We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Woodward recently and have shared our conversation below.
Leslie, appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
The most important lessons I’ve learned that shaped me as a business owner came from two distinct career paths.
First, when I lived in Orlando, FL, I worked at the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau in membership and advertising sales. This role taught me the value of listening deeply to clients’ needs, confidently walking into diverse spaces—big and small—and fostering partnerships that create meaningful communities. It was a crash course in relationship-building and understanding how to bring people and ideas together effectively.
The second pivotal experience came during my career as a chef. The kitchen was where I truly learned what it takes to execute a vision. It taught me discipline, tenacity, consistency, endurance, and the art of problem-solving under pressure. Beyond that, I developed invaluable management skills and a sense of grit that only the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of a kitchen can provide. Almost every quality essential for entrepreneurship—resilience, adaptability, focus, and leadership—I honed in the heat of the kitchen.
Together, these two roles gave me the foundation I needed to navigate the challenges of running a business, from building relationships to managing operations with precision and purpose.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Leslie Woodward, founder and CEO of Edenesque, where we create delicious, plant-based milks designed to deliver superior nutrition and exceptional performance. Our mission is simple yet profound: to nourish people and communities so they can, in turn, “Be the love” for themselves, their communities, and their local economy.
As a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, woman-owned and -led company, Edenesque is committed to advancing social justice through nourishment. Our purpose is clear: We nourish good by nourishing people.
My Journey to Edenesque
The seeds of Edenesque were planted in my childhood. Growing up, I faced significant adversity, including physical and mental abuse, domestic violence, health issues like anorexia, and struggles with self-esteem. There were times when I wasn’t sure I’d make it, and I questioned whether I had the strength to persevere.
What saved me was the love and nourishment I received from my grandmother and a visiting minister to our church, Bishop Jackie McCullough. Their unwavering support and encouragement, along with the strength I found through my church community, helped me overcome those dark times. That love not only gave me the tools to heal but inspired me to want to give back and be a light for others.
I became a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, using my culinary skills as a way to nourish others. Being a chef gave me the platform to share love and care through food. With Edenesque, I’ve taken that passion to the next level, leveraging my company to create a broader, more significant impact by nourishing and uplifting others.
About Edenesque
Edenesque products are chef-crafted, using thoughtfully sourced, high-quality ingredients—some from local farmers. Our plant-based milks deliver exceptional nutrition through a high-density formulation of key ingredients and a unique processing technique that ensures maximum flavor.
We pride ourselves on using whole ingredients without fillers, gums, preservatives, or additives. Edenesque offers the highest concentration of oats and nuts in any plant milk on the market today. Additionally, our protein and vitamin blends ensure that every carton is packed with nutrition.
What Sets Us Apart
Edenesque isn’t just about great plant-based milk; it’s about creating lasting change. Here’s what makes us unique:
Chef-Crafted Quality: Our plant milks are designed to deliver maximum flavor, nutrition, and performance while minimizing waste.
Social Impact: Every purchase supports the Edenesque Food Insecurity Initiative™, which helps increase food availability in food-insecure communities in New York State. This initiative breaks down barriers to accessing healthy food and aims to scale a replicable model nationwide.
Community Partnerships: We work with local organizations like Greater Hudson Promise, Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, Long Table Harvest, Big Dream Farm, and Sweet Water Farm to nourish communities.
Inclusive Hiring Practices: We are committed to uplifting our local communities by hiring individuals with disabilities and justice-involved team members, offering opportunities for those who need a second chance.
Our Products
Edenesque’s product lineup includes a range of oat and pistachio milks, crafted for flavor, nutrition, and versatility. Our current offerings include:
Unsweetened Oat Milk: With 5 grams of protein per serving, this milk is simple yet nutritious, with no additives or fillers and less than 1% sugar. It’s perfect for drinking, in smoothies, or for baking.
Barista Blend Oat Milk: Lightly sweetened with coconut nectar, this milk is creamy, frothy, and ideal for latte art. It’s barista-approved and perfect for coffee, tea, or by the glass.
Barista Blend Pistachio Milk: Made with a higher concentration of pistachios and cashews, this rich and creamy milk is perfect for coffee and tea or enjoyed on its own.
Our Impact
Our impact extends far beyond the products we sell. One of my proudest moments was working with Michael, a member of the Kingston Re-entry Task Force. Michael, who had just been released from prison after 25 years, asked me to give him a chance. I said yes. Today, Michael has been able to move closer to his family, is gainfully employed, and is thriving.
We also proudly collaborate with BIPOC-owned businesses and piloted the Edenesque Food Insecurity Initiative to serve communities of color, ensuring they are fed, supported, and given the resources to thrive. Our vision is to replicate this model with similar organizations across New York State.
What I Want You to Know
At Edenesque, we are committed to nourishing good through nourishing people — not just individuals but entire communities. Our products are crafted with love, care, and purpose. We aim to provide nutrition and flavor while contributing to a better world—one carton of milk at a time.
When you support Edenesque, you’re not just buying plant-based milk; you’re joining a mission to uplift, empower, and nourish people from all walks of life.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: My Journey from Manufacturing to Growth
This was a pivotal moment for me. Closing my manufacturing space was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make, even though it ultimately turned out to be the best move for the business. I had recently moved into the space and invested all my capital into wiring, equipment, and staffing, only to find myself in an unexpectedly challenging situation. The space was in far worse condition than I had anticipated—or had been led to believe.
The first lesson? Always have an inspector!
Once we were in, the issues became clear. The water was full of iron, forcing us to purchase clean water. The walk-in refrigerator kept failing, leading to the loss of thousands of dollars in product. The inefficiencies of the space made production slow—our small team of two could barely produce 100 bottles a day. With a 25-day shelf life, we couldn’t scale, capitalize on opportunities, or achieve sustainable margins.
Despite these challenges, something in me refused to give up. I made the tough—but necessary—decision to transition to a co-manufacturing model. My first stop was The Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture at Cornell University, where I sought guidance. From there, I quickly found a co-manufacturing partner in New York, and everything changed.
Now, Edenesque has hit major milestones:
Received significant investment – almost $2M.
We debuted in Whole Foods Market as part of the Whole Foods Market Leap Cohort, selected as 1 of 10 companies out of 1,700 applicants.
We have great velocity.
Our products will be in 53 Whole Foods Market locations across the Northeast.
We became the exclusive oat milk partner for Joe Coffee, supplying all 27 locations.
By March, we’ll be in hundreds of stores across the region.
We’re receiving incredible press coverage, growing a strong team, and shaping a bright future.
Looking back, this experience reinforced one of the biggest lessons of entrepreneurship: sometimes, the hardest decisions lead to the best outcomes. The key is to keep pressing forward, learning, and staying committed to the vision—because the right pivot can turn obstacles into opportunities.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Our values, mission, and vision have been the foundation of all our interactions. When you stand by your principles with intention, people feel that authenticity and naturally connect with the brand.
At Edenesque, we believe love is actionable, and we’re committed to inspiring people to “Be the Love” for themselves, their communities, and the environment. Guided by our mission to nourish good by nourishing people, we focus on delivering earth-friendly, high-quality, and nutritious foods that uplift both individuals and communities.
Our core values—Boldness, Compassion, Purpose, Trust, and Quality—are not just ideals but responsibilities we uphold every day. We strive to foster trust, deliver exceptional quality, and ensure that our success is measured not just by sales but by the positive impact we make on our customers, team, community and environment.
This alignment of purpose and action has earned the trust of our customers and built a reputation for creating products that are not only delicious but also meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.edenesque.com
- Instagram: @edenesqueplantmilks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A86936115&keywords=Edenesque&origin=ENTITY_SEARCH_HOME_HISTORY&sid=poC
