We had the good fortune of connecting with Daria Artem, JD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My business was an offshoot of another business that did not take off like I hoped it would ! I started a PR company called ArtemPR. I was enamoured with the idea of marketing my services in unusual ways so when i saw an oversized fortune cookie at a local Chinese restaurant, I thought it would be a great way to promote myself! I could not afford the price the restaurant offered me (basically, no discounts!) so I figured out how to make my own giant fortune cookies and made them EVEN more gigantic in my home kitchen. I dipped the cookies in chocolate and decorated them like Mrs. Prindables Apples- drizzles, swizzles, toffee, etc. The message within was almost a 1-foot long message that said:

“You’re One Smart Cookie When You Work with Daria!
Lucky Numbers: 818-458-####”

My prospective clients LOVED the cookies and I started to get multiple call backs- but not for my PR services, but rather to make cookies for events like Birthdays, Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs…. I was sitting until 2am making cookies out of my kitchen when my then fiance and I realized we had a great idea for a new business!

We took our wedding money which was supposed to be for our wedding in 2004- and invested in our first cookie factory in Northridge, CA.

Over 20 years later, I can say we are a sweet success! with clients that range from Disney to Williams Sonoma and 800Flowers.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It’s easy to get eaten up in the cookie business! And starting the company was a scary thing to do because it entailed stepping away from what I had expected to do to earn a living, which was a more traditional job in PR and Marketing. In fact, in January 2004, I was offered a generous position with a major real estate developer in Los Angeles… and decided to take a risk and follow my sweet dream of owning a cookie factory!

When you work for yourself- you have to deal with the toughest boss possible- YOURSELF. There is no place to hide or take a break. Deadlines are personal, so is every mistake made.

OUR first 3 months in business, almost every cookie shipped arrived broken. I had to learn, and learn quick.

In July 2004, I attended my first NASFT Fancy Food Show after embellishing my application a little bit! I talked myself up so much, they accepted me despite my company being so new. I remember being in NYC and feeling so small. I was there by myself. I wondered if I had made a mistake after all….And then…. suddenly….. I saw a UPS truck and the driver was unloading packages. And there in his truck was one of MY packages from Lady Fortunes! In that moment, I realized that I could do GREAT things and had to believe in myself .

I doubled down on work- first person IN and last person OUT my first decade.

Like a cookie recipe, a successful business is what you put into it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite places to go is the Grove Los Angeles. There is upscale shopping, fine dining and a luxe movie theatre! So much to do! And a great place to take the kids and pups to!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My little bro, Miki Kiss! A BIG shout out to him for all the creativity and enthusiasm he has poured into our business over the years !

Website: https://www.ladyfortunes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyfortunesinc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lady-fortunes-inc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LadyFortunesInc/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lady-fortunes-canoga-park

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ladyfortunesinc

Other: Our blog: https://ladyfortunesinc.blogspot.com/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.