We sit down with Eva Armenta-Ketchell of Sweet Cheeks Bakery to trace how a messy royal icing hobby turns into a thriving custom cookie business in Farmington. We get real about the time, tools, weather problems, and boundaries it takes to keep quality high while demand keeps climbing.
• turning early “ugly” cookie attempts into steady custom orders through social media
• how COVID-era celebrations drive unexpected cookie demand and shipping opportunities
• the step-by-step production timeline from bake day to packaging
• edible printing, airbrushing, and the tech that speeds up logo work
• why baking can be the biggest time drain compared to decorating
• handling order intake across texts, DMs, and email without losing requests
• humidity, icing consistency, and other behind-the-scenes challenges
• staying small to protect quality and sanity while still growing
• future ideas like CookieCon, professional classes, and kid-focused decorating classes
• what makes business in the Four Corners region feel different
One social media post can change your life, especially when the thing you’re posting is a tray of custom cookies you’re convinced are “hideous.” We talk with Eva Armenta-Ketchell, the woman-owned force behind Sweet Cheeks Bakery in Farmington, New Mexico, about how royal icing experiments turned into nonstop demand, a loyal local following, and custom cookie orders shipping far beyond the Four Corners.
Eva walks us through what custom decorated cookies actually require: a true multi-day workflow, drying time to prevent color bleed, and the constant balance between soft cookies and icing that will finally set. We also get into the tools and tech that make modern cookie art possible, including edible printing for logos and detailed designs, plus the creative problem-solving needed when customers request themes you’ve never heard of.
We keep it honest on the business side too: why Instagram and Facebook marketing works and why posting can feel like creating more work, how she tracks orders without losing her mind, and why “staying small” can be the smartest growth strategy when quality matters. If you’re building a local business, a cottage bakery, or any creative side hustle, this conversation is packed with practical lessons and a refreshing dose of reality. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves small business stories, and leave a review with your dream cookie theme.
