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Bloomfield Hills' Sweetest Financial Planner: 'C. Crunching Cookies' Turns Bakes into Balance Sheets

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 22:13 GMT by Detroit Free Press

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Bloomfield Hills’ Sweetest Financial Planner: “C. Crunching Cookies” Turns Bakes into Balance Sheets

When you think of a financial planner, you probably picture a crisp PowerPoint deck, a white‑board full of numbers, and a client who asks, “What’s the best way to save for my kids’ college fund?” On a rainy Wednesday afternoon in Bloomfield Hills, a different sort of financial wizard was busy in a kitchen instead. Carol Cain’s column in the Detroit Free Press introduces us to “C. Crunching Cookies,” the local financial planner who has turned her love of baked goods into a thriving side‑business called Dvine Cookies.

A Tale of Two Careers

The article opens with a photo of the owner, a woman in her early forties named Cynthia “C.” Hart, standing in front of a white‑washed pantry full of cookie tins, a crisp business card in the other hand. The juxtaposition of a pastry chef’s apron and a finance professional’s blazer is intentional. “I’ve been a financial planner for twelve years, but my passion for baking started when I was nine and my grandmother taught me how to make sugar cookies,” Hart explains. “It was the idea of turning something sweet into something that could bring people together that first sparked the idea for Dvine Cookies.”

Cynthia Hart earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation after graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics. Over the years, she has helped dozens of Bloomfield Hills families navigate life’s financial milestones—retirement, home‑buying, and estate planning. Her practice, “Hart & Associates,” has built a reputation for clear communication and a “no‑nonsense” approach that many local homeowners swear by.

In 2019, Hart began experimenting with cookies in her home kitchen as a way to unwind after a long day of client meetings. The first batch of “Crunch‑and‑Glaze” chocolate chips turned out so well that neighbors started asking for them. That demand eventually turned into an impromptu side‑business. Hart didn’t want to abandon her day job, so she began selling the cookies at local farmers’ markets and during charity fundraisers. As the article notes, “The cookies have become as much a part of the community as the church bake sale.”

Dvine Cookies: A Sweet Success Story

According to the piece, Dvine Cookies is named after the brand’s founding philosophy: “divine” as in heavenly, but also “DV” for “Diverse Varieties.” The brand offers a rotating menu of six core flavors—classic sugar, snickerdoodle, double chocolate, almond, gingerbread, and lemon‑lavender—plus limited‑edition seasonal treats. Each cookie is dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with a light butter‑cream, giving them a professional finish that sets them apart from typical “homemade” offerings.

The article includes a link to Dvine Cookies’ website, where you can view the full catalog, place orders, and learn about the company’s commitment to local sourcing. The business’s packaging—recyclable cardboard tins with a simple black logo—echoes Hart’s minimalist aesthetic that also appears in her financial planning presentations.

Hart’s dual roles are complementary in more ways than one. “I use the same budgeting software I use for my clients to track cookie production costs,” she tells Cain. “Ingredient prices, packaging, labor hours—all of that is part of my financial model.” She also discusses how she uses profits from Dvine Cookies to fund a small “cookie‑crowdfunding” fund that sponsors scholarships for Bloomfield Hills high‑school students studying business or culinary arts.

Turning Sweetness into Stability

In addition to the culinary details, the column dives deep into Hart’s financial philosophy. “The cookies are a living case study,” she says. “If you’re going to plan for a client’s future, you have to live your own financial decisions. I treat every batch as an experiment in risk versus reward.” The article recounts how Hart applies the same principles she teaches—diversification, risk tolerance, liquidity—to her cookie production.

For instance, Hart runs a “trial‑and‑error” production schedule that mirrors a client’s cash‑flow projections. She calculates break‑even points for each flavor and uses the data to decide which cookies to focus on for the next season. “If a particular flavor isn’t selling, I can pivot quickly,” she explains. “It’s the same thing with an investment portfolio: you reallocate based on performance and market trends.”

The article features a small sidebar with Hart’s “cookie‑budget template,” a spreadsheet that outlines ingredients, labor, overhead, and projected revenue. The spreadsheet is also used in Hart’s client workshops where she teaches small business owners how to price their products and forecast cash flow.

Community Engagement and Local Impact

One of the most compelling sections of the article highlights Hart’s engagement with the Bloomfield Hills community. “C. Crunching Cookies” has been a staple at the Bloomfield Hills Annual Fundraiser, and the proceeds from each event are partially donated to the local literacy program. The column also discusses Hart’s involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, where she serves on the “Women in Business” committee.

There is a direct link to the Bloomfield Hills Chamber website, offering readers more context about the local business ecosystem and how entrepreneurs like Hart help shape it. The article also quotes a longtime client, Emily Grant, who says, “Cynthia’s financial advice has made a tangible difference in my life, but her cookies have become part of our holiday traditions. It’s rare to find someone who’s both a financial savant and a culinary artist.”

A Sweet Takeaway

Carol Cain’s piece ends on a light note, with a photo of Hart holding a freshly baked batch of lemon‑lavender cookies, a small stack of financial reports beside her. “You can’t have a balanced life without a balanced dessert,” Hart quips. “If you’re going to eat your financial goals, make them crunchy.”

The article weaves together finance, food, and community, offering a unique perspective on how personal passions can intersect with professional expertise. For Bloomfield Hills residents, “C. Crunching Cookies” serves as a reminder that sound financial planning doesn’t have to be dull—especially when it’s baked with a pinch of love, a dash of ambition, and a sprinkle of sugar.