At just 17, Pedro Florez has transformed his love for baking into a successful cookie business, captivating a loyal customer base and balancing entrepreneurship with schoolwork.

Florez’s journey began during the pandemic when he turned his passion for baking into a thriving business. What started as baking cookies for his family quickly grew into something much bigger.

“I’ve always enjoyed baking, but I never thought it could be a business… One day, I baked some cookies for my family, and they loved them so much I thought, why not share them with others?” Florez said.

As word spread about Florez’s delicious cookies, the business quickly gained momentum. He dedicated countless hours to perfecting his recipes to ensure his cookies would stand out.

“I spent a lot of time perfecting my recipes…I wanted my cookies to stand out, so I focused on making the flavors unique and delicious,” Florez said.

Balancing entrepreneurship with schoolwork has been a challenge, but Florez has found a way to manage both.

“It’s all about managing my time… I don’t sleep much, but it’s worth it because baking is my passion. My friends and family have been really supportive, and I always make sure my schoolwork comes first,” Florez said.

As his business grew, so did his customer base, with loyal supporters appreciating the quality and care of his products.

“I’ve been buying cookies from Pedro for a while now, and they’re always amazing… They’re different from store-bought cookies because you can tell he puts a lot of care into them. The combination of sweetness and a little bit of sea salt makes them perfect,” Susana Pertuz, loyal customer, said.

However, success has also brought competition. Other young entrepreneurs have emerged, including Camila Gutierrez, who runs her own cookie business.

“Pedro’s cookies are really good, and he’s a tough competitor… But we each have our own style. I focus on different flavors, while Pedro has perfected his classic cookies,” Gutierrez said.

Florez views this competition as a motivator to continue improving his business.

“It motivates me to keep improving… We all learn from each other, and in the end, it’s about giving customers the best experience possible,” Florez said.

Looking ahead, Florez has big aspirations for his business. He hopes to expand his offerings and eventually open a small shop.

“I’d love to open a small shop one day… But for now, I’m working on creating new flavors and maybe offering cookies for special occasions,” Florez said.

Most of his earnings are reinvested into the business, allowing him to purchase better equipment and ingredients to maintain the quality of his cookies.

“I don’t keep much for myself,… I want to keep growing the business,” Florez said.

As Florez continues to grow his business, he remains grateful for the support he has received.

“I never thought it would get this big… But I’m really grateful for everyone who’s supported me. This is just the beginning,” Florez said.

For his customers, the message is clear: Florez’s cookies are here to stay.