We’ve been following each other for a few years now with Shanty and her Shanty Biscuits adventure, customizable, tasty and damn funny biscuits! We met again recently because Shanty organized her “fake” bachelorette party at Anticafé Canal St Martin. It was the perfect opportunity to ask her a few questions!
Hello Shanty, who are you, where are you from?
My name is Shanty (yes yes, that’s my real name), I grew up in Aix-en-Provence and I’m 30 years old (and still having trouble accepting it).
How did you come up with the idea of creating Shanty Biscuits?
After graduating from high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t go to school and I only had a job to pay the bills. At a birthday party, I was given a set of kitchen accessories that included a cookie stamp with the words “Chef Approved” on it. I made the cookies and I thought it was nice to have a message on them but it would have been better if I could have chosen it, I would have put something that would suit me better!
That’s how I got the idea, then I made cookies in my apartment by myself for 2 years until the day I got too many orders and thought there was a “real” company to create!
How did you use Instagram to get your business off the ground?
Since our cookies are only sold online, Instagram was the place where I could display what we could do with the cookies, show people’s orders and so on. From 2017 and on, it became more extensive with the arrival of stories and because I had finally found my editorial line.
I started having a lot of fun on Instagram and I think people noticed! Today, it’s really where the brand lives, where we show what we do and who we are. We have a very strong involvement from the community, especially because I don’t take myself seriously, everything is very spontaneous (I don’t even know what I’m posting tomorrow) and people don’t feel like I’m selling them something. And we have a great sense of humor! ????
In retrospect, what would you do differently?
It’s funny because before I would have listed a series of mistakes, but in retrospect, I tell myself that I don’t regret having made them at the beginning, that way I don’t make them now. If I had had more self-confidence, I could have gone a lot faster! And also, maybe I should have taken more time for myself at times. But I don’t regret where I am today. Oh yes, I may regret eating so many cookies haha! ????
What are your next dreams with Shanty Biscuits?
Conquer the United States! Yeah, no less!
If you had 3 tips for someone who wants to embark on a crazy project, what would you say to them?
- Don’t be afraid to screw up. You’re going to make mistakes and that’s normal. You have to make them to learn, the idea is to not make them again.
- Follow your instincts rather than people’s advice.
- Dare.
Find Shanty here and on Instagram of course!
And if you also want to organize an event in our Anticafé Canal St Martin and enjoy our Escape Game rooms, don’t hesitate to contact us ????
