Laura Mack
33 | lu.lu ice cream | Owner & Ice Cream Maven
Residence: Vergennes
Career highlight(s): The best part of my career is being able to do something I love everyday. It has been a rollercoaster owning a business and especially after this past year – but that fact that I get to make ice cream, support the community and run a successful business is even more than I could have asked for, and truly a highlight.
Community Involvement: I have the pleasure of being involved in the local community, assisting with the local downtown partnership as well as being a board member at the local library.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I am a Vermonter born and raised; I left for a while but couldn’t help being pulled back to the Green Mountains. The opportunities here are unlike any other state. I honestly would not be where I am in my life without the support that the small communities of Vermont afford.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is getting to make ice cream everyday. Making ice cream and running lu.lu is the most zen thing I could ever do. It brings me nothing but joy. Plus, connecting with people is an added bonus.
Most inspiring mentor and why: I have been beyond fortunate to have an army of supporters and mentors. Each ready to help at all times. I don’t have just one and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It truly takes a village; and I am lucky to have a great one!
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is be yourself and be happy – which is what I strive to do everyday.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Unfortunately, I’m an open book…which means I don’t have many secrets or hidden facts.
I will say I had an unusual childhood – growing up in the kitchen of my parent’s restaurant. In middle school I worked on a goat farm and assisted with the kidding season. After college I did this crazy program called AmeriCorps NCCC. The program helped with disaster recovery, but for one of our special projects I walked across the state of CT … dressed as a revolutionary solider to bring awareness to the historic trail.
What three words best describe you: Enthusiastic outgoing and passionate. Determined and just slightly-awkward (it’s hard to pick just 3!)
Favorite Vermont escape: I like to go with my family and friends to small spots around the state and discover new places. Also equipped with a deck of cards – I love nothing more than hanging with friends, with a perfect Vermont backdrop, all while being slightly competitive with a card game.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is anything that involves boardgames. Nothing brings me more joy that playing a game with friends or family.
Favorite Super Hero and why: It may sound corny but my mother is definitely my favorite Super Hero. She has been an inspiration for me, my entire life, but it wasn’t until I starting owning my business that I truly understand how amazing she is. She ran a restaurant, raised me and my sister and still had time to give back to the community.
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is Instagram for the photos, Tik Tok for the cute dog videos.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: I have the most fun out with my mom so I’d always want to have a Vermont beverage with her. But if I was really dreaming I would love to grab a drink, and hopefully become friends with these inspirational women:
— Michelle Obama to have a heartfelt conversation and learn some awesome dance moves.
— Jeni Britton Bauer to learn from her business experience and talk all things ice cream.
— Malala Yousafzai to talk about the future of women and hear her experiences.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: I would spread the love to all the amazing programs that help keep Vermont and specifically Vergennes alive – Vergennes Partnership, Boys & Girls Club and the Bixby Library. And of course being an owner of an ice cream store I would make sure to fund the dairy programs in Vermont.
What is the one song on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend? I have a pretty embarrassing playlist generally, but I guess the most embarrassing is that I still love Hanson. And a definitely obsessed with Taylor Swift. If we go off of Spotify my most played song is Rain by Ben Platt…
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I’d like to open more lu.lu locations and see our pints all over the nation. If I could be still making ice cream and running a successful shop I will be beyond happy.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I’d like to open more lu.lu locations and see our pints all over the nation.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? Throughout the pandemic I have relied on the support from the community and in return I have joined more organizations in order to give back.
Some of community service has been joining community boards and being involved with keeping the organization thriving; while others have been more hands on.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? At the beginning of the pandemic I was working two jobs; one being owning lu.lu ice cream and the other being a server/general manager of my parents restaurant, Mary’s at Baldwin Creek. Now I work solely at lu.lu, but I continue to be busy and to be pushed everyday. I am fortunate to now allow full concentration on my goals for lu.lu. It is bittersweet to no longer be a part of my former restaurant life but COVID-19 allowed me to step out on my own.