Jake Lazar is the Founder of Grandma’s Goodies and a student from Denver, Colorado, with a passion for entrepreneurship. Growing up surrounded by small business ventures, he was always drawn to creative ideas. This passion led him to establish Grandma’s Goodies, a business dedicated to sharing his family’s cherished recipes and values with a wider audience.
Could you elaborate on the nature of your business, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
At Grandma’s Goodies, we specialize in baking mandel bread – a sweet treat that combines the best elements of a chocolate chip cookie and biscotti. For every dozen red pouches we sell, we donate one pound of our fresh desserts to food banks to share with their visitors. Our mission is to bring joy to our customers while giving back to the community. We offer our desserts and merchandise nationwide through our website, grandmasgoodies.net.
What inspired you to start your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Were there any specific events, challenges, or people that motivated you to take this path?
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I was constantly inspired by their drive and creativity. My first business venture was at just eight years old, offering dog-walking services. Since then, I’ve dabbled in everything from fidget spinners to spicy salsa, fueled by a passion for innovation. With the encouragement of my family and friends, I’ve taken the leap to start Grandma’s Goodies, a business that combines my love for baking and helping others.
Looking back at the beginning of your career, what were the major challenges you faced when establishing yourself as a leader/coach? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Since I’m still a student, one of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing is navigating the unknowns of entrepreneurship while balancing school. From learning the basics of design to creating a website and refining my great-grandma’s dessert recipe, there are a lot of moving pieces. It’s definitely not easy, but I approach each obstacle with optimism and a focus on learning. I try to see challenges as opportunities for growth, and with the support of my family and friends, I’m steadily moving forward and have successfully launched my business.
Would you like to share any remarkable achievement?
Not at this point!
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. What are your thoughts about women in leadership today?
Women have been the backbone of my business from the start. My great-grandma Jeanne’s recipe is at the heart of Grandma’s Goodies, and my mom, a professional baker, kept that tradition alive. I’m incredibly fortunate to be inspired and supported by strong women in my life. I believe female entrepreneurship is crucial to the growth of our communities. Women should never shy away from stepping into leadership roles and testing their ideas. Ultimately, it’s not about gender – it’s about the will to create something meaningful.
What message/advice would you have for future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Dream big and take action. If you have an idea you believe in, chase it down. The worst-case scenario is hearing “no,” but in the process, you’ll gain invaluable skills that will help you hear “yes” down the line. People may doubt you, but don’t let that hold you back. Keep pushing forward and trust that your vision has the power to succeed.
Website & Social Media Links
- Website: grandmasgoodies.net
- TikTok: @grandmas___goodies
- Instagram: @grandmas___goodies
- Facebook: Grandma’s Goodies
- YouTube: @grandmas___goodies
