Meet Charles Lemons IV, Emma Fontenot, and Lisa Lemons of Mother & Son’s Praline Co. in League City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Lemons IV, Emma Fontenot, and Lisa Lemons.

Charles, Emma, and Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My mom, a.k.a. Ms. Emma started making pralines about twelve (12) years ago after she and her siblings decided to have a little cooking competition. She assures us that she won. And while we weren’t there to judge, the continued popularity and demand for her pralines make us believe she did. She passed her recipe on to her son (Charles), who also shares her love for cooking. Ms. Emma was determined to retire her apron.

But after myself and my fiance at the time, Lisa requested her pralines as a wedding favor for our guests, she went back into the kitchen to prepare pralines for almost 200 guests. Once the wedding excitement settled down, my wife and I were still getting rave reviews on the pralines.

Not long after, we convinced her to go into business and Mother & Son’s Praline Co. was born.  Now, here we are, sharing a family favorite with the masses.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As it’s the case with many start-up businesses we experience challenges. Specifically, trying to figure out what roles work best for our small team at each stage of business we’re in. We sometimes find it challenging to define rolls; fund our operation out of our own pocket; as well as learn how to successfully a manage a food based business. Also, we know that we have several competitors and depending on who you are pralines may not be a common type of treatment. So, establishing our place in the market and in the mind of consumers is also a goal we are constantly working on. We pride ourselves in making sure product is not only satisfying to the tastebud but also very appealing to the eye. So, we try to create a memorable experience in each piece.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Mother & Son’s Praline Co. story. Tell us more about it.
Our specialty is pecan pralines. Our pralines are known for its smooth creamy, but firm texture. One of our best compliments thus far was this: “You almost don’t even need teeth to eat them”! Lol!

If we had to give one thing that we are most proud of, it would be our co-owner, Ms. Emma Fontenot. Her story is inspiring. She has overcome many obstacles to become the woman she is. She is well known for her loving personality and giving spirit. Although she is not generally experienced in starting or running a business, she was willing to venture into entrepreneurship which is completely foreign to her.

The thing that sets us apart from other praline companies is the real relationship between a mother and son. We genuinely love each other and that is what we share in our pralines and with each of our customers.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We don’t give credit to luck. For us, it is our deep-rooted faith, willingness to try, and great product. Our steps are ordered, they have always been ordered, and we believe they will continue to be ordered both in life and in business.

Pricing:

• the Non-Believer (1) $3
• the Convinced (3) $9
• the Believer (6) $18
• the Follower (9) $27
• the Faithful (12) $30
• the Committed (24) $55
• the Overflow (48) $132
• Specialty Orders $$$
• Orders of 60 or more $$$

Contact Info:

• Website: www.motherandsonspralineco.com
• Phone: 409-292-6264
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instragram.com/motherandsonspralineco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/motherandsonspralineco

Image Credit:
Lisa Lemons

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