From childhood baking to Calgary’s sweetest startup: Meet Sarah, class of 2025 alumna

Sarah Omar graduated from Mount Royal University this June with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in public speaking. But long before she crossed the stage, Sarah had already begun building her sweet legacy through Sarah’s Cookie Jar, a cookie business nestled within Cedar’s Deli in Northeast Calgary.

Baking has always been second nature to Sarah.

“My mom would always find me mixing doughs in the kitchen. I went through seven Easy-Bake Ovens as a kid.”

By the time she reached high school, she had graduated from toy ovens to real batches, baking cookies at her parents’ restaurant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she began handing them out to customers as a small act of kindness during a tough time. With encouragement from her family, Sarah launched Sarah’s Cookie Jar on Instagram — turning her hobby into a business.

One of her first major milestones came early: a fundraiser for her home country of Lebanon following the Beirut port explosion. Sarah raised $1,700, and her parents matched the total. The proceeds were sent to support rebuilding efforts.

When she started university at MRU, Sarah was balancing classes and growing a small business. In her last semester, Sarah’s Cookie Jar was really taking off.

“Since graduating in June, I’ve had my full focus on taking my cookie empire to the next level. Step by step, and with my degree in hand, it’s a very accomplished feeling!”

Her studies in psychology and public speaking gave her a deeper understanding of people — essential for customer service and hospitality. She credits MRU’s professors and her peers for shaping her journey and helping her grow into both an entrepreneur and a community-minded leader.

Now, Sarah is all in on her business, and her passion is baked into every cookie.

Visit Sarah’s Cookie Jar:

📍 3508 32 Ave NE #311, Calgary, AB T1Y 6J2

🌐 sarahscookiejar.ca

Special offer: To celebrate her graduation and continued growth, Sarah is offering a Buy Three Cookies Get One Free promotion to MRU alumni! Whether you’re a longtime fan or stopping by for the first time, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge.