Meet: Evelyn Cooke!

​Introduce yourself and profession to our readers: My name is Evelyn Cooke and I am a Marketing and branding professional as well as a current pastry school student. I am also the founder of a scholarship and mentorship program for minority high school seniors to help them reach their educational, personal and professional dreams.

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest?
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a burning desire to help other people.  I see so much wasted potential around me and know that the difference between one reaching towards it themselves is usually a matter of having the right support. 

For this reason I started my scholarship program.  In order to fund it, I did a lot of soul searching around my own dreams I had locked away and reconnected with my creative sides.  This motivated me to start an Etsy shop making holiday decorations and treats and ultimately going to school for pastry arts.

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit?
Just do it! It is never too late or early and things will never be perfect.  You only have one life so what’s the worst that can happen?

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it:
Though I have had many professional challenges, most of them stem from me simply not believing in myself.  This would cause me to shrink away from claiming my excellence and promoting myself and also stop me from standing up for myself when I know I was right. 

Honestly, I went to therapy.  I also made a lot of changes in who I hung out with and the messages I told myself.  I set out to have everything in my life feed me positivity and remind me of my greatness and it has worked.

What is next for your brand/business in 2018?
2018 will be another year of me pushing myself to live up to my own potential.  Will be expanding my decorations and foods business and also be able to grow my scholarship reach even more. 

​This year I got my first major partnership for my award where all funds raised will be matched.  Next year however, I really want to focus on high school students from around the country and host workshops for them to grow and learn some skills that will help them in college and beyond. 

How can readers connect with you online and through social media:
Readers can stay updated on my work at the following:
IG: www.instagram.com/_evcooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/evelyncooke

And for more on my business:
Www.facebook.com/GingerbreadTrim 
www.etsy.com/shop/gingerbreadtrimstore