24 Year Old Woman Quits FBI to Follow Her Dream and Open a Cookie Shop
Why a 24-year-old left law enforcement for baking.
Kendall Feighan, 24, has traded in crime scenes for cookie dough. The White Plains, N.Y., native left a career with the FBI in Virginia to pursue a lifelong passion for baking.
“I’ve dreamed about opening Just Chippy’s since I was a little girl,” Kendall tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined the line out the door from the moment we open to the moment we close. Watching people grab cookies, walk a few steps, and then come right back for more has been surreal.”
From FBI to Flour
Kendall began her professional life investigating crimes for the FBI, but her true passion has always been baking. She eventually moved back home to New York, attending the International Culinary Center while waitressing and working at a local bagel shop.
Her cookie business started from her apartment last March, selling at a local farmer’s market. The soft, locally sourced cookies were an instant hit, and Kendall quickly set her sights on opening a physical store.
On January 13, she launched Just Chippy’s in North White Plains. The shop’s playful purple aesthetic, complete with a stencil reading “Life’s too short to be anything other than Just Chippy’s,” reflects Kendall’s cheerful, personal touch.
A Family Affair
Kendall worked closely with her brother, Colman, to build the business, from the curated cookie menu to the shop’s overall vibe. Family influences are baked into every cookie:
- Sparky’s Sprinkles – named after her grandfather, who taught her to run a farm stand.
- Nan’s Blueberry Best – honors her grandmother, who first taught her to bake.
- Col’s Chocolate Craze – a nod to her brother’s behind-the-scenes support.
The shop also features illustrations of her grandparents and old photos of Kendall baking as a child, highlighting the personal history behind each sweet treat.
“Just Chippy’s is more than cookies, it’s our family story, our passion, and a dream finally realized,” Kendall says.
The shop has already become a local favorite, drawing crowds eager to sample the ultra-soft cookies that helped turn Kendall’s childhood dream into reality.
