Women Who Inspire: Leyenda Lee
Owner, Marché Soupson
I heard of Soupson through my friend Mike Milano (owner and hairdresser of Fresh Salon). He told me knew of a great neighborhood place that serves the best and freshest soups. My first visit there left a lasting impression. As I was parking, I saw a woman in her seventies getting off a 79’ Yamaha motorcycle. She took off her helmet and along with the friendliest smile; I saw a head of shortly cropped hair full of rainbow colors! (I later learned that this was Leyenda’s mom). Leyenda has authentic eyes and a warm smile. I love her story: At a crossroad in her career, she went from being a Sales and Marketing director to opening her own restaurant serving homemade, daily soups. The restaurant/ grocery store is now a thriving and growing business in her community.
My favorite Leyenda quote: “I love the idea of feeding people real, comforting food, and this felt right.”
What do you love about your job?
From the very beginning, this was always about the community. I've worked behind a desk and while the experience I gained proved invaluable, I will always love interacting with the public. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy seeing customers experience my creations, to interact with them in real time and gain a sense of kinship with the people in this amazing neighbourhood. And of course, I love to cook! Food is a lifelong passion for me; it's the thread that binds my life together and I will always love learning new things.
What is the biggest challenge of your job?
I want to provide quality food that people deserve. Maintaining this standard has proven challenging—I don't know if I'll ever get used to waking up at 4:30am—but I won't settle for anything less. I'll do a 13-hour day and not come close to clearing my to-do list; working with fresh ingredients is challenging, labour intensive and time sensitive. So yes, it's hard work making everything from scratch and sourcing top-quality ingredients, all while managing staff and zipping around town, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out?
Always evolve. In my previous location, I quickly learned that less space meant I could only take production so far and that at a certain point, growth would not be possible. Moving into our new location was not easy and we're still feeling some growing pains, but the possibilities and potential are what I'm focused on. Now we're looking beyond sales to solutions for reducing our reliance on packaging, all while providing the best quality products for conscious consumers.
What was the hardest lesson that took you the longest to learn?
Expect the unexpected. I often get frustrated when I don't get the results I want, when I want them, but it's taught me to be more patient and methodical. Maybe a fridge motor burns out or my internet goes out in the middle of a lunch rush, but these are part and parcel with running an operation that has so many moving parts. The important thing is to not get overwhelmed and that every problem has a solution. Just be calm and breathe.
What advice would you give young women and men who are starting their careers?
A good mentor is worth their weight in gold. Small business is brutal and you can learn so much from entrepreneurs who survived and thrived. Also, you can't jump into it lightly. You may love to bake, but are you prepared to handle payroll, taxes and the day-to-day grind of upkeep, repair and maintenance? Do your research, talk to people, learn what it takes to get a business off the ground and what it takes to stay afloat. Finally, and most importantly, respect and appreciate your customers. They're more than profit—they’re people.
The Olimpia Questionnaire
Where is your favourite place in the world?
I know this might sound a little boring, but my favourite place in the world is on the couch with my cat! I'm a bit of a homebody and my pajamas are like a second skin for me. I'm happiest when relaxing and wouldn't have it any other way.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Living an honest life surrounded by the people I love. I have a good friend who once told me how every day he tried to be a better person… I think that's amazing goal to strive for.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Growing as a person, conquering my fears and insecurities, and living the life I want to live. It's a privilege to do what I do and I appreciate it every day.
You can visit Leyenda at Marché Soupson at 80 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest
