One Smart Cookie: Meet Mr. Cory

This post originally appeared on Rebelle Society entitled “When Life Gives You Chocolate…Bake Cookies!” and is authored by Sharon Pingitore. 

{Editor’s Note} There’s been quite the buzz around Bergen County about Mr. Cory and his Homemade Cookies. So when my good friend, Sharon Pingitore of Mamaste, told me she had the chance to interview him, I knew it was something I had to share with my readers.  Pretty amazing what this 9-year old has accomplished thus far!  Enjoy:

Last Friday morning, we ventured out to the Englewood New Jersey’s Farmer’s Market. This is a summer-time tradition in our neck of the woods.

We were treated to such delightful aromas as artisan breads, award-winning bar-b-que, and tables upon tables of fresh, local produce. Nestled in the back row was a little table, with a handmade sign saying, “Organic Cookies.”

Not one to pass on a homemade goodies, I asked around, what makes these cookies so good? A gentleman proceeded to tell me that these were Mr. Cory’s Homemade Cookies, the likes of which you will never find.

And who walks up to the table but a little guy with a smile, a pair of glasses and an afro, all bigger than he was. This, I learned, was MR. CORY…aged 9!

Mr. Cory

After finding out a little about Mr. Cory and his mom, Lisa; and after purchasing these delectable delights, we exchanged contacts and made plans for an interview with the young entrepreneur.

The Story: 

Lisa and Mr. Cory lived uptown, in Manhattan. Mr. Cory has been working since he was an infant. He is a model and has been in numerous commercials: Ralph Lauren, Sony, Pillsbury to name a few. Looking at him, you can see why. He has a big dose of personality and business has been in his blood.

When he was 6, he had a lemonade stand in front of his apartment. This proved so successful, he continued to have them. He created his own recipe of a frozen hot chocolate. He ventured downtown and added his cookies. Business was booming. Mr. Cory perfected his offerings. He asked questions to his customers. He researched, watched the cooking shows, went to the library, just so his cookies would be perfect. All this, before he turned 9.

But, Mr. Cory has asthma. Lisa, being the supermom that she is, realized the city was no place to raise her son and the fresh air of suburbia beckoned them. They settled in Englewood. They start selling his cookies in the park down the street. Someone snitched on them and they were shut down by the Health Department.

Enter Mr. Tod, of Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory. (You may have seen him on Shark Tank.) Mr. Tod graciously offered Mr Cory & Company (mom) the use of his commercial kitchen so Mr Cory could bake his cookies under the Health Department’s guidelines.

M: Mr. Cory, why cookies?

MC: Everyone was baking cupcakes, or cakes and no one was making cookies.

M: And why did you want to turn this into a business?

MC: Well, I wanted my mom to have a car. She said, “No Cory, we’re going to save for college.” And I said “No — Yes. We will save for college AND get a car.”

Mr. Cory is branching out and he has a Go Fund Me page to raise money for a delivery vehicle, so he can deliver his delicious treats throughout New York and New Jersey.

His cookies are “50% organic.” He will work on a Kosher recipe when he “gets into the millions or billions. Right now the business is just getting started, so we’re not there yet. But when we get there we will have the power and the glory!”

Yes, Mr. Cory, of course you will!

M: Mr. Cory, how do you get people to know about you?

MC: I put flyers out, on car or in stores. I sell them at the Englewood Farmer’s Market and a few local restaurants. Once people taste them, they love it.

M: What are the flavors you offer?

MC: Sugar-Free Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Peanut Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and Custom.

M: What has Mr. Tod taught you?

MC: Mr. Tod is my business mentor. When I told him how much I was selling my cookies for, he looked at me like I was crazy. He helped me price them.

M: Where do you see yourself in 2015?

MC: With a delivery vehicle, doing well…in the millions.

You can find Mr. Cory on his website, MrCorysCookies.com or help him get his delivery vehicle here.

Oh… he gets an allowance.