Today we’d like to introduce you to Che’ Houston.
Che’, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I always like to say it started back in the day with my easy- bake-oven but I actually started this journey 26 years ago when I learned how to decorate cakes at a local supermarket and fell in love. I eventually ended up going to culinary school to educate myself in the world of desserts. I started making cakes as a hobby. My hobby had allowed me to serve local news anchors, celebrities, travel all the way to the Princeton campus for a wedding and my local communities. I was living a good life with hopes and dreams of owning a bakery to only lose everything. It was a long period of time in my life I was homeless, jobless and had given up on myself, but it was something inside of me that would not let me throw in the towel. I knew that this was not the life my parents intended for me to live. I picked myself up sought out resources such a therapy, the church, self-help literature and God to help me become the woman I was destined to be.
After many jobs and ten years of trying different creative avenues, geographical changes, relationships, I finally pulled it together and made a decision I am going to push through all the past hurts and pains and become a successful business owner and the best me I can be. In 2018, I wanted to try the bakery business so I narrowed the world of desserts down to one specific creation, the French macaron. I began to research and perfecting the perfect macaron and flavorful fillings that would still show my southern roots. In 2019 I entered a contest by writing “why I deserve a seat at the table,” and I won the trip to Miami for the black girl making millions business conference. This catapulted me into being a phenomenal woman-owned business. I spent two years branding, perfecting, preparing with the support of a business coach and a personal growth coach. I launched Che’Rene’ Macarons and more “French Macarons with Southern Finesse” in August of 2020 with a Virtual Grand Opening!!! I ship nationwide and deliver in Atlanta. I can not wait to have a Brick and Mortar I can already taste it. It may not always be a flavorful day but it is so worth that taste of indulgence I proudly give every macaron.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, the road became rough when the pandemic hit. Everything I had been working on came to a slow crawl. Trying to purchase a refrigerator and a freezer was insane because every store had back-ordered. People were in a panic and bought up all the refrigerators and freezers. I was stressed because I could not move forward without these two items. My packaging was delayed because employees at the company were getting sick, which slowed down production. Everything was expensive and I had to save, save, save to even put down a deposit for my website and almost half of my paycheck every two weeks went to purchasing items for the start of the business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have had many, many jobs. I started working in call center/telemarketing jobs in the late ’80s and because I have the gift of the gab, I was really good. In the 90’s I went into Retail Management (grocery and clothing), Real Estate and even became a Make-up artist for a few cosmetic lines. I was into whatever caught my attention at the time and my attention span was short (LOL). I have always been a creative person with an infectious personality and smile so with all my jobs, I was always the designated event planner/organizer. I was fantastic at selling any product and would always win all contests on the table. I would come home with gifts all the time and my son would say, ” Mommy, you win all the prizes”.
In my professional career now, I am on the Administrative team that serves our Veterans who have substance abuse/mental health disorders. I play a small part but it’s a big deal for me. This is very dear to me personally because I am a wife of a veteran. Within my passion, I specialize in baking French macarons and within my Purpose, I serve people. I always say, “I am a vessel, not just that Chic” Over the years I started noticing how God was using me in other people’s lives over and over again. I would have the impression that a person was in my life for a personal relationship but later to realize when I meet them they were on the verge of suicide and I was the rainbow of color they needed or to find out in the end, I was used to leading someone to the church for healing or I was used to introducing someone to their soul mate, the list goes on and on. I am most known for baking cakes and poetry. As I stated, I have been baking cakes for 26 years and I was a poet on the Atlanta scene for many, many years. What I am most proud of being able to let go of my past and live in my truth and embrace Che’. I love this question: What sets me apart from others? I own who I am, I tap into what moves me, I speak from the heart and oh very transparent. I have that energy that is like a magnet inside me.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was an only child who wanted to do everything! From drawing, making candies, writing poetry, playing the saxophone, doing hair, nails, make clothes and performing in front of people. I was a talker, which landed me in the principles office a lot and I loved making people laugh. I was a creative attention seeker with a caring spirit, all while having some self-esteem issues but the attention wouldn’t let me be shy. Hey! I’m a Gemini!
Pricing:
- $32.00 per dozen box of macarons
Contact Info:
- Email: cherenemacarons@gmail.com
- Website: www.cherenemacarons.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherenemacarons
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/chereneonfb
