Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emily Soule, Founder of Mt. Magnificent Macarons, located in Eagle River, AK, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Mt. Magnificent Macarons is a home bakery business in Eagle River, Alaska! We host bakery pop-ups at local venues, fill corporate gifting orders, and we also offer custom macaron towers for special events (based on calendar availability). Most of our customers are fellow locals and visitors to the area.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Emily Soule, a business owner and baker at Mt. Magnificent Macarons. This actually all started as a hobby for me! I became a stay-at-home mom in 2014, and after a few years at home and a couple of kids later, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. I say that with much appreciation because truth be told, I love baking and creating in the kitchen. On a whim, I learned how to make macarons in 2017 from an online recipe. I started sharing them with friends and family, brought them to the Christmas cookie exchange, etc. I got a lot of positive feedback and credit those first taste testers for inspiring me to take things to the next level. "You should sell these," "I would buy these!" "Can I order some for my office?" were a few of the early comments that got my wheels turning. At the time, no one in my small town offered macarons as a gift item or as a pop-up boutique. So the following summer of 2018, I applied for a cottage food permit and started selling macarons at our local farmers market. Over the years, we've added a few more local venues but have remained cottage industry, keeping it small, personal and family-run.
What motivates me each day? Well, I was initially motivated by the compulsion to conquer the macaron! There is chemistry and technique involved in this pastry, more than anything else I've tried, so it was the challenge that kept me going at first. Now with some technical skills and consistency under my belt, my motivation is community and opportunity. I grew up in the town of Eagle River and am now raising my own family here with my husband. It's really special and rewarding to share a skill and product with the community, as well as having the opportunity to grow a business in my hometown. I just love that our macarons are becoming part of family celebrations, local fundraisers, and fun community events!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Learning HOW to run a business is my biggest personal accomplishment. From getting licensed and permitted to following the proper state and muni regulations, which are a high priority as a cottage food business. And then there's the back-end stuff: bookkeeping and accounting, logo and product design, sourcing and procurement of supplies, the actual making of the product, storage, transport, etc. Just a lot of small details, but it's so satisfying to see all those details and efforts come together as a finished product!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Keeping up with social media and marketing! That's a challenge for me as a sole proprietor; I make 100% of my product by hand, so my time is most valuable in the kitchen. I prefer that to being online. But the truth is, I need to learn both skills. Marketing and online presence is just as crucial as having a quality product.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you have an idea that won't leave you alone, act on it! It's highly likely that if you think it's a good idea, others will think so, too!
- Put yourself and your product out there. There is no better way to gauge interest in the community than get out there and show people what you have to offer. Local farmer's markets and online marketplaces are a great way to start.
- Seek mentorship. Find someone experienced in a similar field to yours, learn about them, and ask if they'd be willing to chat!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.akmacarons.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akmacarons/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mt.magnificentmacarons/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.