Stephanie Newman credits the Cheesecakery's wild popularity to the local business community #inFrontenac that is supportive of hardworking entrepreneurs going for their dreams.
Stephanie Newman started working at Future Shop part time after high school. She had no idea at the time that it would turn into a rewarding 15 year career, nor that it would end abruptly when the Kingston store closed its doors while she was enjoying maternity leave with her third son. She had a salary to replace, and along with her self-employed husband, she had three young sons at home to raise. Stephanie looked at this challenge as an opportunity to do something new, and when a relative suggested she start selling her beloved cheesecakes, she decided to go for it.
In February 2016, she started making full size, custom-order cheesecakes. One day while she was baking, a mason jar on the counter caught her attention. It had originally contained red pepper jelly from her grandmother, but all Stephanie could think about was putting cheesecake in it. After doing a bit of research to make sure the jar wouldn't explode in the oven, she made her first Mason jar cheesecake.
Now, only a year since then, Stephanie's jars sell in 19 locations between Prescott and Belleville.
She received lots of advice when she first started her business. Some of it was fantastic, like her neighbour's suggestion to add a layer of graham to the middle of the jar. Some of it on the other hand she totally ignored, like the idea that she needed a website or that her business wouldn't turn a profit in the first year. Stephanie focused on making a high quality product, creating a strong social media following, and making good decisions quickly.
She gives credit for the impressively quick growth of her business to two sources: social media and a supportive local business community. Stephanie uses social media expertly - she always tells the story of her business, posts lots of photos to give followers a peak behind the scenes, and tags other accounts to share the spotlight and appeal to a wider audience. Followers and customers feel they are invested in her success because they have been involved in the evolution of the Cheesecakery. In fact, it was through Facebook that Stephanie secured her first store. When she asked followers if they would buy jars at the store, comments flooded in. A friend tagged Ormsbee's Mercantile in the thread, and owner Jenn Ormsbee sent Stephanie a message within a half hour. They met for a sample, and Ormsbee's started carrying (and selling out of them) right away.
Stephanie's cheesecakes are sold mostly by small, independent grocers operated by owners who like trying new things to meet their customers' demands for high quality local products. Stephanie has realized that our community wants good, local products made by hardworking, local people.
And Stephanie is definitely hardworking. She admits she's a "special kind of beast", a high energy person who will rise to any challenge. She currently meets demand by baking just twice a week, caring for her young boys the other five days.
While the Cheesecakery is arguably still in its infancy, Stephanie is already making decisions about its long-term future. She knows the potential is huge, she just needs to figure out how big she wants to go. In the meantime, she continues working hard to keep her supportive local businesses, consumers, and online community stocked up with delicious cheesecake.
Stephanie is one of the most active supporters of the Frontenac Brand Ambassador program. She sees value in promoting social media use by rural businesses, and appreciates the "shop local" message and spirit of camaraderie the program is building among local business owners.
Swing by our Business Directory to get all of Stephanie's contact information.
Are you thinking about starting a small manufacturing business? Looking to grow your existing operation? Want to find a more meaningful place to pursue your entreprenurial dream? Visit our Contact Us page. Reach out to Richard or Alison directly by email or phone, or fill out the form and we'll be in touch.
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