Nita Bees

Nita Willis
Age:42
Residence: San Jose
Tittle: Founder of Nita Bees Tasty's
Education: Two years of college at San Jose State University.
Career Turning Point: After working as a carpet sales woman for 18 years, Willis decided that selling floor covering wasn't very satisfying. " I was really tired of it, but I don't know what to do," Willis said. "this is all I've ever done." For years, Willis has made her Oatmeal Surprise cookies to give as a Christmas gifts. When her friends told her that the cookies were good enough to sell, Willis decided to take her wares and peddle them to local businesses.

"I hope
to be
more
famous
than
Amos."

What she did: Willis used her weekly grocery money - about $40 - and $200 to start her Nita Bees Tasty's gourmet cookie business in February. She made the cookies out of her kitchen and started selling them to friends and local businesses. Her clients have included Stewart Title Co., White Wings Beauty Saloon and All Cal Title Co. Starting out with her trademark Oatmeal Surprise cookies (which contain six key ingredients: coconut, walnuts, raisin, chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter scotch chips), Willis now sells five types of cookies. Her repertoire includes Nutty Macs, Chocolate Chocolate Surprise, Peanut Butter Marys and Chips of Joy. She's sold about 2,000 dozen cookies so far. As her business has expanded, Willis now rents space in a bakery in Palo Alto.
Ambition: " I hope to be more famous than Amos," said Willis, referring to the maker of Famous Amos cookies.
In her own words: "If you're thinking of starting your own business, hold on because you're going to be on for a heck of a ride," Willis said. " Be focused. If you aren't focused, you will fail."

-Sherri Eng
San Jose Mercury News Wednesday, November 15, 1995