Laura Marzen started baking before she could read the recipes. “I always wanted to be with my mom in the kitchen,” she said. “I would ask her to read the recipes for me, and now it has been over 20 years.”

Marzen has taken her childhood interest from a hobby to a profession and started her own business, Laura’s Irresistible Cookies LLC; she is the founder, baker and co-owner with her husband, Eric.

“You could never go to a grocery store and buy these cookies; they are home-style, with an upscale flair,” she said.

Last summer she started researching the possibility of running a baking business out of her home. With the holidays approaching, she decided to get her kitchen licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health and test out the business concept. A friend made the first order, with a total of 30 boxes, for business appreciations gifts.

“It was a good trial run and I learned a lot,” Marzen said. “I decided to keep doing it and formed an LLC afterward.”

Marketing is her main focus for the business right now. She is working to build her contacts through family and friends. Local small businesses, which she thinks will be the “most steady customers,” are where Marzen is directing the majority of her marketing. She also will supply cookies for personal gifts, parties and weddings.

Future plans include developing a Web site, setting up shipping options and, if the business expands enough, someday possibly opening a commercial kitchen.

Marzen’s cookie menu mostly consists of traditional fare, such as snickerdoodles and oatmeal chocolate chip. She also has some more unusual varieties, including dark chocolate cherry chunk cookies and raspberry almond bars.

After attending Iowa State University and becoming a registered dietician, Marzen tried the clinical field. But after working in a hospital for eight months, she decided that was not where she wanted to be. Her “day job” is at Meredith Corp. as a test kitchen nutrition specialist and product supervisor. One of her duties is testing recipes that go into the company’s publications.

“It translates well; I get good ideas and experience, and it is helpful with troubleshooting,” she said.

Even with her background as a registered dietician, Marzen allows herself treats and believes others can have them too. “It all fits, eat wisely and indulge a little,” she said. “Cookies happen to be my indulgence.”