Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LeeAnn Barnes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, LeeAnn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

I really don’t ask my friends or family to support my business often. I like to leave the opportunity open but without making anyone uncomfortable in feeling as though they are obligated to support me. It alleviates any awkwardness or hurt feelings because sometimes what you have to offer just simply may not suit their needs.

I’ve learned over the years that you’ll make a friend out of a customer before you’ll make a customer out of a friend.

While I do have a few friends and family that are very supportive, my biggest cheerleaders and most loyal consumers started out as customers and have become a huge part of where I am today. I am forever grateful for their continuing support in my ever changing business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is LeeAnn and I own In The Market With LeeAnn  in East Texas. I specialize charcuterie catering and I also bake fruit topped letter cakes for special occasions. When COVID kept us all at home in 2020 it changed the way food options were available to us. An idea was born. Contactless ordering and pickup of gourmet charcuterie & dessert food options that can be enjoyed with your loved ones. Something beautiful and delicious to bring smiles to the faces of the recipient during uncertain times.

As a 4th generation in the restaurant & hospitality business, it just comes naturally to me to have an interest in gourmet foods. I discovered my talent for creating edible art years ago when I would opt for something not only delicious but also beautiful and unique when attending family gatherings or gift-giving.

Food brings everyone together and I cherish that my business has grown into a full scale charcuterie event catering service. I have the privilege of being part of so many events & special moments in the lives of my community.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I began as an order only company. Everything was made to order when the client needed it. As I expanded into a commercial building, I had the idea to offer in store shopping as well. We opened our doors with fully stocked coolers and sold out the first day/weekend. We remained busy for months as a husband and wife team.

Once we hit month 3 of feeling the exhaustion, we began to reconsider the idea of having a full scale retail store. We weren’t quite ready to hire help but keeping up with the demand plus baking fruit topped cakes and catering charcuterie for events, we were stretched so thin. As parents we realized we were no longer getting any time with our kids. Our “days off” were spent shopping and restocking the store. There was nothing left to give at the end of the day and not a second of downtime.

After much consideration, I had the idea to return back to our previous business model of everything made to order. I cleared out the retail shopping area of my storefront and furnished it with beautiful sofas, chairs, decor and banquet style seating for a small gathering room to host events like baby showers, bridal showers, etc.

This business pivot was exactly what we needed at the time to regain more time, flexibility and the freedom we needed to have quality time with our children and still provide catering services and heat & eat meal delivery throughout the community.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I would say that word of mouth in a small community and client referrals are at the top of the list of how I’ve gained the majority of my new clients within the past 3 years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://inthekitchenwithleeann.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/inthemarketwithleeann?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: Https://m.facebook.com/inthekitchenwithleeannb