Meet LESLIE HAMPTON | Baker

We had the good fortune of connecting with LESLIE HAMPTON and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LESLIE, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been a store manager for over 20 years. I’ve run stores that produce from one hundred thousand to 20 million dollars. When COVID hit my life changed. I was no longer able to work in retail due to age and health but I love being around people, that’s what makes me thrive. So I decided to take the best of retail and make my own path. I am a person who loves to be around people. I love customer service but what would make me smile the most was a reset. I love to make things look perfect. When you bake it’s a lot like a reset, you want it to look perfect because that’s the first thing they see. We are all drawn to things first by what we see, then what we smell, and lastly, what we feel. There is nothing like a flaky crust when you take the first bite into it! I decided to do what I do best, customer service and the most amazing product. But now when I put in 80 hours I am investing in myself.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

We are a Tucson-based bakery specializing in tarts, quiche, & fluffy gourmet marshmallows. Every tart, quiche, and marshmallow we make is crafted with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal fruits to ensure you taste the love in every bite. I have been a store manager for over 20 years and recently I have been unable to work out in the retail world so I decided to create my brand. I have always had a love for baking. My mother taught me how to bake and whenever I felt depressed that was a way to get my feelings out in a beautiful way. She used to always say “Turn your ashes into beauty”. One of the lessons that I have learned out of all of this is that it’s easier to sell someone else’s product and brand than it is your own there’s a different love when you’re selling your brand what I want the world to know most about myself and my brand is my baking comes from the love. Every piece of dough is kneaded with love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I truly believe that Tucson is the city of gastronomy. I would take them to all of the local food places and make sure to go to the pop-up markets. It would be a full food tour! One thing that most of my friends know is that I love supporting small businesses whether it is myself or others so I make sure that we went to all of those places hang out movies and share some of the best Tucson Wine

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My shoutout I want to give a special shout-out to my mother. She taught me how to bake with love and how to use baking as a way to cope with the stressful parts of life. I also want to give a shout-out to my three daughters for always believing in me, even when I’m trying to do something new and challenging. And finally, a big shout-out to Tucson for accepting me for who I am and supporting me in everything that I do.

Website: https://www.everythingtart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everything_tart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everythingtart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverythingTart

Image Credits
Leslie Hampton(Everything Tart)