Inside Mandy Edmunds' business kitchen, which was built inside her garage.
Mandy Edmunds
Baker Mandy Edmunds and her husband, Dave Edmunds, transformed their garage into a second kitchen.
The kitchen serves as the dedicated space for Mandy Edmunds' dessert business, Sugared Up Cookies.
The process took about eight months and cost the couple $26,000.
You can never have too many cookies — or too much kitchen space.
Just ask Mandy Edmunds, a 47-year-old mom and baker based in Los Angeles.
She began building her business, Sugared Up Cookies, from scratch in 2019, but outgrew her home kitchen a few years later.
Rather than renting a retail location, her husband, Dave Edmunds, proposed another idea.
"'This is really taking off, and it's great that you're doing this,'" Mandy Edmunds recalled her husband saying. "'You're happy and successful, but I think it's time for a dedicated space.'"
Together, they spent about eight months and $26,000 transforming their two-car garage into a second kitchen. The process, she said, has led to the growth of her business and tens of thousands of cookies in the oven.
Mandy Edmunds never intended to run a baking business from her home.
Dave Edmunds and Mandy Edmunds.
Mandy Edmunds
After getting married in 2017, Edmunds had adjusted to life as a stay-at-home mom and was looking for a way to fill some free time.
She found it in 2019 when a friend invited her to a cookie-decorating class hosted by a professional baker in the Los Angeles area.
"The cookies were so gorgeous. I had no idea you could do this with icing," she told Business Insider. "It excited me, and I wondered if it was something I would like to do."
She had the opportunity to figure that out when the COVID-19 pandemic hit three months later. She began baking for friends and family, who suggested she start taking orders.
Edmunds was skeptical, but curious. Her husband helped her create social media accounts promoting her desserts.
Within a week, she had a small business on her hands.
As orders rolled in, she knew she needed more space to bake.
Mandy Edmunds
For her first few years in business, Edmunds baked from her home's kitchen. It was "a bit of a struggle," she said.
She and her husband couldn't use the kitchen at the same time for worry of cross-contamination, and their pets — one dog and one cat — had to stay out of the room.
"I take cleanliness and quality very seriously," Edmunds told Business Insider.
Edmunds' husband suggested they transform their garage into a cookie kitchen.
Inside the Edmunds' garage at the start of renovations.
Mandy Edmunds
At the time, their two-car garage was being used to house one vehicle, some holiday decorations, their laundry units, and tools.
The couple realized that they could easily rearrange their belongings, move their washer and dryer to another side of the garage, and turn the rest of the space into a kitchen.
So Dave Edmunds, a general contractor, quickly got to brainstorming and drafting, which took a little over a month.
Renovations began in May 2023.
The Edmunds' garage at the start of construction.
Mandy Edmunds
Edmunds told Business Insider that her husband would typically work his regular job, then come home and chip away at the garage renovation. He'd also dedicate some weekends to the project.
To start, the couple essentially split the garage in two.
Mandy Edmunds
They planned to move their laundry units to one side of the garage, where they'd also have some remaining storage space.
The kitchen would take up the other side, and a wall would separate the two areas.
Laundry units were the first appliances installed in the renovated space.
Mandy Edmunds
As Edmunds noted, the garage didn't need to be demolished. It was basically "a blank canvas," she said.
The biggest changes involved swapping their traditional water heater for a tankless model, which they installed outside their home, and switching their overhead, roll-up garage door to a side mount.
They also needed to make some plumbing adjustments.
"We absolutely cannot live without our laundry, so we moved the washer and dryer first," Edmunds said. "But we didn't have a plumbing hookup on the other side of the garage, so Dave ended up having to trench it out and put it over there."
Soon enough, they'd added insulation, drywall, a window, and more.
Mandy Edmunds
Because Edmunds would eventually bake in the garage-turned-kitchen, she needed a window. Her husband carved one out on the side wall.
They also added outlets, insulation, drywall, and numerous cabinets.
Countertops, electrical work, a sink, a mini-split HVAC system, and a TV came later. So did the kitchen's backsplash, wallpaper, and paint job.
Construction materials are pricey — but the couple found ways to save money.
Mandy Edmunds
Edmunds said the renovation cost her and her husband around $26,000.
While that's a fair chunk of change, she noted that the project typically costs more.
In their case, they were able to save money on certain materials because Dave Edmunds could get them cheaper through colleagues.
Edmunds also already owned many of the major appliances that she'd need for baking.
The project took around eight months to complete.
Mandy Edmunds
Renovations concluded in January 2024. The finished space includes an epoxy floor, quartzite countertops, tiled backsplash, and a stainless steel sink.
There's also a small seating area and a TV so Edmunds can watch shows while baking.
The room is painted green in some areas and decorated with floral wallpaper in others.
Mandy Edmunds
The wallpaper lines her apron rack — which is full of pink gear — and her two True commercial freezers.
When it comes to baking, Edmunds said organization is key.
Mandy Edmunds
That's why she wanted her commercial kitchen to have numerous spacious drawers and cabinets to hold her supplies.
Some drawers are large enough to fit large rolling pins, for example, while others are lined with spice racks to keep her food colorings right side up.
One nifty addition comes in the form of a retractable clothing line above the sink.
Mandy Edmunds
"You're not allowed to use dish towels and things like them [to dry baking mats], because you'd get little fibers and whatnot on them," Edmunds said. "Everything has to air dry after being sanitized using a quaternary ammonium solution."
"So I use stainless steel clothes hangers with little hooks to clip them and line dry them," she continued. "It's exciting because now, I don't need to have everything spread out all over my countertops."
Of course, you can't forget the oven and dishwasher.
Mandy Edmunds
The couple installed a Viking 7 Series electric convection oven and a Kitchenaid stainless steel dishwasher in the kitchen.
The latter can fit multiple large baking sheets at once, saving Edmunds time on sanitizing. The oven sits below her work laptop and edible-ink printer from Eddie.
Edmunds now has her dream baking space, and it's boosted her business to new heights.
Cookies made by Mandy Edmunds.
Mandy Edmunds
Edmunds said she wouldn't change a thing about the kitchen. Every inch was designed intentionally.
Her business has been positively affected as a result. She's baked tens of thousands of cookies in the space, she said, and has been able to start hosting cookie-decorating classes.
She describes the kitchen as a sanctuary and one of her "greatest blessings."
"My heart is overflowing with gratitude, both for my husband, Dave, who believed in me and poured so much effort into helping me build this dream, and for my wonderful clients, who trust me to be part of their most meaningful celebrations," she said.
"Every time I step into my beautiful custom kitchen, I still have moments where I can't believe it's really mine," Edmunds added. "Having this space has allowed me to do what I love every day, right from home, while maintaining the balance between my work and my family. That means so much to me."
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Every gift in this guide can either be personalized with your company logo or ordered in bulk at a discount.
Crate & Barrel
Corporate gifting season has arrived, and it's time to treat your employees. Instead of cheap plastic water bottles and throwaway shades with your logo on it, we've rounded up nearly 40 options that qualify for the best corporate gifts, all of which can be easily ordered in bulk. Many also allow you to personalize the gift with your company's logo. Below are a variety of ideas that your employees and clients will be delighted to receive from gourmet charcuterie boards to one of our favorite pairs of noise-cancelling headphones. We recommend placing your orders early to ensure timely delivery for the holidays.
This gift guide features a sponsored inclusion from lululemon. The product also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.
Affordable luxury goods from Quince
Quince
Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase
Quince is one of our favorite retailers for reasonably priced luxury-quality goods. We've reviewed dozens of items from Quince, but some favorites that would make great corporate gifts include this backpack (a dupe of Dagne Dover's Dakota backpack) and the hardshell suitcase, which we named the best budget pick in our guide to the best carry-on bags. Quince has a dedicated corporate gifting program, which allows you to add your logo and access wholesale pricing. Options include embroidery, screen printing, embossing, white labeling, and more.
A bottle of California olive oil with a custom message
Flamingo Estate
Flamingo Estate Personalized Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Flamingo Estate is one of the buzziest brands of 2025. Its farm-to-table offerings make beautiful, bespoke gifts that feel unique and special. We also love the brand's candles too. The brand can accommodate corporate gifting inquiries for up to 500 recipients, with options to add personalized messages and send to multiple addresses.
Premium activewear and accessories from a much-loved athletic brand
lululemon
lululemon Everywhere Backpack, 22L
Premium, comfortable athleticwear makes for a corporate gift that will be universally loved and oft worn. Cult-favorite brand lululemon has a devoted following and can claim several viral products among its offerings, including its ultra-popular belt bags, scuba hoodies, and ABC pants (a particular hit with golfers). You can use its dedicated corporate gifting program for orders of over 50 items, with the option to add your company's branding.
Custom leather tech folios with their initials or your team's logo
Mark & Graham
Mark & Graham Essential Tech Folio
Every item at Mark & Graham can be customized, making it a great one-stop shop for corporate gifting. We particularly like this tech folio; ideal for road warriors and business travelers of all kinds. Learn more about Mark & Graham's corporate gifting program.
Decadent chocolates engraved with your logo
La Maison du Chocolat
La Maison du Chocolat Coffret Maison Dark and Milk Chocolate, 40 Pieces
Our pick for the best chocolates you can gift, La Maison du Chocolate offers gift sets that are sure to impress your employees with both high-quality chocolate and beautiful packaging.
Through the brand's corporate concierge, you can customize not only the box, but also the chocolates themselves with your company logo.
The very best slippers and socks
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
Bombas Sunday Slippers
Bombas makes some of our all-time favorite socks and slippers. Its bulk gifting program allows you to get 20% off orders between $1,000 and $5,000, and your gift will go even further — Bombas will donate one pair of socks to those in need for every pair purchased.
There are many circumstances where sending flowers to employees, clients, or customers is appropriate. Whether you're offering condolences, sending a note of thanks, or celebrating an important milestone, The Bouqs Co. is the best flower delivery service we tested. The brand has a dedicated page for B2B orders and can handle both one-off arrangements and bulk gifting.
A piece of swag they'll actually get some use out of
Blunt
Blunt Metro Travel Umbrella
An umbrella is a classic corporate gift, and for good reason: It's actually useful. We've tested dozens of the best umbrellas, and nothing beats the Blunt Metro. You can inquire about branded orders customized with your company's logo.
Engraved spirits from ReserveBar
Crystal Cox/Business Insider
ReserveBar Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label
Consider a bottle of their favorite spirit from ReserveBar's corporate gifting guide. Based on your employees' preferences, you can choose from a wide variety of champagnes, tequilas, and cocktail gift sets.
If you're looking to make this gift even more special, you can opt for a custom bottle engraving.
A handy portable battery
Amazon
Anker 621 MagoGo Wireless Portable Charger
There's nothing worse than running out of power on your phone while working on the go. This portable power bank from Anker has enough juice to provide at least four full charges on most phones. Anker also offers helpful corporate gifting options with logo customization.
Delicious treats from Goldbelly
Goldbelly
Goldbelly Corporate Gifts
You can never go wrong with baked goods. Goldbelly's corporate gifting program allows you to send local eats to your employees regardless of their location. You can also narrow your search by region.
It offers everything from organic mixed fruit baskets to gift boxes of assorted brownies. Plus, every order also helps support small or minority-owned businesses. For bulk orders of 15 recipients or more, you can email concierge@goldbelly.com.
A custom word search throw with company themes
Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods Personalized Word Search Throw
Uncommon Goods excels in personalized gifts, and this custom word search throw allows you to add up to 15 words unique to your team. It's a great option for a gift with a team theme that doesn't feel overtly branded. The brand has a dedicated corporate gifting page with all available bulk order options.
Elegant candles from Diptyque
Diptyque
Diptyque Feu du Bois Candle
There are plenty of amazing candles out there, but few are quite as giftable as Diptyque's. These premium candles are available in many scents to suit the different personalities of your employees, and they look great on any tabletop (office, bedroom, or otherwise). It's a luxe treat that will be received very well.
You can contact the brand about corporate gifts and to place a large order.
A Hydro Flask mug with your team's logo
Hydro Flask
Hydro Flask Insulated Coffee Mug (12-oz.)
This mug is a common desk companion for the Insider Reviews team. The 12-ounce coffee mug has the company's proprietary TempShield insulation that made its water bottles famous. Hydro Flask will put your company's branding on the mug.
A dash of greenery on their desk or in their room will make them happy — make it low-maintenance and nearly impossible to kill, and they'll be even happier. You can learn more about custom gifting at Lula's Garden here.
There's no sweeter way to thank your employees for their hard work than with a box of Shari's Berries chocolate-covered treats. The strawberries are hand-dipped in decadent chocolate and finished with a contrasting chocolate drizzle. This gift is so delicious it probably won't last long, but we think that's a good thing.
You can save up to 15% when you place a bulk order at Shari's Berries. Just email corporate@berries.com to learn more.
Crate & Barrel has some excellent corporate gifts, including many that can be personalized, like these cutting boards. You can email gifting@crateandbarrel.com or check out the brand's corporate gifting page for more.
A pair of comfortable and stylish sneakers
Allbirds/Insider
Allbirds Wool Runners
Allbirds makes some of the most comfortable sneakers we've tested and the brand has a bulk ordering form so you can outfit the entire office. Our favorite Allbirds style is the Wool Runners, which are like wearing a really supportive and stylish slipper. As a bonus, they're machine washable.
A variety of Sugarwish candies for every kind of sweet tooth
Sugarwish
Sugarwish Candy or Snack Gift Box
If your employees prefer sour, sweet, or even chocolate candy, Sugarwish's wide offering of sweets and snacks has them covered. Plus, Sugarwish's corporate gifting program allows businesses to customize candies with branding and logos.
Cute gift boxes you can curate
Greetabl
Greetabl Personalized Gift Box
Greetabl lets you pick everything from the box and bow to the contents inside the present. You can pick everything from a mug and socks to bath bombs and hot sauce to create a truly customizable gift. The "Send Many" option lets you place a bulk order in minutes.
Compact Bluetooth earbuds
JLab
JLab Go Air Pop Bluetooth Earbuds
Reliable wireless earbuds make a great gift, and the JLab Go Air Pop are among the best earbuds you can get on a budget. They're perfect for listening to music during or after work, feature a compact design, have great battery life, and come in lots of fun colors. JLab also offers discounts for bulk orders.
A gift card for good eats
Carlo Allegri/Reuters
DoorDash Gift Card
It can be hard to find a gift the whole team will love, but a DoorDash gift card is sure to be unanimously loved. They can use it to get groceries, a five-star meal, or everyday essentials delivered straight to their door.
DoorDash offers bulk pricing for businesses, which you can learn more about on the DoorDash website.
A box of work-from-home essentials
Delightly
Delightly Home Office Essentials
A great way to thank remote employees for all of their hard work is with a box of essentials to upgrade their home office. This kit features a mug, desktop vacuum, custom journal, and essential oils to help them keep their space tidy, their ideas organized, their mind focused, and their body relaxed after a long day. If you're doing a large order for your organization, you can contact Delightly for a quote.
A business-minded read
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble Gift Card
Is there a book the CEO of your organization swears everyone needs to read once in their life? A hardcover that your founder recommends to anyone who will listen? If so, give everyone at your company the chance to finally read it. Barnes & Noble makes it easy to bulk order books, just fill out a quote.
Olive oil they've been meaning to try from Brightland
Brightland
Brightland Awake Olive Oil
California brand Brightland makes extra virgin olive oil and vinegar that we've found to be full-bodied and sharp. Its recognizable white bottles protect the EVOO from light damage — and also look really nice displayed on a countertop. Read our full Brightland olive oil review.
Noise-canceling headphones for loud work environments
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Noise Canceling Headphones
More workers are logging on while on the road. Whether in airports or busy coffee shops, finding the quiet needed for more cognitively challenging tasks can be tricky. Enter the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones, our pick for the best headphones on a budget. Their active noise-canceling performance is surprisingly strong and perfect for helping employees focus in any environment.
If you work at a food and beverage brand, a food media company, or any organization where food is a huge part of your day-to-day work, a great piece of cookware is a thoughtful gift for your employees. This one from Our Place is designed to make your life in the kitchen easier with smart, functional features like a built-in spoon rest and included steamer.
Whether this luxuriously soft blanket hangs over their desk chair or drapes on their couch at home, it's sure to be a well-appreciated gift. For a touch of company spirit, you can add monograms or your company logo, too.
Applying to Pottery Barn's corporate gifting program is quick, easy, and free. You can join and place your corporate gifting order in just a few days.
Tote bags of your city
West Elm
Claudia Pearson City Tote Bags
Pay homage to the city where you work with these cute canvas tote bags. Each one is covered in illustrations depicting the symbols that make each city unique. West Elm even has a corporate gifting program.
High-quality sunglasses from Sunglass Hut
Sunglass Hut/Instagram
Polo Ralph Lauren Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a common gift or employee freebie, but they're rarely worn because they're usually plain or low-quality.
Sunglass Hut offers top brands and stylish options that everyone will actually want to wear. A perk of ordering through Sunglass Hut is that anyone can go to a store to receive a free personalized adjustment if the glasses don't fit well. Learn about corporate gifting at Sunglass Hut.
Custom L.L.Bean jackets
L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean Men's Sweater Fleece Full-Zip Jacket
When it comes to gifting clothing, one size does not fit all. Luckily, L.L.Bean's business gifting site offers a wide range of inclusive sizes, from S to 3X. Its fitness fleece quarter-zip jacket is available in five colors and can be customized with a logo.
Whether you're sipping on a hot or cold drink, YETI's stainless steel, double-wall insulated tumblers never fail to keep your beverage at the optimal temperature. Employees can keep them on their desks or bring them along to the trails on their days off. The brand makes some of the best travel mugs you can buy.
Who wouldn't want a product that makes their home smell fresh and clean? This NEST Reed Diffuser features a vibrant and energizing herbal blend of eucalyptus, lemongrass, and ginger, which will waft through their space for up to 90 days. The beautiful glass vessel is reusable and can be refilled with the same scent or something new.
NEST has a corporate gifting program that offers free shipping, exclusive benefits, and even allows you to customize gifts with your company logo.
Leather accessories from Leatherology
Leatherology/Instagram
Leatherology Bifold Wallet
Send employees a beautiful, full-grain leather accessory like a luggage tag, business card case, or keychain. For an extra special touch, add a debossed monogram or logo.
Though leather goods sound like a premium gift that could be out of your budget, Leatherology sells its bags and accessories without the markup, so customers don't have to spend so much for a touch of luxury. You can fill out a corporate gift inquiry form at Leatherology.
Mashable magnet toys from Speks
Crystal Cox/Insider
Speks 2.5mm Magnet Balls
We loved these tiny magnet toys a lot more than we expected to. Less obnoxious than fidget spinners, they're immensely satisfying to play with and build with as you work through a problem or concentrate on a task. The set includes 512 rare earth magnetic balls, a metal building base, a plastic splitter card, a 16-page starter guide, and a carrying case. The brand offers options to customize colors and logos to suit your business via its corporate ordering page. Check out our full Speks magnets review.
A luxurious cashmere beanie
Naadam
Naadam The Essential Ribbed Cashmere Beanie
Naadam's ribbed cashmere beanie is a practical but luxurious winter accessory that will make their winter commutes all the more pleasant. It is made of super-soft 100% Mongolian cashmere, comes in a variety of colors, is unisex, and is seriously cozy. Email corporategifting@naadam.co to get started on coordinating a Naadam order for your team.
A reliable phone case for first-rate protection
Otterbox
Otterbox Commuter Series for iPhone 17
A sturdy phone case can provide your employees with peace of mind, and the Commuter case from Otterbox is one of the top picks in our guide to the best iPhone cases. This model is specifically for the iPhone 17, but the brand also sells options for other phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and more. The case offers excellent drop protection in a grippy and light design. The brand also offers customization options so you can add a company logo.