In the wake of Black history month, Knight Press is celebrating and highlighting Frisco’s Black-owned businesses for their dedication and compassion towards their customers. Opening in 2018, the Cookie Society has settled their business down in Frisco, Texas, and blossomed into a vibrant, homemade cookie shop that drew customers in from the very beginning. 

After discovering her love for baking, Cookie Society owner Marissa Allen knew she wanted to pursue a career where she could turn her focus towards making cookies that wouldn’t normally be seen in your average cookie shop. 

“The process of starting my business really began as a hobby. I would bake for everyone in our family and close friends,” said Allen. “ In 2017, my husband and I visited a famous bakery in New York City that primarily sold cookies. After being amazed by their cookies, I was on a quest to make my version of the perfect cookie.”

Before she had the chance to kick start her business, Allen’s husband, retired eight-year NFL player Jeff Allen, and his former teammates ended up being her first-ever customers.

“After months of recipe testing, I had it, and my husband began sharing (the cookies) with his teammates. They loved them,” she said. “That’s when we decided to start a business.”

With the help of her husband, Allen was able to officially establish Cookie Society in 2018. Since then, the shop has offered even more sophisticated flavors such as red velvet, cookies and cream, banana pudding, and their famous cereal cookie. 

Allen’s passion for baking began as a young child. 

“My passion for baking began at a young age. I would always find my way in the kitchen with my mother and grandmothers. When I wasn’t in the kitchen, I was pretending to be with my easy bake oven. It’s truly been a part of my entire life,” she said.

Allen shares the most valuable thing she has learned from owning a business.

 “The most important thing that I’ve learned from owning a business is that it takes great leadership and people skills. The ability to work well with others is key, along with knowing your numbers.” 

As Cookie Society grew in popularity, the shop began making headlines about the fun flavors and styles of the cookies she would make. One of Cookie Society’s biggest achievements includes their listing on  “Oprah’s Favorite Things List” and has continued to gain recognition ever since. The business was also featured on  Dallas Morning News, NBC DFW, and Bake Magazine.

Allen gives her advice towards new business owners, and how they should keep a positive outlook when learning how to navigate against setbacks that come with opening a business. 

“Don’t ever give up. It’s a constant grind being a business owner, but well worth it when you begin to get your footing. Take everything that you deem as a loss and turn it into a lesson, “ she said. “There are always opportunities to learn and become a better person and business owner from it.”

Cookie Society can be found at 9320 Dallas Parkway #160 and is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m, and  Sunday’s from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit cookiesociety.com to learn more about their monthly flavors, catering opportunities, and their newest merchandise available to customers online and in-store.