Ep 5. Macaron Queen

In season 7 episode 5 of The Profit, entitled "Macaron Queen," entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis sets out to help a small business owner struggling to make her bakery profitable. The owner, Anwar, runs a macaron bakery in Miami with her husband, but despite their hard work, they haven't been able to turn a profit.

Marcus first meets with Anwar and her husband to get a sense of their business and the challenges they face. He quickly discovers that the couple has spread themselves too thin, offering a broad range of bakery goods without specialized training in all of them. Marcus advises them to focus on what they excel at – making macarons – and eliminate the less profitable products from their offerings.

Marcus also notes that Anwar's pricing strategy is flawed: she charges too little for her macarons and too much for other items. He encourages her to raise the price of her macarons and lower the prices for her other baked goods. He also suggests that they streamline their production process to cut costs and increase efficiency.

To further increase the bakery's profitability, Marcus offers to invest in the business in exchange for a portion of ownership. Anwar and her husband are hesitant to give up control, but Marcus convinces them that his expertise and capital can help them grow their business.

With Marcus's help, the bakery makes several changes to its operations. They create a new, simplified menu featuring only their most popular macaron flavors and lower-priced items. They also adjust their pricing strategy based on Marcus's recommendations, and they revamp their kitchen to make it more efficient.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the challenges of running a small business, from product development to the struggles of hiring and retaining employees. Anwar and her husband face obstacles along the way, including a major issue with their packaging, but with Marcus's guidance, they are able to find solutions and keep pushing forward.

In the end, Marcus's investment pays off: the bakery's sales increase significantly, and Anwar and her husband are hopeful for the future. The episode offers an inspiring look at the power of hard work, determination, and the right mentorship in transforming a struggling business into a thriving one.