Robyn Jones of Russellville has been baking for as long as she can remember.
Using a family recipe, Robyn has gone into business making brownies and cookies fresh to order.
She started Aunt Melvie Brownies & More on June 12.
When Jones was six years old, her Great Aunt Melvie shared her classic coconut-pecan brownie recipe with Robyn and her mother. They have since revised the original recipe, and Robyn continues to adapt it to make several varieties of brownies that she plans to introduce in the future.
An alumna of Arkansas Tech University, Robyn worked with the university’s Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Her consultant, Ronda Hawkins, provided helpful direction and guidance, giving her the confidence to go out and do what was necessary to get her little business off the ground.
“I had no idea what steps I needed to take to get my business started. It is wonderful to have a resource like this available at ATU! Without their help, I would have not known where to begin and would likely have gotten frustrated and given up,” said Robyn.
Jones is in her 10th year as an insurance agent. While continuing to work her regular job four days a week, she plans to spend her time off focusing on her new side hustle.
Operating under the Arkansas Cottage Food Law allows Aunt Melvie Brownies & More to sell from the site where the food is made (Robyn’s home), farmers’ markets, county fairs, and special events.
Local pickup is available in Russellville, and custom orders are accepted. The plain fudge brownie variety, which has no nuts, is proving to be a crowd pleaser. Robyn describes it as dense and fudgy, unlike any box brownie mix.
Learn more at facebook.com/auntmelviebrownies.
