Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Nichols.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started seriously baking around 2018, but didn’t discover macarons until about 2021. I instantly fell in love with these ridiculously complicated French cookies and made it my mission to master them. I became determined that I would make high quality macarons as a home baker. Throughout my baking journey, I realized that my mental health issues I deal with (anxiety, depression, grief) were all going quiet. I found a peace in this creative outlet that slowly started to heal me.
After a couple of years of baking macarons for family and friends, and countless recommendations that I sell them professionally, I finally filled my first order in 2023. I started my cottage bakery business, MacaronlyFans, that exclusively sells deluxe macarons. I instantly had so many orders that I had to figure out how to be a business owner and baker all on my own. After a brief period of success, I became pregnant with my daughter and was very sick during pregnancy. I had to completely put baking on hold. Shortly after her followed my son, which I was also sick during pregnancy for.
Finally my son turned 1 this past July and I officially started baking again. Macarons are very picky cookies so I had to relearn how to make them in a new state and kitchen. All while having a 2.5 and 1 year old at home with me since I am a stay at home mom.
I joined my local farmers market, Olde Towne Farmers Market and started selling on certain Saturdays a month. The response from my community has been amazing! I rotate flavors monthly or seasonally and you can pre-order on my instagram and facebook to pick up at the farmers market or other events I pop up at.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Macarons are extremely complicated cookies. Anytime you ask someone who makes macarons “what can go wrong?” The answer is EVERYTHING. Over 5 degrees to cold? ruined. Over mix your batter by 3 folds? cracked shells. Look at them funny? stick to the mat.
The biggest hiccup in my business was becoming pregnant with my children, how sick I was throughout those pregnancies, and my husband being deployed through parts of our lives. I am a Navy wife and stay at home mom. So adding business owner to that has been difficult to juggle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a stay at home mom and military wife owned cottage bakery business that specializes in deluxe macarons. I am known for a wide range of delicious rotating flavors offered monthly and seasonally on my menu. You can find me at my local farmers market and pop ups around the Hampton Roads Area, all of which I advertise on my instagram and facebook. I absolutely love getting to meet my customers in person and do occasionally take personal orders for parties. Honestly what I am most proud of brand wise – Is my business name. It still makes me giggle. Anytime someone sees my name and laughs it brings a huge smile to my face, it never gets old.
At every market, I offer macarons packaged and sold individually, pre-made 6 packs with 1 of each flavor and pre-made 12 packs with 2 of each flavor. I also do pre-orders through my instagram and facebook that I will have packaged and ready for pick up at my local events. This way you can build your own box of flavors. Have a favorite flavor? You can order 12 of just that!! They’re great to eat on your own at home or bring to a party as a gift.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Prioritizing and multitasking. Being a stay at home mom of 2 I’ve had to learn how to be mom and baker all within the same day. My business is like my 3rd small child at the moment I’m trying to raise right along side my 2 wonderful human children.
Pricing:
- $3.00 / individual
- $18 / 6 pack
- $36 / 12 pack
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macaronly.fans?rpxt=Nmo3NXA2aHVrZ2ly&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4GPmSakM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
