Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Leon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Eric. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always enjoyed cooking and creating healthy meals. To me it was about making them fun instead of just regular, all while keeping them delicious and tasty. Every time I would see a recipe or eat at a restaurant, I would tell myself, “I can make that myself too!” At work as a teacher, I would always get feedback on how delicious my lunch would look and the joke was that they would order from me if I provided catered meals. One day I took it upon myself in conversation with my friend that I would start providing meals to people to help them lose weight and start off small in numbers to not overwhelm myself. Basically a trial and error process.
From there, it started getting around abut my meals service and how convenient it was to so many that didn’t know how to cook or didn’t have time to cook. Along the way, as time passed, I opened the meals to a wider variety of types of meals to be able to suit those that eat for example, Vegan or pescatarian meals. Basically, it has always been about helping others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road, not at all. My first year and a half, I was just going about it and not realizing the business side of things. It was one thing to cook, plate, and deliver meals all by myself, but it was another thing to know where the time, effort, and money was being put to. Another struggle was still having a full-time job as a teacher and limiting me to go market the business by going to different places, in order to promote myself, being in-person results better than just over social media.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about G.E.M.S. Cooking – what should we know?
My business slogan says it all, “Good eating made simple.” I have made it a must from day one to make healthy meals but never taking away from the taste. I enjoy recreating meals, but with a healthier twist. I also from day one wanted the customers, the people, to have control of the menu and what they got to eat, so I constantly create weekly menus with ten meal options and they get to choose whichever ones they want. It is a lot of work coming up with different ideas for meals, but it is what keeps it fun and satisfying. Most of the sauces and dressings are homemade, which is important in making them with clean ingredients. One of my most proudest accomplishments of my company has been not only being able to help so many with their health goals but the personal relationship I have with them, one to one. In the end, it is more important to gain a friend in them than a customer.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My people skills and positive attitude have been very important in my success. There have been ups and downs and sometimes where doubts arise as to “can I continue doing this and be successful,” but then talking to customers thereafter, they bring a smile to me with compliments or what so and that makes it all worthwhile.
Pricing:
- On average it is $8.50/meals and that includes losing weight and maintenance plan.
- Athletic plan is $10/meals which includes more protein portions
- Vegan, Plant based, & Pescatarian meals are $9/meal
Contact Info:
- Email: g.e.m.s.cooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: @g.e.m.s._cooking
- Facebook: G.E.M.S. Cooking
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
