We recently had the chance to connect with Theresa Rubio and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Theresa, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that has brought me great joy lately is watching my 2 sons play college football. One plays for Notre Dame and the other for Southwest Baptist University. Watching them do what they love is priceless!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Theresa Rubio and I am the owner of Grandma’s Cookies. We are a small cookie shop in the Historic District of St. Charles, Missouri. We have been in business since 1976! We specialize in homemade cookies baked with love❤️.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents have taught me my work ethic. My mom and dad were both very hard workers, always busy doing something. My dad was a sheet metal worker at the age of 15 until he finally retired in his late 80’s! At 92 years old he still keeps busy with projects. My mom was a cake maker and always had other jobs she was doing. The list of things she did are a mile long!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I remember one time when I first took over the business from my grandma. I worked all day every day for a whole year straight. I didn’t even have 1 day off. I missed all of my kids school functions and sporting events and even missed other family functions. I remember thinking to myself, if this is what it’s like running a business then I don’t want to do it. Eventually I found a balance of family and home. Now I’m so happy that I didn’t give up all of those years ago.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I tend to listen a lot when dealing with the cookie shop to my husband Angel, brother Brian and manager Larry. Their options matter and I feel like there insight and knowledge help to shape what Grandma’s Cookies is today. I am more focused on making the cookies and they are more focused on how things run. I would be lost without their direction and I appreciate them so much!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that one day my kids will carry on everything that Grandma’s Cookies is about. Mostly the traditions that we have kept and the ones that we are still creating. I hope people remember the experience they had when they came into the cookie shop and how we made them feel. We truly love our customers. Many of them have become like family. Some of our customers have memories and stories that go back to when grandma first started the cookie shop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grandmascookiesonmain.com
- Instagram: grandmascookiesonmain
- Facebook: Grandma’s Cookies
