Today, direction Winter Garden, where we go to meet Stéphan and Véronique, the happy owners of a very French bakery, “Le Petit Paris”. And after only three years in Florida, entrepreneurs are already looking further ahead.
This project exceeded all their expectations. Punctuated by ups and downs, ease and difficulty, this bakery project, their project, is about to grow. In any case, one thing is certain, the couple, straight from a small French village, is not ready to give up to pursue their American dream. To find out a little more about their background, their vision and their future projects – because there isn’t just one – Le Petit Journal Orlando had the chance to meet them. Here is their story.
Le Petit Journal: Tell us a bit about yourself
Stephan: I have been a pastry baker since the age of 15 (over 30 now), but I have had a passion for baking since my childhood (I went to help the baker in my village during my school holidays). I obtained the title of master craftsman in 2017. My wife Véronique and I had two bakeries in France, which we sold to come here to Florida. We have 3 children who followed us on this adventure, (Corentin 19 years old, Laëtitia 18 years old and Luke 6 years old)
Arriving in the USA in May 2019, only 8 months before Covid-19, could have been risky for our entrepreneurs. Fortunately, they chose Florida, a state which suffered much less from the health crisis, unlike New York for example. But besides, besides the sun all year round, why did you finally choose Florida?
Their heart beat between South Carolina and Florida… Eventually, luck would have Florida come to them first “to see a macaroon franchise (a project that didn’t come to fruition) that we really loved. Then our research turned only to Florida. Winter Garden was also partly due to chance, but it’s mostly the fact that there weren’t many bakeries for sale which brought us to Winter Garden, we are lucky because it’s a really nice town close to Orlando.
A carefully considered project for Véronique and Stéphan
It must also be said that, if this project held up during the crisis, and today shows admirable strength, it is because it was “maturely thought out and prepared”. Indeed, the expatriation of the small family did not happen on a whim. After making the decision to move abroad, 4 years of research and implementation went by. A long path punctuated by envy and doubts.
Fortunately, to support them in this new life, Stéphan and Véronique were accompanied by the best, the team of Lens USA, led with professionalism by Sylvain Perret: “they helped us to buy our bakery, but also a lot of personal things like opening a bank account, obtaining the visa, or renting our house. We thank them very much for all this.”
Does Le Petit Paris live up to their initial expectations?
After more than three years at the head of their French bakery, Le Petit Paris, Stéphan and Véronique are very proud of the result. And for good reason, in addition to meeting their expectations, it now greatly exceeds their ambitions: “we have already exceeded our 5-year forecast.” The perfect opportunity to think even bigger, right?
Towards a new establishment by the end of 2022…
It’s a big YES. Following this great success for their first French bakery in Florida, why not try the experience a second time? The two entrepreneurs did not ask themselves the question twice: “We are planning to open our second bakery on the east side of Orlando.”
A new adventure for which the French are calling on other French people, “Readers can follow us on our social networks (facebook and instagram: lepetitpariswg) and come and discover our products at the bakery or on the various markets that we do.” But with pleasure, of course!
Final word: What would you say to French bakers, pastry chefs, chocolatiers… who wish to come to the USA?
“Our advice for those who would like to take the plunge and to anticipate the departure well and to surround themselves with good advisers for all the administrative procedures and the purchase of business.”