an effective strategy for making friends." After being "fervently motivated" numerous times to sell her cookies, Carmen took advantage of the time between jobs to sign up her own business for food in Brooklyn.

"It began as an excuse to be paid to bake cakes for my local customers occasionally," Carmen jokes. "But in the past five years, Carmen's Cookies has blossomed into an ecommerce site that has me shipping cookies all across the country to strangers and friends alike."

We spoke with Carmen about how she prioritizes social and environmental impact of her company, the way she manages this single-woman operation with her other responsibilities, and the tools that help Carmen's Cookies operate smoothly.

Prioritizing local community and Social impact

People who visit the Carmen's Cookies website and social media will be greeted immediately with the warm welcome of Carmen's brand, including the tagline: "Providing happiness for your connection." Carmen's selections include the latest seasonal flavor combinations like matcha lemon. They also have beloved classics like the brown butter chocolate chip as well as orange clove. Just a brief glance at the cookies' product reviews to discover how much joy these cookies are bringing to people everywhere.

But right from the start that Carmen's Cookies has been about more than simply selling cookies. "I think that food company owners are accountable towards the planet and to the communities they serve to think about the impact they have on their communities," Carmen says.

"There are so many resources used in the production and sale of food products that bear recognition and scrutiny so that they do the least harm unto the planet. This is why I pay attention to where my ingredients are coming from, and what their producers have a view of their own ecological and social impacts." Carmen is transparent on her site regarding the sources she uses to source her ingredients. There is even an interactive way to find out the source of her baking chocolate directly from.

But her dedication doesn't stop at that point. "It's essential to me to find ways to support the efforts to ensure food justice within the larger Brooklyn area," Carmen says.

"Every year, I pick one that is directly working with its local community to empower economic development and food sustainability. I contribute a percentage of annual proceeds to these organizations because I want Carmen's Cookies to make an impact on the community it is based in." Customers can always check the business's website's About Page to find out where Carmen has been donating a portion of sales.

"As for the Carmen's Cookies community," Carmen adds, "it's been moving to see customers come together in supporting different causes over the years. The ability to facilitate donations of hundreds of dollars to numerous national and local organizations to support marginalized and food justice communities with the help of cookies is a major high point."