Front Row Seat: Elizabeth Pippin Nelson, CEO of Milkin' Cookie

Photo: Elizabeth Pippin Nelson

Welcome to another edition of Front Row Seat, your guide to knowing everyone who's anyone in the Queen City. This edition is especially important for all expecting mothers in the Charlotte area, as we’ll be chatting with Elizabeth Pippin Nelson, the CEO of Milkin' Cookie.

If you haven’t heard of Milkin' Cookie before, don’t worry—you’ll be placing an order by the end of today! Our conversation with Elizabeth covers her discovery of Milkin' Cookie and the journey that led her to becoming CEO. We’ll also dive into how she manages a thriving business while wearing several other hats at home, and how you can get your hands on a delicious box of lactation cookies! Keep reading to learn all about Milkin' Cookie and its incredible CEO!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming the CEO of Milkin' Cookie?

My journey to becoming the CEO of Milkin' Cookie stems from my deep desire to help people, especially new moms. Throughout my career in sales and marketing, I always found the most fulfillment when I was able to make a real difference in others' lives. During my maternity leave with my daughter, I discovered Milkin' Cookie and experienced firsthand how much it helped me with breastfeeding. I believed in the product so much that I decided to buy the company. Shortly after returning to work, I was laid off from my corporate sales role, which became the push I needed to leave corporate America and fully commit to entrepreneurship.

What makes this journey even more special is that my CEO title honors my daughter, Clara Elizabeth—her initials are CEO! My goal has always been to expand the brand’s reach beyond lactating moms and to create products that support overall health and digestion. Today, I’m working with retailers and hospital systems across the country, and I’m proud to continue Milkin' Cookie’s mission of helping moms while offering wholesome, delicious products.

What challenges did you face when you took over Milkin' Cookie, and how did you overcome them?

When I took over Milkin' Cookie, I faced several big challenges. One of the toughest was rebranding and expanding the focus. The business was originally centered on lactating moms, but I saw the potential for our cookies to benefit a much broader audience. Shifting the message from solely supporting lactation to also highlighting benefits like improved digestion and overall wellness was a significant change. Another challenge was scaling the business while maintaining the quality of our cookies. Our cookies are gluten-free, preservative-free, and coconut oil-based, and I knew we couldn’t compromise on those standards. To meet growing demand without sacrificing quality, I focused on optimizing production, maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, and building partnerships with retailers and hospitals.

Finally, juggling entrepreneurship with motherhood presented its own hurdles. Learning to manage my time, relying on my support network, and delegating tasks were key to balancing everything. Staying committed to Milkin' Cookie’s mission—helping moms, and now a wider audience—kept me grounded and helped me push through these challenges.

What ingredients are key to the effectiveness of Milkin' Cookie, and how do they support lactation? How do you ensure the cookies are both effective and delicious for nursing moms?

Milkin' Cookie is designed not only to support lactation but also to promote overall health, particularly digestion. Each ingredient plays a special role:

• Brown Sugar: The combination of cane sugar and molasses is rich in essential minerals like calcium and iron. For nursing moms, iron is crucial as it helps combat fatigue and anemia, both common postpartum challenges. The molasses in brown sugar enhances iron absorption, providing an energy boost in a delicious way.

• Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds pack a punch! High in Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein, they support heart health, improve digestion, and are loaded with antioxidants. For breastfeeding moms, chia seeds help sustain energy, and their fiber content promotes better gut health, which is essential for both mom and baby.

• Ground Flaxseed: Rich in Omega-3s, which are vital for a baby’s brain development, flaxseeds also contain phytoestrogens that can naturally boost milk production. The high fiber content in flaxseeds helps with digestion, keeping moms regular during a time when digestive issues are common.

• Rolled Oats: Oats are one of the best-known foods for boosting milk supply due to their high content of saponins—compounds that can help increase milk production. They’re also loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing essential nutrients to moms while improving digestion.

• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a fatty acid that increases the healthy fats in breast milk, helping protect babies from infections and illnesses. It also supports a healthy metabolism for moms, offering a quick energy source.

• Almonds: Known for being high in protein and calcium, almonds help make breast milk creamier and sweeter, which many babies prefer. They’re also a great dairy-free source of calcium, especially for moms with dietary restrictions.

Each bag of Milkin' Cookie mix and every cookie is handmade or baked by me using these all-natural, organic ingredients. Together, these ingredients not only support lactation but also improve digestion, making them a nourishing, wholesome treat that’s both effective and delicious for nursing moms!

What kind of feedback have you received from moms who have used Milkin' Cookie? Are there any stories that stand out the most to you?

The feedback from moms using Milkin' Cookie has been incredibly moving, and many of their stories resonate with my own experience. I struggled to nurse my son for eight months, but with my daughter, I was determined to nurse for longer. A friend gave me some Milkin' Cookie, and it changed everything. I went from not producing enough milk to overproducing. That’s when I realized just how powerful these cookies were, and I believed in them so much that when it was time to order more, I ended up buying the whole company!

One story that really sticks with me is from a mom whose baby was in the NICU. She shared how much she looked forward to her daily Milkin' Cookie, knowing it was helping her bring in milk during such a difficult time. It brought her comfort and hope, which made a big difference in her NICU journey. Beyond boosting milk production, many moms have told me that the cookies have benefited their whole family. They've noticed improvements in digestion and gut health, and the cookies have become a regular part of their household.

It’s so heartwarming to know that Milkin' Cookie not only supports moms but also brings health benefits to the entire family. Hearing stories like these keeps me passionate about what I do. Milkin' Cookie is more than just a lactation product—it’s a way to nourish and support families during such an important time in their lives.

In addition to being the CEO of Milkin' Cookie, you're also a successful real estate agent! How do you balance running a successful business and a career in real estate with maintaining your personal well-being?

Balancing my role as the CEO of Milkin' Cookie and working as a real estate agent definitely requires some juggling, but I’ve found that setting clear boundaries and prioritizing what matters most is key. Staying organized and managing my time well helps me give my full attention to both businesses while still carving out time for myself and my family. I’m fortunate to have great teams in both areas of my work. I trust my team to handle day-to-day tasks, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture without feeling overwhelmed.

In real estate, I work with an incredible group of colleagues who share the same commitment, and at Milkin' Cookie, I have a passionate team that believes in our mission as much as I do. When it comes to my well-being, I prioritize self-care and spending quality time with my family. Whether it’s going for a walk together, enjoying a meal, heading to HOTWORX for a workout, or simply taking a few quiet moments to recharge, I find small ways to take care of myself each day.

I’ve also learned that it’s okay to ask for help and take breaks when needed—maintaining my mental health is just as important as running my businesses. At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. Some days I focus more on one business than the other, but I always ensure that family and personal well-being come first.

What’s next for Milkin' Cookie? Are there any new products or initiatives on the horizon? Where can our readers learn more about Milkin' Cookie and purchase your products?

We have some exciting developments at Milkin' Cookie! We’re working on getting our cookies added to postpartum trays in local hospitals, just like other hospital systems across the country. Our goal is for every new mom to have access to our delicious, nutritious cookies to support milk production during those crucial early days. We’re currently in talks with both Atrium and Novant, and it would be wonderful if expecting moms could let their local hospitals and OB/GYNs know they’d love to see Milkin' Cookie on the menu!

We’re also expanding our presence to additional local brick-and-mortar locations. You can now find our mixes all over town, in various boutiques, medical offices, and restaurants. To stay updated on all things Milkin' Cookie, visit our website at www.milkincookie.com and follow us on Instagram @TheMilkinCookie. You can purchase our freshly baked cookies or cookie mixes directly from our site, and for Front Row Charlotte readers, use the code FRONTROW for 25% off your first order!