Matthew Minnix

Co-owner of Thick Cookie Co., 23

Matthew Minnix is the co-owner of Thick Cookie Co., a bakery that got its start with online and pop-up sales and recently opened a storefront in Fort Walton Beach. The process of opening the shop that specializes in thick, chewy cookies involved “our blood, sweat, and tears, but I wouldn’t change a thing,” Minnix says. He is grateful to Morgan Page, his business and life partner, whom he describes as “good in all the ways I’m not.”

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs with a similar trajectory to yours? 

Don’t ever doubt an idea you believe in. No matter how many strangers, friends, or even family caution you with risk and doubt, don’t bite on it. Only you can make it happen, so only you need to believe in it.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?

I’d love to have another location. I want to maintain ownership to keep the same local character. We want to bring back quality in a world where quantity seems to be the highest priority.

How do you hope to make an impact within your community?

We see such potential in Fort Walton Beach, and the charm of downtown. The people of Fort Walton Beach are as sweet as they get, and the setting is rare and has potential to be something special. I hope to bring a new wave of branding and marketing to help neighboring businesses thrive.

What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of?
I am most proud of getting through the adversity faced when building out our storefront. We paid on an empty building for almost 6 months while doing online orders and markets just to stay afloat. The support we received on opening day was overwhelming and it took our blood, sweat and tears, just to get to that point but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Who is the single greatest person who influenced/supported your journey to success?   

The single most important person in this journey would be my business and life partner, Morgan Page. She is a complete work horse when it comes to baking and she has the sweetest soul delivering things much kinder to customers, fellow business owners, and strangers. She’s good in the ways I’m not and I do this all for her happiness.