We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jacqueline Filasky. Check out our conversation below.
Jacqueline, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I loved this question so much, it made me pause and reflect. Am I walking a “path,” or am I wandering one? Honestly, I think I’m exploring, following my gut forward, trying my best to listen to both my heart and my brain as I learn what it means to build and run a small business. There’s no one “right” way to do this—at least, it’s not something I was ever taught. All I know is that I can give it my best shot, and that’s enough. Whether it’s a small sale or a very large market weekend. I’m just as happy, knowing I get to share homemade joy with people, their homes, and their families. That alone makes this journey worth it. Maybe you’re walking your own “path,” or maybe you’re wandering, too. You’re welcome to hop over to ours for a moment and hang out. Because the best part of this journey? It’s chosen, not forced—and there’s so much joy in choosing the path you wander (or walk).
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone! I’m Jacqueline—(pause for effect)—the founder and baker behind Le Petit Taureau Bakery here in North Miami Beach. I’m so excited to spill a little tea about me and the bakery today! First things first: our name, “Le Petit Taureau,” means “the little bull” in French. I’ve carried that nickname since I was young, partly because I’m a Taurus and, well, maybe a tiny bit stubborn (but in a cute way). Really, the name is a nod to the strong, joyful women in my family who’ve shaped who I am. Next, let’s talk about how we bake. We don’t take shortcuts here. We care deeply about health while still loving butter as much as we dislike seed oils. It might sound confusing, but hey—moderation in everything, right? For us, the real reason we do this is the connections, smiles, and stories shared around good food. That’s what fuels us. Running a small bakery isn’t the easiest path, but it’s the most rewarding one I could walk, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now, for the exciting part: We have a dream to one day run a farm! We’re setting our sights on land, the opportunity to grow (literally), and the chance to self-sustain while baking for our community. It’s still a little ways off, but it’s a dream worth holding. In the meantime, you’ll find us popping up at local farmers markets and pop-ups, and we’re always here for your small orders when you need a sweet treat.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Okay, hear me out—I know this might sound silly, but you’re going to love it. My grandfather was a doctor, but by the time we came along, he was retired and fully living what I like to call his “Anthony Bourdain era.” My earliest memories of him are in the kitchen, moving around with confidence, pots and pans clanging, and insisting I try tuna tataki at age five. This tall, doctor-turned-foodie grandfather knew his taste buds well, and even as a kid, all I wanted was to impress him. I was in elementary school, hanging out in the library, looking up recipes (as one does), determined to find something he would love. For some reason, I settled on pudding. I wrote the recipe on a tiny piece of bright pastel pink paper, brought it over to his house one weekend, and we whipped up a batch together. Guess what happened? He loved the pudding. I don’t know (or care) if he was just being nice—it absolutely made my year. Actually, it might have made my life, because I’m still proud of it to this day. Making him something he truly enjoyed made me feel overjoyed and powerful, and it definitely kicked off my baking era. I’ve never slowed down, and to this day, I’m still gently (or not so gently) insisting people try what I make. I think that’s my earliest memory of feeling powerfully happy—and I’m still chasing that feeling, one bake at a time.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Oh boy, this question was made for me! I’m genuinely giggling in my kitchen as I read it. Now, a little warning—no sympathy needed, just understanding. I’m a burn survivor; our family home caught fire when I was 15. It was bad, and I was badly injured, but here I am, happy as a clam and grateful for every day. It hasn’t always been easy, finding confidence and understanding in the aftermath of something so heavy. You might think that going through such a tragedy would weigh a person down. Surprisingly, it’s been the opposite for me. I live every day now with gratitude, and while my burns have certainly been the “defining wounds of my life,” I wouldn’t change what I’ve endured. It’s made me a stronger woman, a stronger person, and (honestly) a stronger baker—shoutout to my lack of nerve endings for helping me handle hot trays! I have to give credit to my family and the friends I’ve met and loved along the way. I wouldn’t be the same person without my lovelies supporting me throughout this journey. If I had to sum it up, I’d say love healed my wounds. Love, and time, truly do heal all wounds.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely yes. If I’m red from blushing—yep, you got me. I have zero poker face, and everyone knows it. I try not to care too much, but I also try not to care too little. What you see publicly is about as raw and real as it gets with “Jacqueline.” Unless you wake me up super early and I’m cranky—then I don’t even know who she is! I get it, though. Sometimes, to move through the world, you have to be a cosmic chameleon or put on a mask, and that’s normal. We all have things going on in our lives that no one else sees. What matters, I think, is showing up as the most genuine version of yourself, wherever you are. It’s not fun to fake things, so I try not to. If anything, the public version of me is just a bit more outgoing than my cozy, lazy self at home.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Caring about my hair.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lepetittaureau.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lepetittaureau.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571060037183
Image Credits
Jacqueline Filasky
