From the corporate world to the cookie world. The “Sweet Shrink” was started in 2019 by Alex Carpenter out of her grandmother's kitchen. She had just left her corporate dream job that turned into a nightmare and was mentally at an all-time low. Her love of baking helped her through the dark days. Now, she gets to share her passion with the world.
She first started selling cookies by walking around her neighborhood and knocking on doors. Next, came weekend markets and her business kept growing. So, she decided to rent kitchen spaces. She rented from the Rooster’s Diner. Alex outgrew that and then, started baking from the kitchen of a church. Her cookie world was booming. As they always say though, with the booms… came the busts.
The winter storm from three years ago set her back. The roof caved in and destroyed about $500 worth of products. The obstacles continued with several deaths in the family including her aunt who passed away from cancer and her grandmother. However, the Odessa woman kept pushing forward.
We asked her how she came up with the name Sweet Shrink. She says Shrink is a nickname for a therapist and compared that to “cookie therapy”
“Everyone loves cookies. I go through about 100 pounds of dough a week.”
Currently, she’s located in the Copper Rose Building but has goals of expanding. Her vision is to have a cookie and coffee shop.
As she expands her business, she also wants to start a nonprofit that provides counseling services. Alex says they are not called the Sweet Shrink by accident. They are advocates of mental health.
“Yes, warm cookies feel like hugs and can make us feel better, but only for a moment. I'm not a licensed therapist, but I love helping people.”
She works to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Alex is from Odessa and she's very proud of that! She and her husband have been married for 16 years and have 4 kids.
Location: 415 Grant
Phone number: 432-210-7158