Today we’d like to introduce you to Eser Kucukseyhan.
Hi Eser, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a self-taught chef fueled by a strong passion, I believe that nothing can impede the path to achieving your dreams. French macarons have always held a special place in my heart, and every time I visited France, I would immerse myself in the pastry scene, savoring the delights of the renowned bakeries and cafes, studying the works of pastry masters like Pierre Herme and Laduree, and dreaming of one day starting my own macaron business. Life can be filled with competing priorities and obstacles, but I believe that when the time is right, fate will provide the opportunity to chase your passions. That’s how it happened as I found the right moment to be when I relocated to the US with my husband where I first started my online macaron business in Minnesota and in late 2020 moved my business to Atlanta, GA.
In any case, one thing I learned since then is with all the challenges you will face in this journey, you need to show resilience at all times. There will be times that you think it is not working, which is very normal. In those moments, I try to go back to my passion to refill my energy. I also learned that as you pursue your passion, you will start to recognize your talent in many areas that you have never used. I was always a good cook, especially with pastries but I never knew I had the talent in food photography or creating beautiful macaron cakes. So, the special sause is at the end to always “believe” in yourself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting an online macaron business as an immigrant with limited connections has definitely been a journey filled with its fair share of struggles. One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the unfamiliar business laws and regulations in my new country. As an immigrant, I had to spend a considerable amount of time and resources to understand and comply with the legal requirements for starting and running a business. This included obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, as well as understanding taxes and other financial regulations.
Another major challenge was the language barrier. As English was not my first language, it was difficult to communicate effectively with potential customers and suppliers. This made it harder to build relationships and establish a customer base. Additionally, it was a struggle to find funding for my business as I did not have many connections in the industry to help me secure loans or investments.
Despite these challenges, I was determined to make my business a success. I put in a lot of hard work and effort to learn about the industry and understand my target market. I also sought out resources and support from local business organizations and government agencies. This helped me to develop a strong business plan and identify potential opportunities for growth.
One of the biggest struggles was building a customer base and establishing a brand. Without connections in the industry, it was difficult to get the word out about my business and attract new customers. I had to rely on social media and online marketing to reach my target market and build a loyal customer base. Additionally, I had to work hard to create a strong brand identity for my business that would resonate with my customers.
Despite these challenges, I am proud to say that my business has been a success. I have built a loyal customer base and established a strong brand. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and I am excited to see where my business will go in the future. I believe that my struggles have taught me valuable lessons and have made me a stronger and more resilient entrepreneur. I hope that my story will inspire others to pursue their dreams, even in the face of adversity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Carousel Macarons?
We are an online bakery specialized in French Macarons. French macarons are almond flour and meringue-based sweet cookies, with a crisp exterior and a chewy but soft texture, sandwiched together with a filling. Perfect for any occasion, from birthdays and baby showers to corporate events and weddings, our macarons make for a beautiful gift to send to your loved ones or a decadent treat to enjoy for yourself.
Carousel Macarons offers a wide variety of flavors, with close to 20 options on our menu, and we are constantly adding new and exciting flavors to our selection. What sets us apart from others is our use of original European recipes, which gives our macarons a truly authentic taste that our customers say rivals even those found in Paris. But it’s not just the delicious flavors that make our macarons stand out. Our macarons are also handcrafted with care and attention to detail, with an emphasis on beautiful design, made from gluten-free, high-quality ingredients. From classic Creme Brulee to unique Strawberry Cheesecake and Cookies & Cream, our top-selling flavors are sure to delight. We also offer custom macarons, with a range of designs and decorations, from a baby shark to Nike sneakers, and themed macarons for special holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
At Carousel Macarons, we go beyond just macarons, offering a variety of delicious and visually stunning treats. One of our most popular products is our Macaron Cakes – giant macarons that come in a range of unique shapes such as initials or numbers, perfect for special occasions such as birthdays. Our macaron cakes can be customized to any design, from your favorite Marvel character to personalized initials. We decorate these cakes with a combination of beautiful flowers, macarons, and other treats to create something truly special that will be remembered by all.
We also offer a unique gift option with our macaron flower gift boxes, which feature a beautiful set of flowers and a dozen delicious macarons, all packaged inside an elegant heart-shaped box. These boxes are perfect as a special gift for any occasion. All our products can be ordered from our website, and we offer a pickup option from PREP, local delivery to many neighborhoods around Atlanta, and nationwide shipping to any address in the United States.
At Carousel Macarons, we take immense pride in our brand, not only for crafting the most beautiful and delectable macarons on the market but also for our dedication to providing exceptional customer service. Our commitment to excellence allows us to consistently meet, and often surpass, the expectations of our customers, even as a small business. We infuse passion into each and every order we receive, and consider ourselves an integral part of our customers’ special events, whether it be through our macarons or cakes. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our customers and their guests leave with fond memories of the sweet moments shared over our macarons. We spare no effort in achieving this, as evidenced by our outstanding 5-star google reviews.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As an entrepreneur in the world of online macaron business, I firmly believe that taking calculated risks is essential for growth and success. At Carousel Macarons, we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of our customers and stay ahead of the competition. However, it’s important to note that risk-taking doesn’t mean recklessly diving headfirst into unknown territory. Before making any big decisions, we thoroughly analyze the market, gather feedback from our customers, and closely study the actions of our competitors. This enables us to make informed choices and weigh the potential rewards against the potential risks. That being said, being an entrepreneur often means stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things, even if there is a chance of failure. It’s important to remember that failure is not the end, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. At Carousel Macarons, we embrace this mindset and are always willing to take risks in pursuit of our goals. We believe that with determination, passion, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes, the rewards will ultimately be well worth the risk. In a nutshell, taking risks is a fundamental aspect of being an entrepreneur. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential for growth and success.
At Carousel Macarons, we’re always pushing ourselves to be better, to try new things, and to never be afraid of taking risks. Because it’s through taking risks that we can achieve the greatest rewards. One of the biggest risks we’ve taken was the decision to relocate our operation from Minnesota to Atlanta and expand our shipping nationwide. This move was a huge leap of faith for us, but we knew it was necessary in order to reach a wider customer base and position our brand in the Southeast. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we knew that the potential rewards were worth it. And we were right. The move paid off in a big way, as our sales tripled in our first year of operation in Atlanta. The exposure we’ve gained to a new and diverse customer base has been truly invaluable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carouselmacarons.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carouselmacarons/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarouselMacarons/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carousel-macarons/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/carouselmacarons/
Image Credits:
Except for 2 photos all remaining photos are owned/taken by Carousel Macarons. Credits for the 2 photos (Photo#1: pink macarons in the glass, Photo#2: Red heart macarons) should go to: Aaron Kessler
