Marlene Luterman of Calabasas Cake & Cookie Co: Edible Happiness

Reason for starting: 

After spending 30 years in the clothing industry, I was very bored and wanted to exercise my creative muscle in new ways. I saw a unique opportunity in the upscale cookie industry. Knowing that people are always on the hunt for new indulgences, I conceived the concept of a treat inside a cookie–a stuffed, or “Stuft Cookie®." I teamed up with top culinary scientists to create my delectable flavor combinations and cookie formulas. I was shocked when my husband encouraged me to go for it. I figured if I don’t try, I’ll never know. It was a bold move but the best thing I have ever done.

How do you define success? 

Success is waking up in the morning and being thankful for the day. Enjoying going to work and loving what I do, feeling satisfied and knowing that at the end of the day I might have made a difference in the world, by just the taste of my cookie, is a great feeling. If I can bring a smile to someone’s face, then I have done my job. The world is a tough place and I want to make it a bit easier, even with just one bite of a cookie. I love being my own boss; I have never worked as hard as I do now, but it is so worth it. I’m living my dream of owning my own business, and hopefully it will turn into a successful large company through perseverance and hard work. Through this experience, I have learned to treat the janitor of a company the exact same way as I would treat the CEO of a company. Everyone deserves respect and a chance to succeed.

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