Meet Jason Schneider | CEO and Head Cookie Boss

16 years in a career that I was never supposed to be in – as a print sales rep and senior level management at Conde Nast Publishing – I learned the art of selling and importance of branding and positioning quality products. And when I just couldn’t take another day of grinding stone for someone else in a job where I had zero passion, I leaped.

I deeply had a personal passion for endurance racing. I embraced my love for coaching and a community that inspired people to find strengths they never new existed – starting TriTrain Endurance Coaching – my own professional coaching company and trained hundreds of athletes to complete everything from sprint distance triathlons to Ironman and Ultramarathons. My every day consisted of standing on a pool deck, riding along with athletes, running miles upon miles and swimming in the ocean (and calming their constant fear of sharks). Every day of work was like recess. I traveled the world and ran/cycled through cities, mountains, jungles, deserts and frozen landscapes. I lived a career life that filled me to the brim. Along the way, I started teaching indoor cycling classes at Equinox Fitness clubs without ever thinking it might lead to anything more.

In a blink of an eye – 11 years had passed and I was once again a corporate pawn, doing a job for someone else. Because of my prior professional experience and desire to always do a job 150% – I was quickly offered opportunities to grow into management and took my eye off what was most important. I was chasing the success dragon and neglected the thing that was already providing me with immense joy – my happiness, fulfillment and ability to have control over my life, my future, my income.

SO, long story short, when another opportunity to lean into a business that makes me feel happy, fulfilled, passionate – I leaped again. M2O Cookies was born. M2O – made to order. Why? Because I’m (and always have been) a cookie monster. I don’t just love to eat cookies. I love to bake them. I love the creativity that goes into each recipe. And I love the smiles and joy that comes with giving cookies to other people. Cookies = Smiles. And in a day and age where the world of food is as simple as ordering on your phone and it appears at your doorstep – why is it so hard to find good, fresh, warm cookies when you want them? More importantly, the kind of cookie you want!? Everyone sells chocolate chip – but what if you’re in the mood for Oatmeal with Tart Cherries, White Chocolate and Macadamia Nuts? Where can you find that? Nowhere…until now! M2O Cookies was created for you to have ‘Your Cookies, Your Way!’ The convenience of web/app ordering, 5 different base flavors (including Vegan and Gluten Free options), over 40 different add-ins, toppings and frostings/fillings – the extent of flavor combinations is as great as your imagination will allow! All made within 20mins and delivered fresh to your door or for pick-up. Our first location is on-track to open before the end of the year and an aggressive expansion plan over the next 5 years.

The lesson I’ve learned? If you aren’t truly passionate about your work, you will someday wake up and say “how did I get here? I was never meant to be doing this.” Mid-life crisis or live a day of grinding unhappiness. Find your passion and lean into it, deeply.

You can’t come to Los Angeles and not spend time driving & exploring up and down the coast. As we would be coming over the canyons, which is breathtaking in itself, taking in the beautiful vistas as you come over Malibu Canyon and see that beautiful blue ocean. From there, we’d head South on PCH into Malibu. First stop would be at the Malibu Pier for early brunch at Malibu Farms <https://www.malibu-farm.com/malibu-pier/>. A table outside, over the water, amazing food and perhaps a cocktail to start the day. It’s quintessential SoCal beach! We’d then hop on our bikes and continue South on PCH – through Santa Monica, casually take the bike path through Venice (as it’s such a spectacle), around the Marina and continue South through the Southern Beaches (Dockweiler, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa), taking in all the beautiful people and sunshine. We make our way through Redondo and Torrance Beach – then the real fun starts! We climb up to Malaga Cove in Palos Verdes and along Palos Verdes West to take in the amazing vistas. It’s the beautiful views and private beaches that you only see in the movies. We continue past Western, take in the wild peacocks and steep hilly streets and all the way down to Fermin Point. For most Angelenos, this is the World’s End. Grab an Uber w/ bike rack for an easy ride back up to Malibu.
Jump in the car and head North on PCH, taking in some of the most iconic California Coastline, stopping at county line for some fresh fish at Neptune’s Net, watch the throngs of motorcyclists and car enthusiasts showing off against the backdrop of an epic sunset.

The 2nd day would be heading inland for some epic SoCal hiking. Start the day with an outdoor Yoga Class at the base of Runyon Canyon in Hollywood. Then take in the sites of the most beautiful people, young stars and starlets walking their dogs and hoping to be caught by paparazzi while shirtless or bearing midriffs and looking sexy. The views from the top show the true opulence of the Hollywood Hills, with homes that look more like vacation resorts. We hike back to the car and hit ultimate tourist mode with a trip to Universal City Walk and Universal Studios. This is the closest I would want to get to any of the trendy Hollywood scenes of SoCal; it triggers great memories of growing up in the San Fernando Valley and is as kitschy as it comes. The stunt shows, antiquated Jaws animatronics and abbreviated version (compared to Florida theme park) of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. It’s just enough silliness to prepare an out-of-towner for uber-touristy City Walk, Los Angeles’ equivalent to Times Square. A native would only go there if with out-of-towners. It’s a one time adventure you have to get out of your system.

The perfect contrast to the hyper-trendy and kitschy Hollywood and Universal is a late afternoon trip out to Pasadena. Growing up in a family of artists, museums were a staple. And while there are amazing museums around SoCal, The Norton Simon Museum is often overlooked. I remember going to the sculpture gardens with my mom as she sketched and we ran around like it was our own personal park. I was fascinated by the sculptures and, to this day, I would take statues and sculptures over paintings. To finish this perfect day of contrasts, we head over to The Raymond <https://www.theraymond.com/> for some amazing food and some of the best, classically hand-mixed cocktails. As a Whiskey aficionado, they never disappoint with their creative mixology.

Day 3 will be a bit more sedate, with some hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains. Los Liones trail is an easy 1 mile climb through indigenous flora and fauna of Southern California. As you hit the first overlook, you realize this is the iconic Southern California residents’ favorite selfie spot. But if you keep hiking about 1 more mile, you get to the Parker Mesa Overlook. Sometimes I just like to sit on the benches and imagine what it must have been like for the early explorers to take all this beautiful coastline in. On a clear day, you can see Catalina, Channel Islands and everything in-between. It’s breathtaking.

Thanks to many of the Westside cities taking initiatives to make it safer for cyclists around the city, we grab a couple Electro Bikes from Metro Bike Share and hit the bike lanes on a classic COOKIE tour. This cookie entrepreneur knows where some of the best cookie gems lie in around the city!
www.cookiegood.com
www.theplacetobesm.com
www.cakemonkey.com
www.milkjarcookies.com
www.diddyriese.com
www.bradysbakery.com

That’s a lot of cookies. So a late-afternoon stroll along W. 3rd to take in all the hyper-hip shops and a walk through The Grove and Original Farmers Market. I remember going to the Farmers Market as a small child with my grandmother. We’d always go to Kips Toy Store. To me, it was like FAO Schwarz. It’s the mere fact that the toy store has survived in the age of Amazon and big box stores and sells a mix of new and retro toys.

This epic LA day will end with a trip to the San Fernando Valley for one of the best wet burritos and bottomless baskets of chips (and of course a margarita the size of your head) at Casa Vega <https://casavega.com/>. No, it’s not the fanciest, chic Mexican restaurant. But it’s iconic.  Dark and a bit seedy, with it’s velvet black-light wall-hangings and heavy old-school banquets, this restaurant has been a San Fernando Valley destination for 65 years.  I can still picture my entire family crammed into one of these booths and eating ourselves sick on delicious, authentic and inexpensive Mexican food.

Our final day exploring LA will be spent at the Getty. This is a much more sedate day and should be relished without any rush or time limit. The photography exhibits, the gardens, the architecture. It’s really quite breathtaking. And knowing my friends will always appreciate a bit more history and art, we head over to the original Getty Villas in Pacific Palisades to take in the Greek and Roman collections. We’ll finish this more sedate and cultured day back in Westlake Village with a trip to The Stonehaus <https://the-stonehaus.com/> – the coolest winery smack in the center of town – with it’s outdoor dining amidst the vineyards, brick-fired pizzas and, well, wine! We’ll consume just enough to make the 1/2 mile walk to The Moody Rooster <https://moodyroosterwlv.com/> – one of the most delicious meals you can find North of Los Angeles. I rarely make it beyond the grilled octopus appetizer. It’s so good, I often order it again for my meal! (not kidding).

Not the typical tour of LA…but it’s definitely a tour of my most favorite LA.

I have to shout out to a handful of very pivotal people that have made ALL THE DIFFERENCE along this scary, yet exciting, journey.

Patricia Friberg is my guardian angel. She has opened doors and relationships that truly acted as a spring-board for my business to grow. Maybe even faster than I was ready for, at times.  Just as we became neighbors, she and the family relocated to Lucerne, Switzerland.  Check out her journey @SwissMrsShow

My amazing advisory board – Karen Curtis (CTO), Gary RATSO Langstaff (Marketing Genius), Debbie Butera Levine (Graphic Designer), Dom Laurin (Finance), Robert Russo (CPA). This team is FAR smarter and more creative than I. Thankfully, they all believe and support M2O.

Amber, Delf, Sheila, Angel: These 4 are the wind beneath my wings, shoulders to cry on and stiff kick in the butt – just when it’s needed most!   And many friends that have supported my little start-up business and helped to build a swell of cookie fans across LA (and many states across the U.S.!)

My family – because they eat everything I make, give me very honest feedback and continuously push me forward.

My husband – my rock and biggest cheerleader. I am just grateful that he hasn’t kicked me out of the house yet…because all my stress, all my baking, all my messes and all my mistakes are also his to bear. His support is why I can keep going, daily.