Meet Elizabeth Pippin Nelson | CEO and NC/SC Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Pippin Nelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth Pippin, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
For me, the most important thing I’ve done is show my kids what it looks like to bet on yourself—and follow through. I bought Milkin’ Cookie just weeks before I was surprisingly laid off from my fancy corporate job after returning from maternity leave. I didn’t know it then, but that timing was the universe handing me a blank page. And instead of waiting for someone else to write the next chapter, I picked up the pen myself.

I turned a product I truly believed in into a brand that empowers women—because that’s what I want my kids to see. I want them to grow up knowing that they can build something meaningful, that it’s okay to pivot, and that success doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s timeline or path but their own.

Whether I’m baking cookies or handing over keys to a new home, I’m living proof that motherhood doesn’t put your dreams on pause—it gives them purpose.

At the end of the day, I’m not just building businesses —I’m building a legacy. And my kids get a front-row seat.

What should our readers know about your business?
Milkin’ Cookie is a boutique wellness cookie company that started as a solution for moms struggling with their milk supply—but it’s become so much more than that. Yes, our cookies are loaded with ingredients known to support lactation, but they also help with digestion, energy, hormone balancing, feeling fuller longer, and overall wellness. I love that they were born for breastfeeding, but have grown into something the whole family can enjoy. Moms, dads, toddlers, and grandparents – everybody’s getting in on the Milkin’ Cookie action!

What really sets us apart is that everything we do is intentional. Our mixes are preservative-free, shelf-stable for 18 months, coconut oil-based, and handmade with natural and organic ingredients. I believe in transparency, and I believe in nourishing people in all the seasons of life—especially the ones that feel overwhelming and under-supported.

I didn’t set out to own a cookie company. I was actually gifted a bag of Milkin’ Cookie mix after the birth of my daughter. I went from underproducing to overproducing, and when I went to reorder more… I ended up buying the entire company. (I mean, talk about a plot twist.) It wasn’t easy, but I believed in the product because I’d lived the transformation. And I wanted to give other moms that same hope.

Getting here took grit, Google, late nights, and a lot of support from my husband and the incredible women in my village. It’s been scrappy and imperfect and honestly? Beautiful. I’ve learned that business isn’t linear. There are highs that make you feel unstoppable and lows that’ll have you questioning nearly all of your life choices at 3 a.m. But I’ve also learned that the mission will carry you through the mess—especially when you know you’re helping people.

I want the world to know that Milkin’ Cookie isn’t just about cookies. It’s about community. It’s about turning pain into purpose. It’s about taking one small, meaningful product and letting it ripple into something much bigger. If you’re a mom in the trenches, a woman with a dream, or someone just trying to do the next right thing—I see you. And I’m cheering you on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When close friends visit, I love curating a week that gives them a full taste of life in Ballantyne—somewhere between relaxed Southern charm and elevated, everyday luxury. It’s one of those places that surprises people. They don’t expect to find so much variety in such a walkable, welcoming part of Charlotte.

We’d start most mornings with a class or two at Hotworx, followed by coffee from Summit or Cafe Moka, which has an incredible vibe I love. If we’re feeling indulgent, we’d head to Amélie’s for a pastry or to Flying Biscuit for a comforting Southern breakfast (their grits are next-level). First Watch is another go-to—simple, fresh, and reliably delicious. Also The Gallery at The Ballantyne Hotel is incredible.

From there, we’d spend time outdoors—walking the Greenway, playing pickleball, or visiting the Ballantyne Bowl and the Farmers Market. I especially love going there to gather ingredients for my husband Red to make his famous Moroccan tagine—he makes them with fresh market produce and they’re always a hit with guests. Add in his homemade bread and it’s like we’re right back in Marrakesh.

Lunches and dinners would rotate between my favorite local spots. OGGI for homemade Italian, 131 Main for upscale comfort food, Hazelnuts Crêperie for something light and lovely, and Viva Chicken when we want bold flavors. We’d also make time for a cozy dinner at Blue Taj for Indian or Greco for Greek. And a night out at Postino is a must—the atmosphere is lively and the bruschetta is perfect. Don’t forget about sweet treats at Tifa and cocktails at Juniper.

One night, we’d unwind with a glass of wine and dinner at Arthur’s in Belk—it’s an under-the-radar favorite. And in between, we’d shop the local boutiques at Waverly, Blakeney, and Stonecrest, then end with a visit to SouthPark Mall.

We’d definitely build in a wellness day—massages and facials at Nature’s Spa & Wellness, a little self-care glow-up at Med Boutique, and an adjustment at Axiom Chiropractic to keep everything in balance. It’s those little resets that make a big difference.

If my girlfriend brings her kiddos, we’d head to Hall Family Farm for strawberry picking or let the littles burn some energy at SkyZone or Chuck E. Cheese. And when we need to just relax we’d head to the pool.

We’d end the week around our dinner table—Red’s tagine on the stove, the kids running around, good drinks, and even better conversation. Ballantyne is truly a special place and a week here would certainly leave my guests wanting more.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh, this one hits home—because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that success is NEVER a solo act. I would not be where I am today without the strength, support, and sisterhood of the women who’ve lifted me up along the way. From the very beginning, it’s been women—mentors, collaborators, teammates, and friends—who’ve poured into me, cheered me on, and reminded me of my purpose when things felt heavy.

My grandmothers were the original blueprint for entrepreneurship: Honey, my paternal grandmother, was the heart of the kitchen and taught me the joy (and magic) of baking with love—lessons that show up in every Milkin’ Cookie. And Grammy, my maternal grandmother, showed me that women can absolutely dominate in real estate and build a life they love on their own terms. Their legacies run through everything I do.

Along the way, I’ve been surrounded by the most incredible businesswomen—brand strategists, photographers, designers, business coaches, financial advisors, accountants, PR queens and so many more—who have shared their knowledge and helped me grow in ways I never could’ve imagined. My mentors, coaches, and lifelong girlfriends are the quiet forces behind the scenes who help keep me sane with so many balls in the air, and the women in my entrepreneurial circle push me forward daily, reminding me that I’m not alone and I that I can keep going.

And then, of course, there’s my incredible and oh so amazing husband Red—whome I absolutely adore and who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself. He’s been my sounding board, my steady hand, and my biggest cheerleader, even through the messiest parts of this wild journey. In fact, it was Red who encouraged me to get my real estate license. He saw me helping moms with growing families and pointed out that growing families need bigger houses and well – here we are … nearly 2 years later and I’m Rookie of the Year at my firm and expanding Milkin’ Cookie past lactation support and into whole family wellness.

Now, I get to pay it forward. Through Milkin’ Cookie, the Hot Mom Society, and every one-on-one conversation I have with a mom or aspiring entrepreneur, I get to be a part of someone else’s village. And that full-circle moment? It’s everything to me.

So yes, I may be the CEO—but I am standing on the shoulders of an army of wise, generous, and unstoppable women (and one very patient husband). And for them, I’m endlessly grateful.

Website: https://www.milkincookie.com

Instagram: themilkincookie

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-pippin-nelson-msc-7ba59164/