We were lucky to catch up with Julien recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Julien, thanks for joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
Getting my first client was all about hustle and simplicity. I didn’t have a network, funding, or connections — just a product I believed in. I knew small coffee shops were my ideal customers, so I built a list of every one in Colorado using Google and started with those closest to me.
I boxed up samples of my pastries, walked into the first coffee shop, and asked to speak with the owner. He happened to be there and gave me a few minutes. He tasted the product, was impressed, and placed an order within days. That moment became the foundation of everything I’ve built since — proof that showing up, even with nothing but your product and determination, can be enough to start
Julien, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started working in the food industry at 17 in France, where I earned my pastry degree before moving to the U.S. at 21 with two suitcases, no English, and a determination to succeed. I successfully became Executive Pastry Chef and kept working my way up..
In 2016, I founded La Belle® with a mission to blend traditional French pastry craftsmanship with scalable, modern systems. What began as a small operation grew into a full-scale business serving over 120 wholesale partners and operating two retail locations. In 2025, we became a group by acquiring a second bakery brand.
As CEO, my role is to set the vision, build systems that empower our teams, and ensure we never compromise our values. My focus is on creating opportunity, guiding growth, and making sure our culture stays strong as we expand.
Everything we offer is made from scratch, using true French methods — no shortcuts, no compromise.
From buttery croissants to seasonal creations, our ready-to-serve pastries help businesses while keeping quality front and center.
We also have retail locations and plan to open more across Colorado.
Staying close to the customer keeps us grounded in the reality of the craft and through these spaces, we’re able to show people what a truly good pastry should be.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Integrity
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, my business was strictly wholesale. Overnight, every client paused their orders and like so many others, I could have lost everything I had built.
Giving up wasn’t an option. Instead, I opened the doors of our warehouse to the public and started selling directly to retail customers. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but it kept us alive.
That pivot not only helped us survive, it became the spark that led to our retail expansion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.labellefrenchbakery.com
- Instagram: @labellefrenchbakery & @julienrenaut
- Facebook: @labellefrenchbakery
- Linkedin: @labellefrenchbakery & @julienrenaut
