Due to consistent financial strain, trying to outfit a 1,000 sq ft cottage for lunch service, indecision, and a bit of over-giving, I will be moving on from the locations at Lake Ella.

Initially a brick-and-mortar used to sustain my private chef business, these historical cottages kickstarted my career. Despite acquiring a second cottage, we were limited by the building size.

Although financially unprepared, we opened Leon’s at Lake Ella. Due to startup expenses, equipment breaking, plumbing issues, and a motley of other reasons, the business never hit profitability, despite historically low overhead. The volume became too much, and every dollar went back into capacity building and staff retention, yet every effort fell short due to consistent growth.

I never crowdsourced while operating this business because I wanted to prove myself. But I need to be transparent: I need a reset.

The cost of this journey was high. My personal vehicle was totaled in 2023; I now only drive my work vehicle, and it is slowly deteriorating. I owe friends and family who helped me. I have student loan debt. And right now, I have no food in my fridge.

I have seen nonprofits raise $4,000–$13,000 for a single dinner with me. I’ve seen a documentary team raise $15,000 off my story without me seeing a dime. I’ve dealt with theft, harassment of staff, and the immense pressure of a DCF foster care youth work development program. I feel like I should be farther than I am.

The Future:

This week is a fundraiser for my next venture. By shifting to a private chef model, cooking classes, and social media, I can build the capital and the work-life balance necessary to return stronger.

The goal is clear: I want to operate a restaurant here in Tallahassee in 2027.

But to get there, I need to survive now. I need to build out a staff to help with my private chef and social media journey so I’m not doing it alone. This shift allows me to pursue a Michelin standard, finally write my cookbook, play dance games, and actually play with my dogs.

My mission is bigger than Lake Ella. If enough funds are raised, Leon’s could sustain, but right now, I need to get food in the fridge and secure the foundation for the future.

Where the Funds Will Go (The Benchmark)

Phase 1: The Reset (Survival & Transportation)

Goal: Immediate groceries, rent, student loan payments, and repaying personal debts to friends/family.

Impact: Stabilizing my personal life and repairing/replacing the deteriorating work vehicle so I can actually travel to private chef jobs professionally.

Phase 2: The Build Out (Staff & Content)

Goal: Hiring a support staff for private events and a media team (editor/videographer).

Impact: Visual focus for the brand. It allows for consistent revenue through high-end private dinners, cooking classes, and content monetization.

Phase 3: The Education (Cookbook & Merch)

Goal: Production costs for the first cookbook, official merchandise, and recipes.

Impact: Documenting the story and creating products that let you take a piece of Leon’s home.

Phase 4: The Vision (Tallahassee 2027)

Goal: A protected savings fund for the future brick-and-mortar location.

Impact: A proper buy-in for a restaurant space that fits the vision and the volume, slated for 2027.