We are excited to introduce our guests on the podcast today – Larry and Maricel, the founders of Finally Vegan Macaroons. Maricel began her venture into vegan macaroons about two years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initial failures, she persevered with the support of her family, and with time, she perfected her craft. Recognizing a gap in the market, she took a leap of faith and started selling her vegan macaroons in Houston.

Maricel’s journey of turning a simple hobby into a flourishing business is truly inspiring. She leveraged Instagram to generate interest in her macaroons, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The growth of their brand prompted Larry to quit his job at a pharmacy and join the venture, introducing Texas-sized cookies to their product line.

Navigating the business world as a couple posed its unique challenges. Larry had to adjust to taking orders from Maricel, and they both had to learn how to balance their personal and professional lives. Through compromise and open communication, they found a way to ensure their business thrived. As they look towards the future, they are flexible and open to new opportunities, including possible expansion or even selling the company if the right opportunity comes along.

Discussion Highlights:

• The origin story of Finally Vegan Macaroons: Maricel’s journey from experimenting with vegan macaroons during the COVID-19 lockdown to establishing a successful business.
• The role of social media in their business growth: How Maricel used Instagram to generate interest around her macaroons and the positive response they received.
• Larry’s decision to quit his job and join the venture, expanding their product line with Texas-sized cookies.
• Balancing business growth and quality: The couple’s challenges in managing growing demand while ensuring quality and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
• The dynamics of working together as a couple: How Larry and Maricel navigate the challenges of running a business together and the importance of compromise and communication.