Ya’ll, I have been waiting and waiting to share La Rue French Macarons with all of you! I found out about Katie’s macaron business through a friend a few years ago. I placed my first order for Audrey’s Winter ONEderland party and I fell in love! I don’t exaggerate when I say that they are the best that you can get in this area. I’ve tried macarons from everywhere I know of in the Huntsville area, and no others compare.
*If you’re unsure as to what the Small Business Small Talk series is, let me explain! My goal with this series is to introduce local small business owners by telling their story and sharing what makes their business special. I believe in supporting local businesses if at all possible, and my hope is that through this series, I will be able to introduce small businesses in the North Alabama area to local readers, who will in turn show their support by “shopping small.”
One thing I love about La Rue Macarons (besides what a sweet person Katie is) is that she offers a wide variety of flavors to choose from, and you have the option to customize your order. My personal favorite flavor is the chocolate espresso…it is to die for! A few other favorites of mine are earl grey, pistachio, salted caramel, pink champagne, and strawberry. She offers so many more flavors, and really, you can’t go wrong! She sometimes offers variety packs, which is a great way to try several flavors at a time.
Katie runs her business out of her home in Huntsville, so be sure and pre-order your macarons and set up a pick-up time with her in advance.
Read on to learn more about Katie, how she got started making macarons, how to place an order and more! Then head to Instagram to enter for a chance to win a FREE assorted dozen of macarons!
Small Business Small Talk with La Rue French Macarons
*All photos by Elles Photography Studios
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: I was born and raised in Huntsville, Al. I lived 5 years in Birmingham and attended UAB School of Nursing where I received my BSN in Nursing. After I graduated, I worked in Labor and Delivery and still continue to deliver babies! I live close to downtown Huntsville with my hubby, Jarrod, Our two standard poodles- Tahoe and Baron, and our kitty cat, Eloise.
Q: I’d love to hear the story of your business! How did you get started making and selling macarons?
A: I taught myself to bake French Macarons in college. I was tired of paying for Macarons, and the ones I had were really not that good. The first couple of times I made macarons, there turned out terrible! It took me a full year to figure out the right recipe. These cookies are tricky! I started taking pictures of the macarons and posting them to my personal Instagram page. After that, I had so many people reaching out to me to make them Macarons for them, I had to officially start the business!
Q: Since you run your business out of your home, what is the best way for customers to place an order?
A: Email or message me on Facebook. LaRueMacarons@gmail.com
Q: What makes your business unique?
A: There are not a lot of options for macarons in Huntsville and the few options you have, you are unable to customize your order.
Q: What flavors are the most popular with your customers?
A: Sea Salt Caramel, Vanilla Bean and Maple Bacon (Fall Flavor)
Q: What challenges have you faced as a small business owner and how did you overcome these obstacles?
A: It can be really difficult to keep my business and personal belongings separate- Especially when we lived in a small apartment. Now that we live in a home, I have my own office to and fridge to keep everything separate.
It can also be difficult to keep myself motivated. In the last few months, I have tried to make a bigger effort on writing down my goals and sticking to a schedule.
Q: Is there anything new or exciting coming up that you’d like to share with your customers?
A: Yes!!! My macarons will be featured in Alabama Wedding Magazine, which will come out in December!
Q: I can imagine that taking the leap to start your own business can be nerve-wracking. Is there any advice you would offer to someone who is considering opening a business of their own?
A: Just Jump into it!! You will never know how successful you will be if you be if you don’t start. Don’t feel like you have to have everything figured. You need to have short term and long term goals that you revisit often and adjust.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Be persistent. It is OK to fail. When you do fail, adjust your actions and keep moving! Find someone to keep you accountable and bounce questions/ideas off of.
How can you support La Rue French Macarons?
Order your first dozen by contacting Katie at LaRueMacarons@gmail.com! You will not be disappointed!
Follow along so you don’t miss a thing!
Instagram: @la_rue_macarons
Facebook: La Rue French Macarons
GIVEAWAY!
Head to Instagram and follow the quick and simple steps to enter to win a dozen assorted macarons!
Want to see more local businesses?
If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to read about other local businesses featured in this series:
Elles Photography Studios (who takes all the photos you see throughout the series)
Grounded Coffee
Trinity’s
Whistle Britches Children’s Boutique
*If you are a small business owner in the Madison/Huntsville/Athens area and would like to be featured, please contact me via email at heather@poppyandgrace.com. If you know of someone who may want to be featured, send them my way!
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