Dana Pollack’s Recipe for Success: Make Sure Everyone’s Thought Of

Dana Pollack can pinpoint the moment her life changed. She was sitting in a cubicle at Muscle & Fitness magazine, editing a photo of men in Speedos, when a single thought stopped her cold: Am I really going to be doing this for the rest of my life? 

The answer came swiftly. Within weeks of turning 30, she quit her job, ended her relationship with her boyfriend, enrolled in culinary school, and met her future husband, Adam. Not long after, over lunch with him and her mom, the idea for Dana’s Bakery was born. 

“I've always been very trigger-happy,” she says with a laugh. “Sometimes it works in my favor. Sometimes it doesn't. Usually it does.” 

Thirteen years later, Dana’s Bakery is a nationally recognized brand with a devoted following for its creative spin on French macarons and its now-famous “mookie” — a cookie filled with macaron goodness. Think of it as dessert’s version of the turducken. At the heart of Dana’s success is the world she’s created — one where everyone feels considered, from her daughters to her employees to her customers. 

Her story goes far beyond baking cookies. It’s a story of nurturing community, fostering connection, and weaving a sense of belonging into everything she creates. Most importantly, it’s about offering her community something truly special, something they can be excited about gifting to the people they love. 

When plan A is at the dry cleaners 

It’s picture day, and Dana’s 9-year-old daughter, Leni, is having a meltdown. The skirt she wants to wear is at the dry cleaners. Dana delivers a dose of perspective with characteristic honesty: “You can cry about it and go to school in your underwear, or you can think of another plan and pick another outfit. The option is up to you, but your life is going to be much better if you stay calm and pick out a plan B.” 

That moment  - part humor, part wisdom -  mirrors how Pollack runs her business. She believes that problems aren’t personal failures but chances to think differently. 

When she was six months pregnant with Leni during the peak holiday season, her landlord had her vacate her commercial kitchen for a tenant willing to pay four times the rent. With her ovens gone and her team in limbo, Dana could’ve paused operations. Instead, she relocated to a new space and kept every employee, ensuring no shipments were missed.  

“Worst-case scenarios happen, and you figure it out,” she says. 

It’s a philosophy she’s passed on to everyone around her: stay calm, stay kind, keep moving. 

Dana's Bakery® Sampler Box

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Dana's Bakery® Stuffed Cookies Combo Box of 10

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Dana's Bakery® Crispy Bars Combo Box of 6

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A business built for everyone 

Dana’s leadership style is rooted in empathy and inclusion. “She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty,” says Marc Fraum, her business partner at Midnight Snacks. “She’ll jump in wherever she’s needed. Her team feels seen because she doesn’t just lead them, she’s with them.” 

That sense of inclusion extends beyond the kitchen. Her husband, Adam, has been there since day one, waiting in carpool lines, packing lunches, and cheering her on. “He’s an equal parent,” Pollack says. “That’s the way it should be.” 

Their daughters, Leni and Ella, are part of the bakery, too. Leni even created a customer-favorite flavor, “Leni Lemon,” while Ella contributes to videos when she’s in the mood. “Sometimes she’s like, ‘No video,’ and I put it away,” Dana says. “Other times she says, ‘Why didn’t you record that?’” 

To Dana, inclusion isn’t a talking point; it's how she works. Her family, her employees, her partners, and her customers get a voice. 

Making space for what matters 

Some weeks she leaves before her daughters wake up; other times she misses school pickups. But she’s learned that being there isn’t about hours,  it’s about intention. 

“When Leni gets home at 8:15 from soccer with five minutes to eat before bed, I make those five minutes count,” she says. “Phone away, fully present.” 

That same attentiveness extends to her business. When she partners with other brands — like Harry & David — she looks for alignment, not just opportunity. “They get Dana’s Bakery,” she says. “They understand what it means to be a woman, a mom, and a force in business. They want to grow that — not change it.”  

As she works on her gluten-free cookbook and dreams up new creations (“Adam keeps pushing for cookies and milk in little cartons,” she laughs), Pollack stays ready for the next idea and the next opportunity to bring people together. 

Because for Dana Pollack, success isn’t just about baking something sweet. It’s about making sure everyone gets a bite.