Sugar and Chip AZ, founded by Shannon Melde, is a home bakery specializing in handcrafted chocolate chip cookies that have captured the hearts of customers across Arizona. Shannon, a passionate baker with over 25 years of experience, turned her love for baking into a thriving business after years of honing her skills. What began as a hobby blossomed into a home bakery, fueled by an enduring passion for creating the perfect chocolate chip cookie.
Shannon’s journey into baking started at a young age. With a strong desire to turn her passion into a professional career, she pursued culinary studies at Scottsdale Community College (SCC). Although she did not complete her formal education in the culinary arts, Shannon’s love for baking never wavered. Her dedication to perfecting her craft and creating delicious desserts led her to open Sugar and Chip AZ, where she bakes with the finest ingredients to ensure every customer receives a taste of her best work.
The heart of Shannon’s business is not only her remarkable cookies but also her unwavering commitment to her community and family. As a mother of two, Shannon’s life took a devastating turn when her 14-year-old daughter, Maddie, tragically passed away in 2022. Despite the immense grief, Shannon found strength in continuing her business, knowing that her work and dreams could honor her daughter’s memory. Shannon’s resilience also led to the early development of the Maddie Melde Foundation, a cause focused on raising awareness about mental health and supporting the community in Maddie’s honor. Though still in the development phase, Shannon is dedicated to ensuring the foundation will help others in the future.
The loss of Maddie might have led many to step back, but Shannon decided to honor her daughter by pursuing both her personal and professional dreams. Sugar and Chip AZ, which was only one year old at the time of Maddie’s passing, became an outlet for Shannon to cope with her grief while continuing to build her cookie business. As a testament to her dedication and the quality of her baking, Sugar and Chip AZ was awarded “Best Baked Goods” in the AZ Foothills Best of the Valley 2022 competition, a notable achievement that further established her reputation in the local community.
Shannon’s dream of creating a cookie empire is guided by her values of integrity, quality, and customer care. “Baking with the best ingredients possible and making my customers feel special is at the core of everything I do,” Shannon explains. Her commitment to excellence is evident in every batch she bakes, and it has earned her a loyal customer base that appreciates not only her cookies but the authenticity behind her brand.
Though her goal of expanding into a storefront remains a future aspiration, Shannon’s vision for Sugar and Chip AZ is rooted in the belief that hard work, resilience, and passion can turn any dream into reality. She strives to inspire others with her story of overcoming adversity, showing that even in the face of unimaginable loss, it is possible to keep moving forward and find purpose in one’s dreams.
Through her work with Sugar and Chip AZ, Shannon continues to share her love for baking with others while remaining an active member of the community. In addition to her business, she is a Volunteer Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish Arizona and an engaged member of the Junior League of Phoenix. These roles reflect Shannon’s commitment to giving back and helping others in the same way her baking has brought joy to many.
The success of Sugar and Chip AZ, despite the many personal and professional challenges Shannon has faced, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, community, and following one’s passion. Shannon’s goal of turning her small home bakery into a cookie empire is not just about business success; it’s about resilience, honoring her daughter’s memory, and showing others that dreams can still come true, no matter the obstacles.
For more information about Sugar and Chip AZ and to explore their offerings, visit Sugar and Chip AZ’s website. You can also follow Shannon’s journey on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, the Maddie Melde Foundation website can be accessed through this link.
Stay connected to the Sugar and Chip AZ community through their reviews at Sugar and Chip AZ Reviews.
