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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

September 26, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

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LIVE from the GNFCC Grand Opening Celebration: Lisa Amundsen, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 525)

Lisa Amundsen is the owner of Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta, with locations at North Point Mall and at Avalon. She joined host John Ray at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Grand Opening Celebration to talk about the delicious handmade macarons and other French pastries she and her team offer. Lisa also discussed the rewards of being involved in GNFCC, the Chamber’s Women INfluencing Business committee and events, and more.

This show was originally broadcast live from the Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting of the new offices of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce at the 10000 Building at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia, on August 18, 2022.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Lisa Amundsen, Owner, Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta

Today’s consumers are eager to engage with their food in new, creative ways. They want flavor and texture, quality, and presentation; they are more health conscience. Each of Le Macaron’s signature pastries is handcrafted.

Their true French macaron is made with the finest gluten-free ingredients, no preservatives, and is about 80 calories each. Beyond the signature macarons, their menu includes gourmet chocolates, French gelato, classic French pastries, European-style beverages, and homemade candies. You will want to come back often to experience their limited-time seasonal macaron flavors and fresh seasonal offerings.

Le Macaron French Pastries Alpharetta has two locations: one at North Point Mall and one at Avalon.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Lisa Amundsen LinkedIn

Questions and Topics in the Interview:

About Le Macaron French Pastries
Products and locations
Lisa’s involvement with GNFCC
Women Influencing Business

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked-from-scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Lutunji Abram, Lutunji’s Palate

November 1, 2021 by John Ray

Minneapolis St. Paul Business Radio

Lutunji Abram, Lutunji's Palate

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Lutunji Abram, Lutunji’s Palate (Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Radio, Episode 22)

Lutunji Abram, CEO of Lutunji’s Palate and founder of Voices for Effective Change, has a passion for infusing her business with purpose. As an entrepreneur and accomplished pastry chef, the sales of her gourmet desserts support youth and adults in the community with work experiences and mentorship, enabling them to thrive. She and host John Ray discussed her work, her journey, the bakery, and much more. Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Radio is produced virtually by the Minneapolis St. Paul studio of Business RadioX®.

Lutunji’s Palate

Lutunji’s Palate is a social enterprise fueled by love and built with purpose. Back in 2018, Lutunji Abram, M.A. met with the Pastor of a historic church in South Minneapolis to discuss the Charter School for teen parents she developed in partnership with her organization, Voices of Effective Change. Lutunji blessed him with her signature peach cobbler as a sign of respect and gratitude. He took one bite, and Lutunji’s Palate was born.

He loved it so much he insisted she use their commercial kitchen to create a line of gourmet desserts and that his team would provide all the support she needed. This was the divine order manifested. In that powerful moment, Lutunji knew that her passion for delicious treats, and the joy they bring, would be the catalyst for her mission to bring effective change to our community.

Every scrumptious bite of Lutunji’s Palate Gourmet Cakes, Cobblers and More, contributes to youth development, teen parental support, and transition assistance for Men returning to society from incarceration, providing the space, education, resources and experience they need to grow and thrive. Click here to learn more about Voices of Effective Change.

Lutunji’s Palate Gourmet desserts are available at Lunds & Byerly’s (Downtown, Northeast, Uptown, Nokomis and Golden Valley) North Market, Minneapolis Farmers Market Annex, Seasoned Specialty Market, Handsome Hog, and Pimento Kitchen. Brick and mortar bakery and cafe coming first quarter of 2022.

Lutunji’s Palate: built with purpose, fortified with love.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Lutunji Abram, President & CEO, Lutunji’s Palate and Founder of Voices of Effective Change, Inc.

Lutunji Abram is CEO and Founder of Voices of Effective Change, Inc. (a community advocacy and Public Relations company) with the mission to send an effective voice to the masses, stand with young children and their parents using the tools of personal empowerment and community development. She is a gourmet Pastry Chef and, the founder of Lutunji’s Palate offering her famous Harriet’s Escape Buttery Butter and Vegan Peach Cobbler layered with organic coconut oil crust and other gourmet goodies.

Lutunji is a renaissance artist and socially impassioned diversity and inclusion community activist with an eclectic repertoire of works spanning the spectrums of theater, music, education, and civic engagement. Lutunji is armed with a B.A. in Community Development and a minor in Performing Arts Management from Metropolitan State University, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University, and a DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative fellowship alumnus.

Her skillful blend of arts, education, and advocacy has a far-reaching impact on varying fronts including being a John Lennon Songwriting finalist, an opening act for the late Tupac Shakur, The Goodie Mob, and others, volunteer teaching of poetry to elementary through high school-aged students at Metropolitan State University; penning the theme poem for the 2014 and 2015 City of Minneapolis Peace ceremonies, adjunct professor, and tireless contributions as a former legislative aide and recurring political campaign volunteer.

Lutunji is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Zeta Zeta Chapter, and proud mother of one son, Aaron Lamar Abram, Esq.

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

Lutunji’s Palate journey
How did Lutunji’s Palate come about?
What is the mission of Lutunji’s Palate?
What’s happening right now?
How is Lutunji’s Palate evolving as you open your facility?
How can someone get involved?

Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and produced virtually from the Minneapolis St. Paul studio of Business RadioX® . You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Michael Williams with Bank of America, Charlotte Geletka with Silver Penny Financial and Lisa and Dave Amundsen with Le Macaron

August 27, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Michael Williams with Bank of America, Charlotte Geletka with Silver Penny Financial and Lisa and Dave Amundsen with Le Macaron

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Michael Williams joined the Bank of America family in July of 2011 in the role of Consumer Market Manager. Michael currently leads the Greater Atlanta Small Business Consultant group.

Michael is responsible for the performance of 27 small business specialist, focus on assiting small business owners achieve their business and life priorities by providing exceptional advise and making our full team of specialist accessible. He strives to identify ways to reduce complexity and provide a seamless experience for the client, taking into account the interests of our clients when considering decisions and solutions.

Michael also works closely with key partners in all lines of business to deliver top-notch service to customers. Through coaching Michael consistently has lead his teams to client experience success. While also managing the safety and soundness of our business, compliance and adherence to policies and procedures by means of sales integrity and ethics.

Michael and his family have a passion for volunteering and supporting organizations such as Autism Speaks, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Girl Scouts of America,.
Michael defines success by his ability to make himself available to all team members as a sounding board as well as mentors, coaches and to provide developmental suggestions.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

Charlotte Geletka is the managing partner at Silver Penny Financial Planning and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor ®. As an experienced investment advisor, Charlotte is more of a financial coach than anything else, committed to helping her clients get to a point where they can stop worrying about their financial future. She works hard with them to simplify their financial lives, get their financial houses in order, and create a clear path to their retirement goals—whether retirement is right around the corner or in the distant the future.

Charlotte graduated Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina State University. She is active on the local area committee for Young Life Atlanta Project. Charlotte gives financial literacy education talks for youth through the Kennrod Organization and local schools. She is passionate about serving her local community and financially empowering females.

Charlotte was honored to be named to Investment News’ 40 Under 40 class of 2019. This award highlights young talent in the financial advice industry and recognizes their accomplishments, contributions to the industry, leadership, and promise for the future. She is a member of the Morningstar Advisory Board. She was awarded the 2018 Circle of Excellence award by Women in Financial Services. She is proud to be a member of the Investment News Women Adviser Summit’s 2019 advisory board. She is a 2018 Atlanta Five Star Wealth Manager and recipient of the 2017 Lincoln Southeast Advisor of Now award. Charlotte also serves on the ABS Advisory Council at Lincoln Financial Advisors.

Charlotte holds the following licenses and professional designations: Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor from the College of Financial Planning, Investment Advisor Representative (series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam), Series 7 Securities Representative Exam. Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63), Life, Health, and Annuity Insurance Agent.

Connect with Charlotte on Linkedin.

Le Macaron was founded in 2009 by mother-daughter duo Rosalie and Audrey Guillem to bring a taste of France to America, and to fill a gap in the pastry segment as the first concept to focus on the macaron. The first store opened in Sarasota, Florida, drawing in customers from as far as three hours away to get a taste of the airy but decadent, very Instagrammable French treat.

Le Macaron began franchising in 2012, and now has more than 50 locations across 11 states. In addition to its signature macaron, stores sell gelato, eclairs, napoleons, pies, cakes, croissants and fine chocolates, made with the finest French ingredients, as well as coffee, tea and more. As an industry leader with plenty of room to grow, Le Macaron plans to expand its national footprint through its commitment to authenticity and a willingness to adapt to evolving customer preferences.

With a degree in Hospitality Management from Ohio State University, Lisa Amundsen of Alpharetta had worked in the hotel business for over 20 years. Now, she has made the switch to restaurant management and is bringing two Le Macaron locations to the metro-Atlanta area, along with her husband Dave Amundsen.

Lisa had been with HelmsBriscoe for almost 16 years. They are a third party site-selection company, so she got to work with hoteliers and meeting planners every day. She is excited to use her connections in a new way. Lisa and Dave have lived in the Alpharetta area for over 15 years, where they now raise their two songs, ages 13 and 18. Lisa and Dave have volunteered any many school and charity events, in addition to attending their youngest son’s soccer tournaments.

When Dave was unexpectedly laid off from his job in corporate finance after more than 20 years, outplacement services brought him to a franchise consultant. Business ownership was something the husband-and-wife team had considered in the past, but franchising had never occurred to them. “The consultant approached me with four or five different ideas based on our experience and future goals and at the end of the day, Le Macaron shone brightly to us,” said Dave Amundsen. “We really liked what we heard when we talked to the franchisor and other franchisees.“

Follow Le Macaron on Facebook and Instagram.