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For Brooklyn-based small business owner Carmen Ladipo, her passion for baking took root early on. "I've had a sweet tooth since the time I can recall," Carmen tells . "In middle school, I was in classes like Home Economics, where we learnt how to bake cookies. Once I figured out I could sustain my cravings for sweet treats on my own and then it was over."

But it wasn't until several years after that Carmen was able to earn money from that enthusiasm by starting a small batch cookies ecommerce business in the background. "I'd just moved from the city of my birth to New York City, and tried to recall how to meet new people as mature," Carmen says. "I was able to join the local gym for climbing and brought cookies to climbing members and staff--indeed an effective friend-making strategy." After being "fervently encouraged" several times to sell her cakes, Carmen took advantage of the time between jobs to officially register her own business for food in Brooklyn.

"It honestly started out as an excuse for me to earn money to bake cakes for my local customers occasionally," Carmen jokes. "But in the past five years Carmen's Cookies has grown into an online store which has me shipping cookies across the nation to friends and strangers alike."

We spoke with Carmen about the ways she prioritizes the ecological and social impact of her business, how she manages her one-woman business with other tasks and obligations, as well as the equipment that helps Carmen's Cookies to run efficiently.

Prioritizing local community and Social impact

People who visit the Carmen's Cookies website and social media will be greeted immediately with the warm welcome of Carmen's brand. The tagline reads: "Providing happiness for your connection." Carmen's selections include experimental seasonal flavors like the ras el-hanout and matcha lemon. They also have beloved classics like brown butter chocolate chip and orange clove. Just a brief glance at the reviews of her cookies to see the joy her cookies bring to customers all over.

Since the very beginning that Carmen's Cookies is more than selling cookies. "I feel like food business owners have a responsibility to the environment and the communities they serve to be mindful of the impact they have on their communities," Carmen says.

"There are many sources that go into the production and sale of food products which require recognition and scrutiny so that they do the least damage to the environment. This is why I am always aware of what my ingredients come from and how their manufacturers are regarding their own ecological and social impacts." Carmen is transparent on her site about the sources she uses to source the ingredients she uses. She even includes an interactive method to find out where the baking chocolate she uses comes from.

And her commitment doesn't stop there. "It's essential for me to discover ways to support the ongoing efforts of food justice across the Brooklyn community," Carmen says.

"Every every year I select one that is directly working with its community members to empower economic development and food sustainability. I contribute a percentage of the profits each year to these groups since I wish for Carmen's Cookies to have a positive impact in the place it calls home." Customers are able to visit the website's About Page to find out where Carmen has been donating some of its revenues.

"As for the Carmen's Cookies community," Carmen adds, "it's an inspiring experience to watch people come together to the support of various causes throughout the years. The ability to facilitate donations of hundreds of dollars for different national and local charities that support food justice and the marginalized communities through cookie sales was a great high point."