One Smart Cookie
Entrepreneur and horse lover Mia Gonzales. Photo credit Sandra Boos Photography.
16-year-old horse lover Mia Gonzales bakes her way into the horse community’s heart with Caballo Cookies.
When 16-year-old Mia Gonzales of San Ramon, California realized she was hopelessly hooked on horses, she didn’t sit back and wait to see if someone might finance her passion. With the encouragement of her parents and love of baking inspired by her grandfather, a retired baker, she started Caballo Cookies.
What sets Mia and her company apart – made-to-order treats, handcrafted in her micro-bakery, and a refreshing attitude. “What I have learned by owning and operating Caballo Cookies is that people will want to help you if you are helping yourself. The generous support I have received from people wanting to see me and my business succeed has been humbling,” she explains.
Check out our Q & A with this amazing young entrepreneur below:
Caballo Cookies are fresh, crumble-proof, crunchy, and made-to-order. Photo: Sandra Boos Photography.
Q. We were told you originally started Caballo Cookies to support your horsey habit! How were you inspired to take on this particular project?
A. During Christmas break two years ago, I wanted to make horse cookies for the pony I was leasing at that time. I baked the cookies and took them to the barn for my lease pony Fable and also shared them with my friends to give to their horses. One friend said she would buy my horse cookies and that led to other riders at my barn wanting to order cookies from me, too.
With encouragement and help from my parents, I decided to start my own business selling horse cookies, Caballo Cookies. My love of baking came from my grandfather who is a retired baker and taught me how to bake muffins and cookies when I was in pre-school. I am very passionate about being an equestrian and the sales of Caballo Cookies helps pay for the costs that come with this sport.
Q. What can you tell us about the ingredients?
A. They are simple, wholesome ingredients. I feel that when you give horses a treat, you don’t need anything fancy or complicated. They like apples and they like peppermint! What makes my horse cookies special is that they are made-to-order, always fresh and hand-crafted in my own micro-bakery. They are crumble-proof and horses love that Caballo Cookies crunch!
Q. We are starting to see your cookies everywhere! How has the news about your cookies expanded – what has worked well, and what feedback have you gotten from horse people?
A. I put in a lot of effort for my cookies to be known by the horse world and have received tons of support from the equestrian community. They have supported me by buying Caballo Cookies, promoting my product and connecting me with other equestrians and equestrian organizations who believe in me and my horse treats. What’s worked to promote my business is selling at local horse shows, being featured in equestrian publications, being active on social media, sponsoring horse shows and equestrian events across the country and donating bags of Caballo Cookies as prizes or giveaways. In addition, my membership to equestrian organizations including Clayton Canyon Pony Club, California Dressage Society – East Bay and others have offered overwhelming support for my business. The feedback I have received from customers has been both inspiring and encouraging. I have had customers tell me their horse is very picky when it comes to treats but they love Caballo Cookies! This makes me feel good. Caballo Cookies are the perfect treat for picky horses!
Mia and Dandy
Q. How did this project pay off as far as supporting what you love to do? Can you tell us about the horses in your life?
A. My business helps me pay for horse show fees, trailering fees, memberships to necessary equestrian organizations and more. I really like earning my own money to help pay for the expenses that come with being an equestrian. The first horse that I connected with, and my first lease horse, was Indiana Tamalpais (a.k.a Tam). Tam is a Morgan horse and one of the most reliable horses I know. I started jumping and doing dressage with him. He was the first horse that really introduced me to the eventing world as well. I still visit him and his owners from time to time because I’m good friends with the family that owns Tam. After Tam, I leased a Chincoteague pony named Fable. I leased and showed him for a year. He was the perfect amount of sweet with a little bit of sass. My confidence blossomed with him and he taught me how to be assertive while also maintaining composure. I learned valuable lessons on Fable, but eventually it was time to move on to the next horse that would shape me as a rider.
The horse I’m currently leasing is a Palomino Quarter horse-Welsh cross named Dandy. He really looks like a toy Barbie horse with his golden coat, and cream colored mane and tail. He’s like the horse you see in toy magazines that have little girls circling him and adding him to their Christmas wish list. Dandy and I have an amazing horse and rider connection. It’s like a partnership we both enjoy. I think what goes on in his mind is “She makes the cookies, I eat them, I go round for her, I love her.” He really is the horse I brag about, and he makes everything I do with him enjoyable and daring. We both love taking risks, whether it’s popping the jump up a few holes, or just trying out a new saddle pad color. Although, he does look best in pink, and he wears it with much pride.
While riding Dandy, I have achieved many goals, such as jumping the desirable height I’ve wanted to, going to rated shows, and continuing to learn dressage, which is really fun. I believe he has made me a better person, and a better rider. We both balance each other out and that is what makes this sport so beautiful. It’s not just you sitting up high on a horse, it’s you and that horse creating a bond that you’ll always look back on.
Q. We are certainly impressed that you decided to work hard for what you wanted! What would you like to say about that topic, and to others looking for a way to afford horses?
A. It’s important to surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to support you. Also, you have to know you can’t do it all by yourself. It is hard sometimes to balance my business with school, riding lessons, shows and social activities, but it’s worth it! I really like the feeling of earning my own money and contributing to the monthly payment of Dandy’s lease. What I have learned by owning and operating Caballo Cookies is that people will want to help you if you are helping yourself. The generous support I have received from people wanting to see me and my business succeed has been humbling. Starting a business has helped me cover some of my horse related expenses, but there are other ways to afford a horse. You could always ask your trainer about exchanging lessons for work around the barn. If you’re passionate about it, anything is possible.
Mia and Dandy – photo by Rachel Masen Photography.
Q. Anything we missed? How can people order?
A. I’m really thankful that although I’m only 16 years old, people take me and my business seriously. I feel very lucky to combine my passion for horses and love of baking into a growing business. Besides making horse cookies, my favorite part about owning Caballo Cookies is meeting new customers and connecting with them about horses.
People can order Caballo Cookies by going to my website at CaballoCookies.Etsy.com. Also, follow @CaballoCookies on Facebook or Instagram.
