From the blending bowl to the Tremendous Bowl: Why this KC baker’s cookies are flying with the Chiefs to Arizona
Editor’s word: The next is a part of a multi-story characteristic profiling Kansas Metropolis small companies reaping wins because of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 2023 Tremendous Bowl bid. Click on right here to learn extra from this restricted collection.
Ali Madden’s frosted confections are withdrawing this week — sending the cheeky cookie firm to new heights, actually, alongside the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The Heartland Cookie Co. scored a take care of Airshare — a non-public aviation firm in Lenexa, Kansas — to make treats for the Chiefs to get pleasure from on their flight to the large recreation, the bakery shared.
“It’s undoubtedly been actually cool to have the ability to make cookies that Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid get to eat,” Madden stated. “Particularly once I’m placing Andy Reid’s face on the cookie.”
As a customized cookie maker, the The Heartland Cookie Co. proprietor already felt the fast influence from an energized Chiefs fan base — made much more worthwhile with a successful playoffs run, she stated.
“Individuals are getting collectively to look at the video games, firms are celebrating — inflicting loads of last-minute enterprise for a corporation like mine,” Madden famous. “With all the struggles this previous yr and a half with inflation, the additional revenue generally is a recreation changer.”
Click on right here to observe Mission, Kansas-based The Heartland Cookie Co. on Instagram and to take a look at Madden’s seasonal sugary choices.
However not solely do the celebrations result in extra fast orders and revenue, a Chiefs-infused NFL playoffs season brings long-term advertising and marketing advantages as effectively, Madden added.
“Lots of people will order [cookies] for the primary time for the Tremendous Bowl after which change into repeat prospects,” she stated. “Or their buddy or firm may have ordered some cookies, after which they’ve me in thoughts for his or her subsequent occasion.”
Madden based The Heartland Cookie Co. in 2019. As a full-time wedding ceremony planner, Madden’s cookie enterprise allowed her to proceed working in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted giant gatherings.
“I’ve began taking much less weddings since my cookie enterprise has gotten so busy,” she stated, noting that between Valentine’s Day and the Tremendous Bowl, she’s been fully booked.
Between Madden’s creatively brazen designs and her signature cookie recipe, The Heartland Cookie Co. has garnered over 7,000 followers on Instagram.
“I’m generally known as the lady who makes inappropriate cookies, and I sometimes get a bit of little bit of hate — however more often than not, persons are tremendous supportive,” Madden shared. “I’m undecided what began all of it; I simply don’t take myself too critically.”
Having grown up in Kansas Metropolis for many of her life, Madden has seen how the Chiefs influence greater than enterprise, she stated.
“It’s not at all times been this enjoyable to be a Chiefs fan,” Madden stated, laughing. “Their success has been wonderful — not just for my enterprise, however persons are simply extra excited. There’s extra delight within the metropolis, and I really feel like everybody’s nearly a bit of nicer to one another.”