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VocationVacations® - Hilton HHonors® Rewards

One Girl Cookies
Brooklyn, NY
Rewards code: VVBKGC
Hilton Hhonors® Points: 520,000

Are you ready to turn up the heat in the kitchen and put your culinarycreativity to the test? Do you think you have the business sense andmarketing skills to turn the “dough” in your mixing bowl into “dough”in your wallet? Are you looking for a recipe for a career change? Then pack your apron and head to Brooklyn, New York, for aVocationVacations® dream job holiday with Dawn Casale and DavidCrofton, owners of One Girl Cookies .

Anative New Yorker, Dawn Casale grew up with a love of food. Herearliest memories are of the wonderful aromas and flavors found in thekitchens of her large Italian family. “As a child, I learned about theritual and significance of food, the sense of happiness and comfort itbrought, and the essential elements of quality and care that went intoits preparation,” remembers Dawn. These childhood memories would bethe foundation upon which she would ultimately build a successfulbusiness.

After receiving a degree in marketing, Dawn went towork in retail management, first for Neiman Marcus and then for Barneysin New York. “I loved what I did, but realized it was not a career pathI wanted to follow. I knew the next step up would distance me from thecustomer, the product and the staff,” she explains. That wasn’t whatDawn wanted. It was time for a change. She decided to pursue herpassion for cooking and good food and see where it might lead her.Entrepreneurship ran in her family, and it was her turn to continue thetradition.

“I knew I needed to find a niche,” says Dawn. “NewYork didn’t need just another caterer.” Dawn decided what the cityreally needed was some place they could buy beautiful, handmade,delicious cookies. With this goal in mind, Dawn mixed two importantingredients – her marketing expertise and love of cooking – andlaunched One Girl Cookies, taking orders and filling them out of hertiny West Village apartment.

As the business grew, she movedher operations into a professional kitchen space and hired aprofessional baker. A great guy named David Crofton, who ultimatelybecame both her partner in business and in life. The company nameremained One Girl Cookies, but now there was a “guy” behind the ovens.“Dawn and I have baked a lot of cookies together, and I am proud ofevery box we’ve made,” says David. Each cookie is beautifully designedand packaged and handmade using the finest ingredients. “Our goal isthat each bite of a One Girl Cookie will evoke a special childhoodmemory and bring a smile to your face.”

Dawn’s own childhoodmemories and admiration for her family have been at the root of OneGirl Cookies from the beginning. “When I was deciding how to market andpackage my cookies, I knew I wanted to honor my family in this newendeavor,” shares Dawn. To that end, each package of One Girl Cookiesfeatures photos of Dawn’s family. She has also recognized her familyby naming many of her 15 varieties of cookies after them. For instance,the Lucia, a shortbread caramel chocolate layer bar, is named after hergreat grandmother. Sadie, Penelope, Olga and Giovanna are just a few ofthe other names for these unique cookies that not only taste good, butare reminiscent of family and tradition.

This salute to familyis also integrated into the decor of the One Girl Cookies Shop Dawn andDavid opened in Brooklyn in 2005. The shop is an aestheticallypleasing mix of heritage and modern design, featuring family photosprominently displayed on the walls. Its warm ambience and commitment tocustomer service has made it a gathering place. “We have become a partof the neighborhood. The kids know us and come in several times a weekfor cookies and to share their latest art project or ballet movements,”laughs Dawn. Of course, the parents come, too, since cookies appeal toall ages. “We now have a wonderful extended family.”

Althoughcookies remain at the heart of the business, customers can alsopurchase other baked goods including cupcakes, brownies, pies andcakes. An espresso bar is located in the back of the shop wherecustomers can savor a selection of coffee drinks and a variety of otherbeverages. On Thursday and Friday nights, customers enjoy a dessertbar featuring a wide array of delicacies. One Girl Cookies also sellswholesale to hotels and caterers, as well as online and through phoneorders.

“We love what we do, but it is hard work,” says Dawn. “It is difficult to leave the business at the end of the day. We takeour work home with us, so it is a challenge to balance the businesswith quality time together.” David oversees the baking and manages thekitchen, and Dawn handles the business side. “We take only one day offa week. It has been hard to let go of the reins, but we are working atit.”

With all the delicious cookies coming out of the oven atOne Girl Cookies, which cookies would best describe Dawn and David? “Iguess I am a ‘Penelope,’ a butter cookie covered in chopped nuts andfilled with apricot preserves,” concludes Dawn. Why? “Because it iscolorful, sometimes temperamental and sweet.” And David? “Oh, he wouldbe a ‘Mary,’ our chocolate chip cookie that everybody loves and alwaysbehaves,” laughs Dawn. Sounds like Dawn and David have a sweetcombination going and a successful business.

Whileon your baker VocationVacations® dream job holiday with Dawn Casale andDavid Crofton at One Girl Cookies, activities will include some or allof the following:
  • Gain basic baking business knowledge (i.e.: wholesale vs. retail, pricing, ingredient sourcing, etc.)
  • Prioritize and organize a day from a business prioritization and production standpoint
  • Learn marketing techniques
  • Experience managing a small cafe & cookie shop
  • Review packaging methods and options
  • Gain experience in managing a small cafe & cookie shop
  • Witness the division of labor between a husband and wife partnership
  • Mix a variety of cookie doughs and batters
  • Participate in the preparation of bars, cupcakes, cakes and a variety of other baked goods
  • Learn techniques for cookie shaping, rolling and finishing
The baker Vocation Vacations® dream job holiday with Dawn Casale and David Crofton includes:
  • Two days of one-on-one mentorship in your dream job as a baker
  • The ability to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®), an online personality assessment designed to identify interests and skill sets
  • The opportunity to participate in a total of one hour of pre- and post-VocationVacation career coaching from an accredited, affiliated VocationVacations career coach
  • A pocket-size VocationVacations journal so you can document your dream job becoming a reality
  • Light lunches with your mentor
Available: All year based on mentor's availability with exception of holiday weekends

Suggested Accommodations:

Millenium Hilton
Seaport Hampton Inn
(Not included in the price of your VocationVacations adventure)

Other activities and tourist destinations while on your VocationVacations® dream job holiday:

  • NYC & Company - New York City's Official Tourism Website for Tourists, Journalists, Travel Professionals, and Meeting Planners
  • I Love New York - The Official New York State Tourism Website
  • NY.com - The Paperless Guide to New York City
To redeem HHonors points for a gift certificate or a VocationVacation, call your nearest Hilton Reservations & Customer Care Office and provide the appropriate Reward Code and your HHonors account number.

Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles®, and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions .

Reservation, Cancellation and Rescheduling Rules and Conditions:
A $100 non-refundable fee is assessed if a VocationVacations experience is cancelled or rescheduled prior to 14-days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday, based on the approved availability of the mentor to reschedule. A VocationVacation cannot be rescheduled and is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled VocationVacations holiday. Written notification of cancellation or rescheduling is required in all cases. Grounded Nomads, LLC dba VocationVacations encourages all customers to acquire travel insurance to cover any unforeseen expenses due to cancellation or rescheduling.