Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Gordon.
Ava, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2015, I rebranded our company after changing the name to Agortles Desserts. Agortles is a derivative of my name and my two grandparents names. Our vision is that we will never forget tradition (grandparents) and always add a pinch of originality(my modernized twist… but not too far off). Our focus is specific to what you would find in the kitchen when you came home from school. Our product falls in-between the local grocery store convenient product and specialty shops.
My son needed money for college, so I got on the streets of Evanston, IL selling cookies to our local barber shops and salons to then gain the name “The Cookie Lady of Evanston” Our story has many moving parts, but all make us who we are today.
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?
Not by any means has this journey been easy. Not only do I run this business by myself wearing every single hat! I also work a full-time job waking up after only getting four hours of sleep… to sit at a desk in Investment Services for ten hours. It is a daily grind and not for the weak heart. You must stay focused, and a lot of times that means shutting out the world, so you are not distracted. You are forever planning, developing, staying organized, staying motivated… when no one is there with you late at night. Or when your small business is a delivery service.. and your car is on its last leg, and you take a chance driving it to the South Side at 5 am before work. Or the shared kitchen you were granted to use… turns out not licensed and packing up to use another kitchen in the midst of a huge event! To be excited about gaining new clients, but losing one as fast as you gain one. The business is hard, and persistence becomes your middle name. People ask me about every day “Ava how do you do this?” I just keep telling myself and them. I continue to stay strong and believe that if I just don’t give up… keep up the good fight even when it seems impossible. The challenges are real, but can be overcome if YOU JUST DON’T GIVE UP!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Agortles Dessert Shop – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
AGORTLES Dessert Shop is a manufacturer of nostalgic made-from-scratch desserts that makes you slow down, reminisce and enjoy!
Inspired by the influences of tradition we are a local manufacturer of baked goods, specializing in our very own line of gourmet cookies, cakes and much more. Our name is unique as is our recipes; featuring a variety of traditional family favorites with a touch of “nutritional value” additions. Free of artificial preservatives, colors, and sweeteners; we pride ourselves on using high-quality ingredients while organically adding love into each product.
Our baking company products have prided themselves on offering great tasting, and affordable Nostalgia can take many forms; just like certain songs remind you of your past. So do flavors and certain baked goods. AGORTLES is inspired and committed to recreating an experience through desserts that draw on fond memories from the good ol’ days.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans are still blurry as to what our future holds. Our current delivery system of orders upon request are about as far as I can think at the moment. The only next set of big plans are to finally become a part of the e-commerce community with a website that will then be able to take orders and expand our customer base as far and wide as we can!
Contact Info:
- Website: agortles.com
- Phone: 847-440-4996
- Email: agortlesmadeit@gmail.com
- Instagram: CookieLadyofEvanston / Agortles_Dessert_Shop
- Facebook: Ava Gordon / Agortles Dessert Shop
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