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My journey took a huge leap forward during the pandemic. I’m from Melbourne, and if anyone recalls, we had the harshest cycle of lockdowns anywhere in Australia (6 in total). By profession, I’m also a registered nurse in a critical care area and found myself working 12-hour shifts due to the heavy demands on our hospitals. Combined with having 3 x children who were being homeschooled during that time, the kitchen became even more of a sanctuary for me. It really was a space that I could just decompress and reset … I think all Melburnians were coping whichever way they could.

I eventually reached a crossroad where I seriously began thinking about taking that leap into starting my own business… so I dived right in. There was no reason that I couldn’t manage both my nursing career and a baking biz (that’s what I kept telling myself anyway!)

That was the beginning of The Vale Cookie Collective (TVCC). The ‘Vale’, because Ascot Vale is my home suburb.

 2. What has starting and running your own business meant to you personally? 

I’d always dreamed of having my own business, and TVCC has turned out to be exactly what I imagined it would be. It brings me such a sense of fulfilment. In nursing, I’ve seen countless times how life can change in an instant, and I’ve never wanted to live a life of ‘what if’s’ … I’ll take the ‘what’s next’ any day!

3. You purchased a new edible ink printer not so long ago; what motivated this decision? 

I was ordering my images through an interstate company for some time, and it was impacting the orders that I could take on (because of the turnaround time and shipping) and eating into my profit margin. I started researching printers and decided on the Canon ix6860. It has been beyond perfect!

4. How was the setup process, and do you have any tips or hacks to make it smoother?

Set-up was an absolute breeze. I’m the first to admit that I’m a little tech-challenged, but the step-by-step instructions were really easy to follow. I ended up pairing my edible printer with a Cricut Explore cutting machine. I use the free Cricut Design Space to create my printables on my iPad (I usually sit back on the couch with a cup of tea and do this of a night) Then I print and cut everything I need in one go, all prepped and ready for my upcoming week of orders. I love LOVE the level of organisation this allows me to maintain.

5. How has the addition of an edible ink printer positively impacted your business? 

 Without a doubt, it has increased my profit margin because I no longer need to outsource for images. I can also take on orders at shorter notice where I have availability, and if a customer requests to alter/add on an image, I can now accommodate those requests more readily. Customer satisfaction is paramount after all! Definitely feel like I’ve become more creative with the cookies I make now compared to my pre-printer days.

6. Which creations are you most excited to print with your new edible ink printer?

Apart from branded logo cookies and photo images, I get super excited about incorporating printed patterns to a set of cookies. I have found that I can really tie a theme together and elevate the look of a completed set, more than I ever could before. 

7. Can you share some of your pro tips for printing and applying edible images effectively?

Be proactive in maintaining your printer and showing it a lil bit of TLC! I turn mine on every day while I make my morning coffee, and run off a nozzle check weekly.

I never ever use water when applying images. I did once and learnt the hard way! I know others have used water to apply icing sheets successfully, but I vowed never again after my experience. Even though I used the tiniest amount to moisten the back of the image, it created enough moisture to cause sticking to inside of the cello bag, ruining half of the cookies. I was mortified.

Now I use the method that Lana @nortynomnoms shared…. placing the images on fresh fondant and with a sheet of Cover Up, rolling over the top of it. They turn out perfectly (and I never have to stress about sticky images!) The icing sheet adheres beautifully.

 8. We're curious, what cookie creation inspires you the most and why is it your favourite to work on?

I am obsessed with Bikkie Smalls cookie platters! They are so versatile, and I love that I can use the cutters on their own for a blank canvas to get creative with endless possibilities and I find myself jotting down platter design ideas when they pop into my head.

 9. Self-care is crucial! How do you ensure you take care of yourself while running your business?

The beach is my ultimate happy place and definitely a huge part of my self-care. Whether it’s going for a walk along the sand in winter or a swim in the ocean over summer- this is where you’ll find me! I live in inner city Melbourne, and it’s the best feeling ever hitting the freeway for the coast.

 10. What career achievement are you most proud of, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?

Something that I’m so incredibly grateful for, and is an enormous sense of achievement for me, was being asked to be one of the brand ambassadors for Savvy Cakes Sydney. It was a ‘pinch me’ moment when Lena contacted me (actually still can’t believe it) 

As soon as Cover Up was first released at Miss Biscuit, I bought a bunch of double packs. I mean, a BUNCH! I used it for all of my cookie prep and decorating, and I think Lena saw my commitment to using this environmentally friendly product she’d created and reached out.

It holds a special place for me because it was the only product that worked for an original fondant foil balloon technique that I created and first shared in June 2023. No other material achieved the effect I was aiming for.

I even had the honour of making a foil balloon cake for the display area at the inaugural Festival of Cake held in Melbourne last year! That was also a massive moment for me.

11. Are there any other EIS products you love using in your work?

I really love the Fines icing sheets… so fantastic to be able to choose the thickness depending on what it is I’m making. I used the Fines recently in a Polaroid set of cookies, for a group of doctors leaving a Melbourne hospital for interstate and overseas training- they were a huge hit amongst their colleagues!