Occupation: Cookier and SAHM
Husband: Nathan Rust
Children: Elijah, 10, and Grace, 6
Hobbies: Cooking, baking cookies. I love spending time with my kids in Baton Rouge, going to the parks, family time, and working out
As a noteworthy cookier in Baton Rouge, Amanda Rust is known for her sweet treats and as the go-to person for her children’s teachers. Beyond her bustling kitchen where she creates her delightful collections, Amanda is a devoted parent of two and an active volunteer at her child’s schools. Join her on a delicious journey where we learn how she became the cookie connoisseur she is today!
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
AMANDA: I’ve been decorating cookies for about six years now. When I was pregnant with my first, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to pick up a job on the side of being a stay-at-home mom. I’ve always been creative and picked up things to do to provide for our family. For a while, I was buying cookies from someone local and kind of got interested in cookie decorating.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COLLECTION?
AMANDA: My favorite collection has to be bridal shower cookies. Most of them have soft color palettes, swirls, and lots of gold.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN EACH PROJECT WHEN IT COMES TO CREATING AND CRAFTING NEW IDEAS FOR
YOUR BUSINESS?
AMANDA: One thing with cookie decorating and baking is it’s really important to stay on top of what’s trending. I use social media a lot to get ideas. For Christmas, Taylor Swift cookies were a huge hit. A lot of people ordered Taylor Swift cookies for “Swiftmas.” I think that always staying ahead of trends is important. You want people to see your work and feel like it’s the first time they’ve seen something like that.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
AMANDA: I’m an early riser. I enjoy my time alone in the morning with my cup of coffee. I love that time of the morning when it’s just me, my cup of coffee, and silence.
WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
AMANDA: I wake up at 5 a.m. and go to the gym until about 5:30 a.m. Then, I come home and get the kids up and ready for school. I drop them off at school. I come home and make my to-do list for the day to make sure I check off all of my boxes. I do well with a list. Typically it includes anything from cookie errands, groceries, online orders, and then normal household chores. Then three o’clock rolls around, and it’s time to get the kids. After that, it’s piano and gymnastics. Once all of this is over, it’s time for dinner, homework, and finally, bedtime. Most evenings I will finish my work that I didn’t get done for the day.
WHAT’S A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC IN YOUR WORK ETHIC AND PARENTING?
AMANDA: It’s really hard work. I’m a hardworking person, and it takes a lot of work to do what I do. There are so many things I need to do with parenting and cookies. It’s not always easy. You have to power through. I love to work hard, and I am determined to do whatever it takes to get everything done.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF BEING A MOM?
AMANDA: The thing that sticks out to me the most is the unconditional love my kids give me. It’s my biggest joy. They love me so much and never notice the small things that I notice or don’t like about myself. My joy comes from the love they give. I would say my biggest challenge is learning how to regulate my emotions. I don’t want to take my problems out on my kids or lash out at them due to my inner struggles.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PARENTING STYLE?
AMANDA: I am extremely involved with my kids. I love that I have the flexibility during my day to be with them at the schools, volunteer in their classrooms, and do school activities together. I like to know what they’re doing and be a part of whatever it is.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AS A FAMILY?
AMANDA: Friday nights are family game nights. I will throw a Draw 4 at anybody. I’m competitive. We also like to go to the zoo and our neighborhood park.
HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN ALIKE AND DIFFERENT?
AMANDA: My oldest, Elijah, we love food. We love to cook and bake together. He loves to be in the kitchen with me. As for our differences, he’s so much smarter than I am. He knows so much about history and different cultures. He loves to learn about Holland or any European country, an overall history nut. With Grace, she is so much like me. She is creative and artsy, and always down for a craft project. Grace is super social and I am not that way at all.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOUR CHILDREN HAVE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF?
AMANDA: I never realized how selfless I could be. I would do anything for my kids. My ability to be selfless has grown from becoming a mom.
WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOTS?
AMANDA: We take a beach vacation every year in the summer. My kids get so excited for trips to 30A where they can bask in the sun, collect shells, and play in the waves.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DATE NIGHT WITH YOUR HUSBAND?
AMANDA: We are foodies. We love to try new restaurants here. Every date night, we end with a drink at Mid City
Beer Garden.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL PARENTING?
AMANDA: Allowing your kids to be themselves. Creating a safe space for your kids to be who they are.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER PARENTS?
AMANDA: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I realized a long time ago that lack of sleep and everything weighs on you. I wish I would’ve asked for more help.
ANY ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS JUST GETTING STARTED?
AMANDA: The biggest thing for my business is networking. It’s so important to talk to people. You’d be surprised at how far word-of-mouth goes. I’ve never paid for advertising. I’ve used
word-of-mouth and got the word around. People want to support you and it’s the power of telling your circle. Use social media for advertising.
ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MOMPRENEURS?
AMANDA: Be intentional about finding your balance. It’s hard when you’re zoned in on something work-wise, and have a thought of “Oh I need to spend time with my family.” That time passes so fast, and you must have an adequate balance so that you can accomplish your business goals, and make time to spend with family. Always work to achieve that work-life balance.
Quick Q&A…
My favorite TV show is…We love The Office.
I can’t stop watching…I love watching Reels. It’s fun to see how creative people can be.
I love singing along to…I’m a Swiftie.
I always feel my best when I…go to the gym.
My favorite dessert is…brownies, even better with ice cream.
My favorite food is… Mexican food.
My favorite holiday is…Christmas.
My guilty pleasure is…Shoes.
My favorite book is…It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.
