Twelve-year-old entrepreneur in Texas rolling
in the cookie dough
By Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.10.23
Word Count 463
Level 630L
Twelve-year-old Dallas Wise began his business, Dallas Sized Cookies, two years ago when he was 10. Dallas said that all the money he
makes goes toward his college fund. Photo: Rebecca Slezak/Tribune News Service Rebecca Slezak/Tribune News Service
Dallas Wise had a business idea at 10 years old. His mother signed him up for a six-month
business program. He took classes online. That's when he decided to start his own cookie business.
He named it Dallas Sized Cookies.
That was two years ago. Now, Dallas Sized Cookies is a real company. It is a South Dallas, Texas–
based cookie business. The company sells four flavors. They are chocolate chip, crimson and white,
ying yang and sugar. Dallas Wise says that balancing work and school isn't easy.
The holidays are Dallas' busiest season. His mother, Shanay Wise, helped him prepare. They spent
hours in a huge kitchen. There, they measured flour and cracked eggs. They made dough for 12
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dozen cookies. After Shanay Wise approved, the pair scooped the dough out of the mixing bowl.
They put it into a box. They planned to bake the dough at home as orders came in.
Role Model Siblings
Dallas started baking cookies when he was 4. He
began selling them at age 7. He said his brother and
sister are his role models. They created a lemonade
stand. There, the siblings sold candy, cookies and
lemonade.
Image 1. Twelve-year-old Dallas Wise
scoops chocolate chip cookie dough into
a container as his mother, Shanay Wise,
holds the mixing bowl. Photo: Rebecca
Slezak/Tribune News Service
He started selling cookies at food markets with his mother. She is the founder of Catering Done
Wisely. Shanay Wise always encouraged her three kids to cook. Dallas asked if he could sell his
cookies with her. They sold chocolate chip cookies for $1 each at a market. "People bought them
all," his mom says.
Crimson And White Is His Favorite
Dallas said he likes to bake. He enjoys creating something for other people. He loves when he gets
compliments. He also loves making his own cookie creations. One of these is the crimson and
white cookie, which is his favorite. It's a chocolate cookie with red food coloring and white
chocolate chips.
All the money Dallas makes goes toward his college
savings. But he isn't sure what he wants to major in.
He also isn't sure if he wants to do this when he's
older. He seems happy living in the moment.
Shanay Wise is proud of her son. She is happy to
support him every step of the way. She helps him out
in the kitchen. She makes sure there are no shells in
his eggs and double-checks his measurements. "He's a
good cook, but he's just a good son," she said. "He's
kind and helps people and is all around just a good
person."
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.