I originated Eileen{s Colossal Cookies in Hastings, Nebraska in my home in April of 1982. I had taken a cake decorating class with the intent to make cakes for my children{s birthdays. I have two sons - Gabe and Tony (who is now working in the business as the Franchise Director). After seeing a shop in Omaha with decorated cookies, I decided to try baking and selling decorated cookies instead of cakes. I ran newspaper ads about the decorated cookies and also established a route that I took plain 6" cookies to on a daily basis (places like 7 Eleven, etc). Since I was working out of my home, I knew I needed an innovative way to promote my business. So I offered free delivery and I also offered delivery dressed in the Cookie Monster costume. To my surprise this was equally as popular with the adults as it was with the children! After baking, decorating and selling big cookies in a kitchen in my basement for a year and a half, I opened my first store in downtown Hastings on October 1, 1983. Because of excellent quality and a very reasonable price for a product much in demand, Eileen{s Colossal Cookies has been a very successful business. In April of 1987 I opened a shop in Grand Island and in May of 1991 in Kearney. It wasn{t long and I was receiving calls from people who wanted to buy a Franchise. So, I now have Franchises of Eileen{s Colossal Cookies in: Cheyenne, WY April 11, 1994 Lincoln, NE - SOUTH April 6, 1995 Greeley, CO April 15, 1996 Omaha, NE 144th & Center October 23, 1996 Ft. Collins, CO August 18, 1998 Edmond, OK February 2, 2004 Lincoln, NE - NORTH September 7, 2004 Omaha, NE 72nd & Pacific November 14, 2005 Rapid City, S.D. July 17, 2006 Henderson, NV May 17, 2007 Even though there are some differences in our shops, one thing is always the same - our Quality!! We have a website at www.eileenscookies.com. A little about me: I lived on a farm near Hastings, NE when I was born and later moved to Hastings. I graduated from Hastings Senior High in 1966 and from Lincoln School of Commerce in 1967. I used to be a Secretary and I also sold real estate for several years. Eileen Harman