Thriving Together
Eighth Grader Finn Gradias Turns Passion for Baking into Thriving Cookie Business
At Laguna Blanca, our students are always finding creative ways to apply their passions and talents both in and out of the classroom. Today, we’re excited to introduce eighth grade student Finn Gradias who turned his love for baking into a thriving small business. Inspired by family traditions and supported by the skills learned in Laguna’s Middle School Entrepreneurship Class, Finn has launched a cookie company that is already making waves.
In this interview, Finn shares the story behind his business, the challenges of balancing schoolwork and baking, and the joy of creating delicious cookies for family, friends, and customers. From freezing dough to fulfill massive orders to perfecting his craft, this young entrepreneur proves that hard work, creativity, and a little bit of love go a long way.
Read on to learn more about Fig and Sage Bakery and Finn’s favorite cookie!
What inspired you to start your own cookie business?
My mom. She would make sugar cookies for events, and over time I started to help more and
more.
Did you take our Middle School Entrepreneurship Class at Laguna?
I have taken the Entrepreneurship Class. When I saw the course description, I immediately wanted to do it.
When did you first start baking cookies, and what made you decide to turn it into a business?
The first time I made cookies on my own was when I got the Cookie Perfection book in third grade and one of our family friends looked at the front page and said, ‘Can you make that cookie?’ So I did, and then they paid me and that's when I realized I could make money from this.
Do you have a name for your business?
Yes, my company is named after my dog and one of my cats. It's called Fig and Sage Bakery, Cookies, and More.
What’s your favorite cookie to bake, and why?
I really like to make chocolate chip cookies. In my opinion, they are one of the best-tasting cookies. They also don’t take a lot of time to make.
Do you create your own recipes, or do you follow ones you’ve learned from others?
I don’t create recipes but I do tweak them. First, I try the recipe by following the directions, and if there is something that needs to be changed, I change it.
Do you have a secret ingredient or special technique that makes your cookies unique?
Yes, love and also freezing the cookie dough balls so I can bake over 50 dozen in one day.
Where do you sell your cookies, and how do you get the word out to customers?
I sell by word of mouth.
What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your cookie business?
Managing time and school work. At times, I make cookies and do homework and nothing else over the weekend.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting your business?
The more practice and hard work, the better your reputation is and the better your product is.
Where can people find your cookies if they want to try them?
They can just email me at grafin@lbsstudents.org and I will do it for sure.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or your business?
The biggest order I have completed was 65 dozen cookies.
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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.