A Sweet Success: How This Family-Owned Cookie Company Grew from a Home Kitchen to a Global Brand

In the middle of a global shutdown, this family found the perfect recipe for connection — and it wasn't just the cookies.

For many Americans, there's nothing quite like a sweet treat, the midday pick-me-up or the cozy indulgence before bed. There's science behind the comfort — a study from the University of Cincinnati found that sweet snacks can boost mood and lower levels of stress hormones. It's a small pleasure that can make a big difference.

That's exactly what inspired Seattle-based couple Brooke and Tomas Perez in 2020. In the early days of the pandemic, they began shipping homemade cookies to friends and family as a heartfelt way to stay connected when the world felt far apart. But what began as a simple gesture of kindness quickly grew into something much bigger: Bell's Cookie Co.

"We didn't start with a grand plan. We just started with cookies," Tomas said. "We wanted to share something that felt good and tasted good. But then people kept asking us, 'Where can I buy these?' That's when we knew we had to turn this into something more."

Named after their daughter Isabella, affectionately known as "Bell," the company has gone from a small kitchen operation to an international brand.

Expanding Beyond Seattle

Bell's Cookies' first brick-and-mortar shop opened in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood in 2021, welcoming customers with a space that blends nostalgic warmth with modern flair. The shop quickly became a neighborhood staple with lines often spilling out the door.

Bell's signature mix of timeless favorites, inventive new creations and vegan-friendly options helped them stand out in Seattle's crowded dessert scene and win the hearts of locals. For example, the gluten-free and vegan chocolate cookies, which feature a signature chocolate interior and a lightly dusted sugar crystal topping, are fan favorites.

But their story didn't stop there. Founders Brooke and Tomas knew that sustained growth would require thinking beyond the Pacific Northwest. In 2023, Bell's took a bold leap and opened a second location in Madrid, marking the beginning of their international expansion.

With growth often comes new challenges, and Brooke and Tomas quickly began navigating global logistics, fostering relationships with overseas distributors and scaling operations, and yet through it all, the Perezes have remained committed to the culture that started it all. What began as two people baking in their home kitchen has evolved into a dedicated team of 18, with staff in both Seattle and Madrid. Their focus on employee retention, collaboration and fostering a supportive workplace has been instrumental in their business's success.

"We can't do it all ourselves, and we knew we needed to build a team that shared our passion," Tomas added. "The people we work with are just as important as the product we make, and that's important when running and growing a business."

The Perezes have leaned heavily on Chase for Business as they've navigated the nuances of scaling. From opening their first business account to receiving expertise during their expansion, Chase has been there at every step of their entrepreneurship journey, including spotlighting them at The Experience Seattle.

This small business event series from Chase for Business is designed to support and educate small business owners through a full day of programming and networking with other entrepreneurs and industry experts. The Experience is a reflection of how Chase for Business continues to show up for the small business community in impactful ways. The event series is also making stops in Tampa, Boston, San Diego and Houston throughout 2025.

"It's been exciting to watch the growth of Bell's Cookies over the past five years," said Claire Branch, Business Relationship Manager for Chase. "I've worked closely with Brooke and Tomas since the start of their company in 2020 and have seen firsthand how Chase for Business's mobile experience and payments capabilities have helped to scale their business — not only nationally, but across the globe."

Looking Ahead

As they set their sights on expanding their retail footprint and entering grocery distribution nationwide, Brooke and Tomas are looking ahead with optimism and intention. Their vision for Bell's Cookies goes beyond scaling quickly, rather it's about cultivating a journey rooted in shared joy and exceptional taste, the principle that has guided them since their days of mailing cookies to friends during the pandemic.

"Expanding Bell's has always been about sharing a taste of our hometown with people all over the world," said Tomas. "There's magic in taking something rooted in your community and seeing it resonate globally. It's a reminder that connection and comfort can come from something as simple as a cookie."

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