Check Out Nour Dabbagh’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nour Dabbagh.

Hi Nour, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in high school. My plan then and for the next five years was simple: graduate college with an Accounting Degree, and open a bakery. If the bakery did not succeed, I would have something stable to fall back on. This was the only way I could make my dad agree to let me open a bakery. In high school, I found myself in the kitchen every weekend baking for my family and friends. At the same time, as a freshman, I joined the photography club – started by taking photos of everything around me – landscapes, nature, random objects in my home, and even the baked goods I made every weekend.

When I started sharing photos on Facebook, it helped with exposure and caught a few people’s attention. It wasn’t until my friend asked me to take her and her fiance’s photos at the park that I discovered this is something I can do as a business but for fun. My friend mentioned that I had captured such a “perfect moment” between her and her fiance. In October of 2015, Perfect Moments Photography was born.

Honestly, my original plan to open a bakery after college wasn’t on my mind anymore.

My photography was growing to the point where I was shooting weddings and traveling out of town. I was enjoying this side hobby, content with my work. It slowly started to change in 2020 because of the pandemic – no one was booking shoots anymore. I had more time to myself; I started watching baking shows and tried my hand at making macarons, a french pastry. I turned baking macarons into a new business idea – to one day launch a luxury macaron market and pop-up shop in the Triangle (coming soon 2022). I wasn’t reminded of my original goal after college until I was asked to speak at an event earlier this year.

That’s how Le Petit Amour was born in 2020. Le Petit Amour (Little Love) specializes in luxury macarons and will run as a market and pop-up shop; no storefront yet! You’ll find flavors like hazelnut and earl grey. The goal is to offer these macarons to local cafes in the Triangle.

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. If it were an easy road, I would be able to offer you macarons right now! Unfortunately, it has not been easy. Launching a food business is tricky, and I have learned there are many regulations and certifications needed to start.

I created an Instagram account and shared my macarons with neighbors, coworkers, and anyone interested in taste testing. I wanted to take this to the next step, and that was to sell them. The only way I could do this was to rent out a commercial kitchen. I found one that I liked, they had everything I needed, and I felt safe there, BUT they put me on a waitlist for 1 year. Finally, in October 2021, I got to test bake in the kitchen. I used it for 4 months with zero positive results. I decided in February 2022 to stop renting out that space. So after a year and a half, the hunt for another commercial kitchen continued. I asked many bakeries in the area and other local food entrepreneurs and still could not find a space that would work for me and be within budget.

Today, I can finally say I am one step closer to launching Le Petit Amour. I have locked in a place in the Triangle, and once I can move all my equipment in, I will be able to start the certification process.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My goal with Le Petit Amour is to create a luxury brand, and I hope to provide an exclusive product to create a sense of belonging and community. Le Petit Amour will specialize in luxury macarons. The goal is to have six luxury flavors, like chocolate hazelnut and earl grey. I am proud that I gained a loyal customer base and lucky to have local businesses support my journey.

What do you think about happiness?
Community. Having the support of people that don’t even know you mean the world. I have made many new connections since I created my Instagram account for Le Petit Amour. Being able to exchange ideas with other like-minded people helps me grow as a person, a business owner, and a creative. I have been able to befriend business owners in the Triangle; they have been supportive since the beginning and continue to follow my journey. I believe in community over competition. There are many macaron businesses in the Triangle. Instead of criticizing one another, we support and learn from each other’s experiences.

Pricing:

• Single Macarons available at cafe’s soon
• 6 Pack
• 12 Pack

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lepetitamourdesserts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lepetitamour_desserts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LePetitAmour.Desserts

Image Credits
Portrait photo of Nour: Kristen Austin | Studio ARAY