- What inspired your idea, and how did you identify the main customer need you’re addressing?
The idea came from seeing how many coffee cups get thrown away every day. Even when people try to recycle, most cups still end up in the trash. I wanted to create something fun, eco-friendly, and completely waste-free — that’s how CookieCup was born.
- What challenges do you think you might face when introducing your product, and how will you handle them?
People might not trust that an edible cup can actually hold hot coffee. To handle that, I plan to give out samples and show videos or live demos so customers can see how strong and tasty it really is.
- What makes your product different from other eco-friendly options out there?
CookieCup isn’t just compostable — it’s edible! You can drink your coffee and then enjoy a little cookie afterward. It’s a zero-waste solution that’s practical and delicious.
- How will you handle potential allergies or dietary restrictions?
We’ll make sure to have different versions — like nut-free or gluten-free — and clearly list all ingredients so everyone knows what’s in their cup.
- How will you balance affordability while still making a profit?
At first, we’ll keep production small and local to manage costs. As more people and cafés start using CookieCup, bulk production will help lower expenses and increase profit margins.
- Do you plan to collaborate with local businesses or influencers for brand awareness?
Definitely! I’d love to work with local cafés and eco-conscious influencers who already support sustainable living. It’s a great way to spread the word authentically.
- Will you sell directly to consumers or focus on partnerships?
We’ll start by partnering with coffee shops so people can try the product easily, and then expand to online sales once we have steady demand.
- How will you convince small cafés and grocery stores to carry your product?
We’ll give out free samples, run promotions, and offer starter discounts so they can test customer reactions without taking a big risk.
- How will you measure the success of your marketing?
By tracking how many cafés join us, how often they reorder, and what people say online. Customer feedback and social media engagement will tell us a lot.
- How will you handle seasonal demand, like winter vs summer?
We’ll switch up the Flavors — maybe warm cinnamon cups in winter and light vanilla or chocolate ones for summer iced coffees.
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
In the short term, I want to build awareness and partner with local coffee shops. Long-term, I’d love to see CookieCup available across Canada and maybe even in big coffee chains.
- If your first marketing plan doesn’t work, what’s your backup?
If online marketing doesn’t click, I’ll focus more on community events, pop-ups, and collaborations where people can actually see and taste the product.
- What trends might affect your business in the future?
More people are becoming eco-conscious, and many cities are banning single-use plastics — that’s great news for us. Trends like sustainability and zero waste are only growing stronger.