Meet Amanda Madison | Pastry Chef, Cookie Business Owner, Published Author and Minister

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Madison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was working in a warehouse in 2020 and I worked Friday Saturday and Sunday 14hr days. My parents would watch my daughter Anastasia for me since I am a single mom. I hated my job but wasn’t sure how quickly my life was about to change when my mom passed away in April 2020. I lost my best friend and my #1 babysitter. Especially right when Covid was at its highest killing rate it was impossible to find a sitter and I was about to lose my job on top of losing my mom. I decided to take a 4K loan out on my vehicle at the time and buy a Dessert trailer from China. I took a leap of faith and boy was it a crazy unknowing journey. Long story short it was the Best decision of my Life. This is how it all started.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have learned so much in the last year and a half of starting a business from scratch. I have made partnerships with companies in China when it comes to trailers and Branding materials. I have made so many local relationships with other small businesses such as bakeries and coffee shops. There are certainly days that you doubt yourself because orders are slow that week or you have a goal and you aren’t even halfway there but you have to remind yourself that it will always work out for you. I started my manifestation journey over a year ago and let me tell you it has completely helped me change my mindset for the better. I always stay positive even when it’s hard. When my daughter was born in 2017 I was homeless. My ex kicked me out when I was 9 months pregnant. My daughters first week of life was with me in the back of a tire shop. I remind myself when times seem hard that it could always be worse like back in 2017. I self published my first book “ My Daughter Gave me a purpose” right after my mom had passed. It is an autobiography of how I went from being homeless to being happy. I need to write a sequel to talk about my Baking journey now. I am also working on a Cookie Recipe Book. Hopefully I can get that finished this year also. Only so much I can do on my own. I am my CPA, web designer, publicist, I AM POCONO COOKIES!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the Poconos of Pa, one of the highest Touristic areas in the North East.

People come for the Waterparks like Kalahari, Camelback or Great wolf Lodge.

We also have Pocono 500 so if you love watching race cars we can go there. We also have some beautiful hiking trails, Casinos and Main Street in Stroudsburg Pa has food, movie theater and plenty of places to grab a drink or two.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well when I first started my business I did absolutely everything completely on my own and still am, but I find that strangers have been some of my biggest supporters. My #1 supporter and motivator is my Daughter Anastasia. She reminds me every day that mommy is the best baker. My Cookie business would have never become a Dream Come true without her.

Website: www.poconocookies.com

Instagram: @pocono_cookies

Facebook: Pocono Cookies

Image Credits
Sarah Vasile- Lusona Photography