Career Tips

DEBBI FIELD'S RECIPE FOR
SUCCESS"

From Peter Lowe's Success Yearbook - By Debbi Fields

I have a recipe for success that I have followed all my life. You would expect that of someone who started an international cookie business from scratch, wouldn't you? You might expect that my recipe would be a complicated formula of staff scheduling, training, business acumen and secret ingredients. The real secret to the success of Mrs. Fields Cookies is a mixture of three key ingredients:

The first ingredient in my recipe is PASSION


When I began my business, it wasn't easy to convince investors that cookies - no matter how good they were - could be a viable business. I baked my cookies with real butter and chocolate chips and personally brought them to the boardrooms of investors to convince them of the value of my product. I still have a passion for my product and the desire to make it the very best it can be. My family had their doubts that I could succeed but they did the right thing for me. They challenged me. They tested my passion and desire by saying, "Debbi, don't do it. You'll fail. It'll never work." I knew in my heart the greatest failure was to never try. I had my recipes... I had my dreams... I had to try. My family challenged me to make $50 on my first day of business. What a celebration we all had when my first day's receipts totaled $75.

I loved my very first store in Palo Alto, California, and I especially loved my customers. I loved their smiles. I loved the fact that they called me when they couldn't make it in to get their daily cookie! It was at that point that I realized I was not in the cookie business but the "Feel Good Business." The joy of giving my customer a fresh, warm chocolate chip cookie that they loved was the hallmark of my success. One thousand stores and eleven countries later, my passion continues to grow.

The Second Ingredient is PERFECTION


My motto is: " 'Good Enough' Never Is." I refuse to compromise quality for profits. Perfection dictates that you never deliver a lesser quality product than the customer deserves. Commitment to perfection is a conviction I live by and have instilled in my five children.

The third ingredient is PERSEVERANCE


Have the courage to do the unconventional! Don't be afraid to try something new! Believe in yourself and your product! When everyone told me, "No! No! No!" I knew I wouldn't stop until everyone was shouting in unison, "Yes! Yes! Yes!."

This is the basic recipe that has guided my success in both business and in life. Start with one part Passion, add an equal amount of Perfection and gently fold in a heaping portion of Perseverance. Sample frequently to make sure the product is terrific. Now you have my recipe for success!

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