Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Guerra.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Makies was born out of passion, vision, and a strong desire to build something unique. From the beginning, we knew with my husband we wanted to create a business but we also knew the importance of validating the idea. We started baking stuffed cookies at home and sharing them with friends, family, and people we trusted to get real feedback and refine our recipes. Then came the local markets, where we connected directly with customers and learned what truly excited them: bold flavors, texture, and originality.
Our first official step was opening a booth at The Painted Tree Store, where we got to test our concept in a shared retail space. Shortly after, we had the opportunity to open our first physical location inside Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen a place full of energy, great food, and unique drinks… but missing dessert.
We realized that what was missing was that sweet touch to complete the experience. The creative and vibrant vibe at Elsewhere inspired us to build a local concept that would become part of the fun. And that’s how Makies was officially born a cookie bar with a distinct personality, offering New York–style stuffed cookies, cold brew, and soft serve, all with a street-inspired, fresh aesthetic that stands out from traditional bakeries.
Today, Makies is so much more than a dessert spot. It’s a growing brand with a creative soul, entrepreneurial spirit, and a clear purpose: to make flavor an experience that connects, surprises, and leaves a mark.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road… but that’s exactly what makes it meaningful.
Building Makies has been an incredible journey, but like any entrepreneurial path, it’s come with its fair share of challenges. From the beginning, we’ve had to do it all production, branding, sales, logistics while learning how to scale a product that’s handmade, delicate, and deeply tied to the overall experience.
One of the biggest challenges was finding a location that truly aligned with our vision. We didn’t want to just sell cookies; we wanted to offer something creative and experiential. Getting into Elsewhere was a huge milestone, but it also came with the pressure of performing in a fast-paced, high-energy space.
We’ve also gone through the usual growing pains: learning to manage inventory, building a team that represents our values, and adjusting our operations as demand grew faster than expected. There have been moments of exhaustion, uncertainty, and a lot of trial and error… but each obstacle has helped us grow.
What keeps us grounded is our vision and the support of our community. Seeing the love people have for our cookies, the excitement on their faces it reminds us exactly why we started, and why we keep going all in with Makies.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Makies is a creative cookie bar based in San Antonio, Texas. We specialize in New York style stuffed cookies, handcrafted with bold flavors, rich textures, and a clear focus on the overall dessert experience.
At Makies, you’re not just coming for a treat you’re coming for a feeling. Our cookies are large, soft on the inside, generously filled, and often paired with cold brew and soft serve to complete the moment. Every flavor is made with intention, character, and a story behind it.
One of the things we’re most excited about is the constant room for creativity. We introduce one or two new flavors every month, which helps us keep the connection alive with our customers, surprise them, and give them a reason to keep coming back. We love playing with ingredients, seasonal inspiration, and even emotions through each recipe.
What sets us apart is that we don’t look or feel like a traditional bakery. Our street inspired aesthetic, influenced by New York, along with our focus on product + design + experience, makes Makies feel fresh and full of identity.
We’re especially proud of having built a brand that connects with people from the very first bite. A brand that doesn’t just sell cookies, but sparks emotion, nostalgia, and memorable moments.
We want our customers to feel like they’re tasting something special, local, and real and always excited for what’s coming next.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes, absolutely. I’m always learning and deeply inspired by real-life stories from people who have built the kind of brand I envision for Makies and the kind of path I’m building for myself as an entrepreneur. I’m especially drawn to the behind-the-scenes of successful businesses—their decisions, failures, lessons, and how they managed to stand out with purpose. I’m not just interested in theory. I care about the human journey behind growth.
I listen to podcasts that share real entrepreneurial experiences, and I frequently read about business, leadership, and brand building especially around how a sale connects emotionally with people and how to create genuine bonds with customers through product and experience. I especially enjoy biographies of founders I admire, because they offer insight into how they think, how they lead, and how they build with vision.
One of the books that has had the biggest impact on how I approach business is Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. It helped me realize that clarity is one of the most powerful tools in branding and communication. Learning to position our customer as the hero and Makies as the guide has completely transformed the way we talk about what we do. That mindset has shaped how we connect with our audience, craft our messaging and build a brand that truly resonates.
I also use tools like Notion to organize ideas, processes, and strategy. It helps me stay focused and mentally clear as I grow Makies and my personal brand, making sure everything we do is intentional and aligned.
For me, learning from others through books, podcasts, and honest stories is a key part of how I show up and contribute to the long-term vision of Makies.
Pricing:
- Single cookie $5,50
- The dream team (a warm cookie + a creamy swirl) $10
- 6 pack of cookies $28
- Single serve cup $5.00
- Medium Cold brew $4.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makiesbakery.com
- Instagram: @wearemakies
- Facebook: @makies
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/makies-san-antonio
