This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Maura Duggan, founder and CEO of Fancypants Baking Co. The CPG cookie business sees top-line annual sales ranging from $5 million to $10 million and is available in over 1,750 retailers, including Central Market, Gelson's and Mother's Market. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
After earning my bachelor's in neuroscience and master's in education from Harvard, I worked as a researcher for an education nonprofit. While it was rewarding, I missed having a creative outlet where I could continue to challenge myself and learn in a different way.

Related: At 24, She Was Fired From Her Advertising Job. Then an 'Incredibly Important' Mindset Helped Her Build a Multimillion-Dollar Business.

When did you start your side hustle, and where did you find the inspiration for it?
Baking has always been a way for me to reconnect with memories of my mother and grandmother, so when I wanted to bring in some extra income, I naturally gravitated toward the kitchen and my favorite dessert — cookies. In 2004, I started Fancypants in my tiny condo kitchen. What began as a small venture quickly turned into something more, and soon, I found myself asking, Why can't I turn this into a real........

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