At our August 17th meeting, Melissa “Mei Mei” Abdouch updated Rotary on the history of Mei Mei’s Cookies and Creamery as well as describing the challenges of guiding the business during the pandemic. It’s a fun fact that she looked around the area and chose River Falls as the place to open her business in 2017.
Origin story: After the Air Force, Melissa worked in international finance until her job was outsourced. While deciding her next steps, a friend suggested turning her talent for baking into a business. A single Facebook post led to orders for 1200 holiday cookies. Business school and a business plan led to establishing her current business here in town. Owning a small business runs in family; Melissa is a 3rd generation business owner. Her grandparents owned a ballroom in Cottage Grove, and her father owned trucking and fencing companies.
COVID-19 forced some pivots at Mei Mei’s. COVID forced her to cut store hours, but sales dropped only about 6 percent. Adaptations included adding some new offerings, delivering meals, etc. Giving back has also continued, including donation of a large batch of cookies to U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital. Mei Mei enjoys hiring mainly newbies to help them gain work experience. Staff can act as mentors and trainers for those with special needs, another part of the mission of Mei Mei’s.
COVID-19 forced some pivots at Mei Mei’s. COVID forced her to cut store hours, but sales dropped only about 6 percent. Adaptations included adding some new offerings, delivering meals, etc. Giving back has also continued, including donation of a large batch of cookies to U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital. Mei Mei enjoys hiring mainly newbies to help them gain work experience. Staff can act as mentors and trainers for those with special needs, another part of the mission of Mei Mei’s.