Today we’d like to introduce you to Le Le.
Hi Le, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I come from a family where cooking was a way of life. I grew up watching my grandmother prepare scratch, made meals, and that naturally poured into me developing the same passion. My family always talked about starting a business together, but when that didn’t happen, I decided to take a leap of faith on my own around 2014. I actually started with dessert jars baking came first before full meals, and although I don’t bake regularly now, it gave me the confidence to move forward.
From there, I started selling food plates and catering small events, and things began to grow. Eventually, I connected with opportunities in Atlanta, where I catered events for celebrities and even handled corporate catering for ADP.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Being a small business owner comes with ups and downs, from financial challenges to not always having the support or resources you need. There have been moments when I felt like throwing in the towel, but I’ve learned to pick it back up, keep my faith strong, and continue building the legacy I know I’m called to create. Sometimes people don’t see your vision until it’s already coming together, and by then the support can feel late. I’ve also faced personal life challenges that slowed business progress, but those moments strengthened my resilience and taught me the importance of consistency.
In the small business world, I’ve learned that not everyone will see your vision, and sometimes people who once asked for advice or information can turn around and act like you’re in competition. That has been eye-opening, especially because I’ve always been someone willing to share and uplift others. These days, I move with more wisdom, protect what I’m building, and stay focused. At the end of the day, faith, passion, and perseverance keep me grounded. Even when I get knocked down, I get back up and keep climbing because I truly believe in what I’m building and know there’s even greater growth ahead.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
LeLe’s Authentic Karing Kitchen is built on love, passion, and real scratch, made food, and yes, we serve some seriously good food too! I’m the head chef, and my daughter is next in line, which makes this not just a business but a growing legacy. We offer catering, pop-up dining experiences, a food truck, and our own line of seasonings and sauces that reflect our signature flavor and style.
What sets us apart is heart. Cooking isn’t just a job for me, it’s my love language. I truly enjoy serving people, creating memorable food experiences, and showing care through what I prepare. That same passion led us to launch our nonprofit, Project Spread Love, in 2017. Through it, we’ve provided meals and support to the community entirely from our own resources, simply because giving back matters to us.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we never gave up. There have been setbacks, closed doors, and plenty of “no’s,” but we kept pushing forward. LeLe’s represents resilience, faith, family, and purpose. I also love knowing that our journey inspires others, some tell me directly, and others I may never hear from, but if our story motivates someone to keep going, that means everything.
At the end of the day, readers should know this: LeLe’s isn’t just food, it’s heart, legacy, community, and perseverance served on every plate.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would say resilience has been the most important quality behind my success. This journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned how to keep going no matter what. There have been setbacks, closed doors, and moments where I could’ve quit, but my faith, consistency, and passion keep me grounded. Cooking is my love language, and serving people truly fulfills me, that purpose keeps me pushing forward.
My sister has always joked that I’m like “Mother Teresa” because I’ve always had a heart to help people. That servant-leader mindset naturally shows up in my business, my nonprofit work, and how I serve my community.
I move with a boss mindset, but I stay humble enough to know I’m still growing. Honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve hit my biggest success point yet and that keeps me motivated, focused, and hungry to keep elevating.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Chefleway
