Meet Johnathon Bush of Not Just CookIes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnathon Bush.

Johnathon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started Not Just Cookies 11 years ago when I was 13, in mom’s kitchen because of my passion for business and love for desserts. I started the business in Toledo, OH and moved to Chicago four years ago to expand the business. We participated in area farmers markets adding additional markets and customers each year.

Wholesale has been our focus, supplying cookies to business and organizations. We’re excited about our new storefront to attract new retail customers and gain more exposure.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think the largest challenge has been scaling my business. Realizing that I can’t bake, take orders, take phone calls and handle the day to day operation by myself. It requires a highly organized team to make a successful company. When I started my business I made a commitment to use only natural ingredients. That is a huge challenge at times because it requires us to charge more than companies that have no ingredient standard.

Sourcing natural ingredients have gotten easier since that market is ever increasing which we are incredibly excited about. Another huge challenge is revenue growth: although we increase our revenue every year it’s a lot of work and challenging at times. A final major challenge would be that I haven’t taken on any investments, investors or business loans. All my growth has been from reinvesting profits back into the business.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Not Just CookIes story. Tell us more about the business.
We bake and sell all kinds of baked goods, such as cookies, pies, brownies. Everything we make is all natural ensuring healthier and tastier baked goods. We also make gluten-free and vegan desserts catering to those with celiac and dairy allergies.

Our most popular cookie is our turtle cookie – a chocolate cookie with caramel, pecans and chocolate chips. That’s my original recipe and has been my best selling cookie since. We also make an incredible sweet potato pie that is very popular and we sell out every week. We produce all of our baked goods maintaining control and excellent quality.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think I’ve been very fortunate with starting my business from nothing; no investment and growing it into what is today, I think I have been blessed!

Contact Info:

• Address: 901 S Plymouth Ct.
  Chicago, IL 60605
• Website: notjustcookies.com
• Phone: 3122852125
• Email: jbush@notjustcookies.com
• Instagram: notjustcookieschicago
• Facebook: facebook.com/notjustcookiesllc
• Twitter: @notjustcookies
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/not-just-cookies-bakery-chicago

Image Credit:
UberEats

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