Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Calderon
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I launched Calderon Curations at the end of August 2020. My whole life, I’ve had a deep interest in exploring new foods, local eats and being in the kitchen. For a couple of years, I had been thinking of ways to start a home bakery or even an Instagram page to share and explore new flavors in Austin. When I realized graze boxes could be a business, there was no turning back for me. Immediately, I felt the spark to box up my love of food for everyone. I took time to practice curating boxes, find unique grazings to include, perfect my macaron baking and to get ready to share Calderon Curations with Austin. It’s been a beautiful ride of growth, challenges and the greatest joys since I started. I truly found my passion! Calderon Curations marries my love of exploring new food and flavors, creating an experience through food/drinks/hosting and an eye for design and details.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s beautiful and fun, but there’s so much planning and prep that goes on behind the scenes. You have to be prepared to work hard. As a small business owner, you are the marketing/finance/creator/delivery girl and more! When I started, I was challenged by time management and organization – I didn’t say no to anything even if it meant working through the night to get it done. I still take on a lot and want to say yes to every opportunity, but I learned to invest in tools and online platforms that will keep me organized and give me time back vs. manually tracking or notating everything. It’s also been important for me to intentionally stop and take time to invest in myself to keep my mental strength and balance.
As you know, we’re big fans of Calderon Curations. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I want my customers to know that every box is special to me and I take pride in the details for you. I want you to love your graze box and macarons and have an experience enjoying and sharing them. I offer 2 products: – Graze Boxes (3 sizes) that include fun, flavorful grazings and I try to add and highlight various local grazings. What sets my product apart is that I also include a variety of homemade grazings like macarons, candied pecans, chocolate bark, and more. Every box can be customized to your preferences as well. – French Macarons that can be customized by flavor and design. I started making macarons in 2018 and I am very proud of how consistent they are. I’m most proud of my branding because I have done it all myself and it’s a true representation of my product – quality, decadent, luxe.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am open to new content and enjoy an insightful podcast, but I truly like to learn through experience and conversation. Building relationships and understanding someone else’s perspective gives me a lot of insight on how to approach my life and business.
Pricing:
- $24 Dozen Undecorated French Macarons
- $27 Dozen Decorated French Macarons
- $55 Small Graze Box (1-2 People)
- $75 Medium Graze Box (3-5 People)
- $135 Large Graze Box (6-8 People)
Contact Info:
- Email: orders@calderoncurations.com
- Website: CalderonCurations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calderoncurations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calderon-Curations-100594808465466
- Other: https://g.page/calderon-curations?share
Image Credits
Teresa DeMitchell Debbie Romero
