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.