We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lenni Jenkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lenni below.

Lenni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

In late 2020 after being locked in our apartment for months during the Covid epidemic in Portland, Oregon with no end in sight, I decided it was time to make a move. We were a family of 5 including myself, my partner, and my 3 children and like the rest of the world, we were struggling to exist…mentally, physically, and emotionally. Our daily routine had gone from school, work, preparing meals and weekend adventures to becoming prisoners in our home, not allowed to leave. We basically spent our days in our pajamas with no routine or adventure…just existing. After several months of this with no end in sight, my partner and I decided that in order to preserve whatever sanity we had left, we had to make a leap of faith. With that being said, we sold everything in our apartment except for a weeks worth of clothes and all of our camping gear and we set off for an adventure of a lifetime…..we were going to travel the country….during Covid…with 3 kids and no place to call home. To us this risk was way better than staring at 4 walls all day in a small 3 bedroom apartment with no end in sight.

We headed up to Washington, through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorodo, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. In May of 2021, after several months of living free and exploring all of the beauty our country has to offer, we decided to head back to NM where we had resided for 10 years before moving to Oregon. My sister Tracy owned a bakery/restaurant in Truth or Consequences, was making plans to reopen as the lockdowns were being lifted and offered me a job as a barista. My initial plan was to stay for a year and relocate back to Florida where I was raised.

In late July of 2022 Tracy passed away due to Covid complications. The Passion Pie Cafe had been a staple in T or C for over 11 years and there were many questions as to the fate of “The Pie”…. after only having a year of restaurant experience and absolutely zero experience in baking I decided it would be best to continue her legacy and learn ALL of the things! With the tremendous amount of support from the community and Passion Pie staff at the time, I leapt into the unknown….

Lenni, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the proud owner of a cozy cafe and coffee shop nestled in the heart of the Truth or Consequences downtown district. We are known for our welcoming atmosphere and dedication to quality, the cafe has become a cherished local treasure.

Passion Pie cafe was originally owned by my sister and carries on her legacy after her passing in 2022. Today, we continue to serve scratch-made fare and baked goods, crafted with love and care. Our Motto is “Love through food”. Every cup of coffee is brewed from organic, fair-trade beans, freshly roasted weekly to ensure the best flavor and support for sustainable practices.

I remain passionate about creating a community space where patrons can enjoy exeptional food, warm connections, and the comfort of a well-brewed cup of coffee.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In July of 2022 life took an unexpected turn for me when my beloved sister passed away suddenly, leaving behind the Passion Pie Cafe, this bustling little cafe she had nurtured with love. The cafe, with its cozy charm and loyal customers, became my responsibility, though I had never set foot in the restaurant industry before.

Grief weighed heavy, but I knew the cafe was more than just a business…it was a piece of my sisters heartbeat. Determined to honor her memory, I rolled up my sleeves and dove head first into the unfamiliar world of espresso machines, food inventory, and restaurant customer service.

The first few months were grueling. Mornings started before dawn, learning to brew the perfect cup of coffee, bake the perfect pastry, understanding supplier negotiations, and managing a team who missed their former boss deeply. Mistakes were inevitable….undercooked pastries, miscalculated recipes, but I faced each setback with grit and an open mind.

Slowly, through trial, error, and countless late-night research sessions, I grew not just competent but confident. I introduced fresh ideas inspired by my sisters favorite recipes, blending new touches while preserving the essence of Passion Pie.

By the end of 2022 the cafe was thriving under my leadership, blossoming into a beautiful tribute to both my sisters Legacy and my own unyielding determination. This stood as a testament: Resilience isn’t about knowing all the answers but having the courage to find them when life demands it!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I have been able to grow my clientele by enhancing customer experience providing excellent service, a cozy atmosphere, and high quality coffee/food. I also personalize my interactions with my customers so that they feel valued. Local marketing has also worked well for the Cafe. I use social media to showcase menu items and daily specials. In addition we offer a loyalty program. When a customer purchases 12 specialty drinks, the 13th is free.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/passion_pie_cafe
• Facebook: Passionpiecafe.com