Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Leslie. He and his team share their story with us below:
Marcus Leslie Sr. is a native of Detroit who has loved baking since he was a child. Marcus would often experiment by making homemade cookies and his family were his test subjects. Marcus remembers his father making homemade desserts like peach cobblers and birthday cakes for him and his four sisters. Marcus’s father and mother encouraged him to always follow his dreams.
Although he had a passion for baking as a child, he only discovered his passion for making cheesecakes after attending a friend’s dinner party where homemade cheesecake was served. Having never considered the fact that the traditionally chilled dessert must first be baked like any other cake, Leslie became fascinated with baking cheesecakes of his own – first serving them at get-togethers at his home then making them for friends and eventually transitioning the hobby into a fledgling business.
After developing his cheesecake recipes over 10 years from his home, Leslie began renting space in Lansing’s Allen Neighborhood Center incubator kitchens to keep up with the demands of his growing business, Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes. The Center’s kitchens offer potential food-industry entrepreneurs the chance to explore the culinary business without having to invest in the industrial equipment necessary to make customer-ready products and quantities.
Leslie partnered with the Center to get licensed and to begin building relationships with other makers in the community, even mentoring a young man interested in being an entrepreneur one day.
In July of 2020, Leslie won the pitch contest sponsored by LEAP. Leslie’s goal was to move from primarily a direct sell-to-customer business to a wholesale business. Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes are now available in Meijer’s Capital City Market in Lansing, MI and Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak, MI, and Tom’s Food Center in Okemos, MI. with many more to come soon!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The longer you live on this earth, the more you will realize there will always be obstacles along the way. Your attitude during difficult times is what will help you get through the struggles. Yes, I’ve had some struggles, but I decided a long time ago there’s a lesson to be learned in everything I do. This kind of thinking is a big part of why I never quit.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Well, it’s in the name 😄, I specialize in making the best cheesecake you have ever had. I love cheesecake and I love people, and although it sounds cheesy (pun intended lol) my goal is to put a smile on your face and in your belly with every bite! What I am the most proud of brand-wise is that I don’t have customers but extended family members. I always tell my team to treat customers like your favorite family member. As we continue to grow, we want everyone to know that our goal is to serve everyone with excellence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
mrlesliescheesecakes.com - Facebook: https://m.facebook.
com/MrLesliesCheesecakes/?ref= bookmarks - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ mrlesliescheesecakes/
