Selling Out the First Batch: How Cooper’s Kitchen Grew from a Local Idea to TikTok Shop
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I am excited to share a huge milestone for Cooper’s Kitchen. Our very first batch of plant-based strawberry gummies officially sold out, both on TikTok Shop and right here in the neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia. For a small-batch snack brand that started in a shared kitchen, this moment means more than just jars moving off shelves. It represents the beginning of a journey in building a CPG brand, blending local roots with the power of modern e-commerce platforms.
This blog post is about more than celebrating a sellout. It is about documenting how the brand was built, what I’ve learned about launching on TikTok Shop and connecting with customers locally, and where Cooper’s Kitchen is headed next.
Starting Small in Atlanta
Cooper’s Kitchen was born in Hapeville, Georgia, a small but creative neighborhood in Atlanta. The idea was simple: create gummies that taste amazing but are also made with real fruit and clean ingredients.
Most gummy snacks on store shelves are packed with corn syrup, artificial flavors, and bright chemical colors. I wanted to prove that gummies could be fun, nostalgic, and good for you at the same time. That meant sourcing real strawberries, using Georgia honey for natural sweetness, and keeping the recipe simple.
The first line of products included:
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Strawberry Blossom Fruit Gummies – made with real strawberries, lemon juice, and honey
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Energy Gummies – enhanced with natural caffeine from guarana
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Protein Gummies – designed to add function to a fun snack
Each gummy is only 5 calories, and ten gummies equal just 50 calories while delivering 94% of your daily Vitamin C and a small boost of fiber.
Starting small in Atlanta gave the brand an advantage. Neighbors, friends, and local shops were willing to try something new and give feedback. That support from the community was the first step toward proving the concept.
Why TikTok Shop Was the First E-Commerce Platform
When it came time to launch online, I chose TikTok Shop as the first channel. TikTok has become more than just a social media app; it is a powerful e-commerce engine where products can go viral overnight. For a startup brand with limited marketing budget, TikTok offers direct access to customers and an opportunity to tell your story through video.
Selling on TikTok Shop is also unique because it combines content and commerce. A TikTok video is not just an ad; it is a piece of storytelling that can introduce the product, show behind-the-scenes of gummy making, and invite people to be part of the journey.
Our very first batch sold out faster than expected. That was validation not only of the product itself but also of the strategy to use TikTok as the launchpad. It proved that people are hungry for new snack brands that feel authentic and local, even when buying online.
The Power of Community in Atlanta
While TikTok drove online sales, neighbors in Atlanta made the milestone even more special. Friends, family, and local shops like Jake’s Ice Cream & Coffee Shop in Hapeville were among the first to carry jars of gummies. Selling out locally felt like more than just business; it was a reminder that community support is what fuels small brands.
Atlanta has an incredible food and creative scene, and being part of that ecosystem matters. Customers here are open to trying new things, and they appreciate the story behind the product. Hearing feedback in person — “these taste amazing,” or “finally, a gummy without junk in it” — gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward.
Building a CPG Brand Step by Step
Selling out the first batch was exciting, but it is just the beginning. Building a CPG (consumer packaged goods) brand takes time, patience, and systems.
Here are some of the steps that went into launching Cooper’s Kitchen:
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Recipe development: Dozens of test batches, experimenting with agar agar, honey, pectin, and natural flavors until the gummies had the perfect chew and clean taste.
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Brand identity: Naming the company after my dog Cooper, creating a playful yet authentic logo, and designing labels that stand out while still feeling approachable.
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Licensing and compliance: Registering the kitchen, securing insurance, and making sure every jar could be sold legally in Georgia and online.
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Production: Renting a shared kitchen in Hapeville, buying ingredients in small batches, and learning how to scale recipes without losing quality.
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E-commerce setup: Opening TikTok Shop, testing Shopify listings, and creating content that connects with customers.
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Community outreach: Dropping off jars at local shops, bringing samples to neighbors, and gathering real-world feedback to refine the product.
Each step came with challenges. There were days when a batch didn’t set properly, or labels printed off-center, or shipping logistics caused delays. But those challenges are part of the process. Each small problem solved is one step closer to scaling.
Lessons Learned from TikTok E-Commerce
Launching on TikTok Shop taught me several lessons about modern e-commerce:
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Content drives sales. A short video showing real strawberries being cooked down into gummies performs better than polished ads. Customers want transparency and authenticity.
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Bundles work. Many customers bought two jars at once because it made shipping and discounts more appealing. Offering bundle deals helps spread fixed costs and increase order value.
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Speed matters. Responding quickly to comments and DMs builds trust. TikTok is a fast-moving platform, and customers expect engagement.
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Local + online is powerful. Selling both to Atlanta neighbors and TikTok customers created momentum. It felt less like a one-off sale and more like the start of a growing community.
Why Selling Out Matters
For a small food brand, selling out the first batch is more than just a sales milestone. It shows that the product has market fit. People are willing to pay for it, recommend it, and ask when the next batch will be ready.
It also creates urgency and excitement. Customers who missed the first drop are already asking about restocks. That demand helps fuel the next production run and encourages me to keep experimenting with flavors and formats.
Most importantly, it proves that a small Atlanta-based snack brand can compete in the modern e-commerce landscape. With the right product, story, and platform, even a small batch from a shared kitchen can sell out quickly.
What’s Next for Cooper’s Kitchen
The vision is to grow step by step:
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Restocks on TikTok Shop for our Strawberry Blossom Fruit Gummies
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Expansion into more Atlanta stores so neighbors can buy in person
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New flavors and functional gummies, including energy and protein blends
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Building out Shopify as a second e-commerce hub alongside TikTok
Long-term, I see Cooper’s Kitchen becoming more than just a gummy brand. It is about proving that clean, plant-based snacks can be both fun and functional. It is about building something from Atlanta that can scale nationwide.
Final Thoughts
Selling out the first batch of gummies is a milestone I will never forget. It represents months of testing, late nights, and a willingness to try something new. More importantly, it represents the power of combining local support with modern platforms like TikTok Shop to build a brand that can grow from the ground up.
To everyone in Atlanta, Georgia who picked up a jar, and to every customer who supported us on TikTok, thank you. This is just the beginning for Cooper’s Kitchen.
Stay tuned for the next batch, new flavors, and more updates as we continue this journey.
You can follow along on TikTok, Instagram, and shop directly when jars are back in stock.