Jersey Cares is a not for profit that is committed to increasing civic engagement in New Jersey by coordinating volunteer opportunities to address community-identified needs.  I had the pleasure that evening to meet many donors and volunteers that shared compelling stories about helping those most in need. It truly was an inspiring evening. If you aren’t volunteering your time to do something, consider embracing the rewards of doing so and contact Jersey Cares. They will plug you right in! Before you know it, you will be in a classroom reading to kids or being a project leader for a coat drive. I was equally feeling satisfied by seeing all the guests walking back for second and third helpings of Momma Lena’s Eggnog Pound Cake.

Thank you Jersey Cares for inviting Momma Lena’s. We had fun!

Don’t forget to place your order!

The Banyan Tree Shop located in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, is a very inviting shop. It is always a personal treat and to be honest, an easy escape from reality, when I need one.  Oh boy, oh boy, if I only had that house that I could decorate without a care in the world, this would be the place to go! It has inviting curb appeal, so you are instantly intrigued and want to go inside and see what hidden treasures you can find. You will see the most exquisite displays in the window…from the bed that showcases pillows with elaborate pillowcases, blankets and shams with unique patterns to the sofa that always has unique one-of-a-kind items placed on and around this timeless, classic piece of furniture. It’s known for creating comfort and beauty in the home. You can actually make a request (for a nominal fee) to have one of their representatives visit your home and provide a consultation that includes the experience of bringing the store to you! It was awarded in 2007, as one of the top 50 Creative Retailers by “Home Accents Today” and by “New Jersey Life”, as one of the premier places to register for brides-to-be. As you can tell, this is not just any ordinary accessory shop, it’s an experience you won’t forget. So, you can understand, how thrilled I was when Valerie Fischer presented me with the offer to have samples of my Momma Lena’s Eggnog Pound Cake in her shop.

The day finally came. I was running a little behind schedule, since I was waiting for the cakes to come fresh from the oven, cool, and then package. The adrenalin had set in, I was going to be in my favorite, guilty pleasure store for at least four hours giving out samples of my eggnog pound cake. I was just blown away with excitement. I felt like a five-year old counting down to Christmas! My boyfriend was so thrilled for me too. He was my personal cheerleader! Go Deborah, Go Deborah! He even offered to help me package the cakes, but I just couldn’t see him in the bakers kitchen with flour and powdered sugar flying around, standing for two hours cutting ribbon and cellophane packaging cakes. Besides, he’d be eating the cake. So, I let him off the hook. In record time, the cakes were packaged and I entered the store with nervous humbled energy. I couldn’t believe I was here. We set up the display and plated the samples.

Here are the samples!

Now, we were in business. Some people approached without an invitation to taste, while some graciously turned down the offer. It was funny to watch men with their wives sneak away to have another taste. One woman who was outing with her girlfriends bought a lovely platter that I actually was eyeing the entire time I was stationed in the area. She approached me and said, I’m going to buy your cake! Yey! my first sale for the day!!!! Her feedback …”This is a good cake. I love the texture and moistness. Good luck to you! You have a great product.” I couldn’t believe my ears. You would think after having a baker believe in me, a local grocery store believe in me, that I would already have the confidence of knowing and believing I had a great product. But when you hear it from a costumer who doesn’t know you or your cake story, walk into a store for another reason, and adds your cake to their purchase, it then is crystalized and is reality. Deborah…you maybe on to something! By the end of the day, 15 cakes were sold and individuals inquired about placing orders for Christmas.  That following Monday, Valerie and I spoke. She extended a generous offer to showcase “Momma Lena’s” Eggnog Pound Cake in The Banyan Tree Shop for the entire holiday season. I am not only humbled but honored to be showcased among the most exquisite items in the most amazing accessory store where the most unique home items can be found.

Momma Lena’s front and center at The Banyan Tree

Thank you Valerie Fischer for making an entrepreneurs’ journey extra ordinary!

Don’t forget to place your order!

Don’t forget to place your order!

Dear Momma Lena’s Fans,

We are ready to launch tomorrow Monday, November 19th, 2012 at The Marlboro Bake Shoppe in Montclair, New Jersey and Plaza Pastry, Nutley, New Jersey! We are so hopeful, nervous, and VERY Excited!!! I have learned much through this journey. I know this is just the beginning to hopefully something bigger than I could ever imagine. My hopes is that I get some of that Bethenny Frankel luck…like Skinny Girl…If you don’t know by now from reading my blogs, Bethanny Frankel is one of my virtual mentors. She is focused, driven, and knows how to hustle!  Hopefully, one day she will mention me in one of her blogs!  Many more lessons to be learned and hopefully, you will learn a little something too from my adventure!

Here are some photo’s of us preparing for the launch!… Enjoy!

Don’t forget to place your order!

Remember, when you are creating a food product to sell, the key element is to lock in a good price. It is important to weigh every ingredient and list the price of each ingredient. This will help you develop a winning formula to sell your food product!

After several failed attempts to produce a really good eggnog pound cake using John’s products, I just gave up and decided to visit my local ShopRite to see if they would work with me. Since I wasn’t a registered baker or food buyer, I thought this would be a failed attempt. But, as one friend said to me, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. So, I first made a call to the ShopRite, and asked to speak to the manager or owner. I was instantly connected to the store manager, who listened to my idea and gave me direction. It was very encouraging. I quickly discovered, Marc Jacquan, Manager keeps a very busy schedule. Once we finally connected, he was very open to the idea of helping me. He agreed to help facilitate a bulk order of products at a reasonable price. I also learned that Shoprite embraces local food entrepreneurs and is willing to consider placing your product in their stores. Wow! what a concept! On that day, not only did I make a great deal, but I discovered, a giant food store supports small businesses.

So the moral of this story is to never think any idea isn’t possible. If you never ask, you will never know. Now, John and I can make the best “Momma Lena’s Eggnog Pound Cakes” ever!

                                                           John & Staff enjoying a sampling of Momma Lena’s Eggnog Pound Cake

Don’t forget to place your order!

As I am getting closer to my eggnog pound cake launch, I realize that I am going to need more tools to help me make this a sustaining effort. Although, I have a wonderful food advisor, Dom Celentano, Foodpreneur, I will still have to immerse myself in learning a new craft and that is “How to become a successful entrepreneur in the food arena.”

On November 30th at Rutgers University, Newark Campus, I will have the unique opportunity to start my entrepreneurial studies and meet women entrepreneurs who are striving to achieve success with their creative ideas and unique services at the OWN IT VENTURES Roadshow. This Roadshow has the best of both worlds for any woman entrepreneur looking to meet angel investors, the media, and individuals who are on top of their game in various industries willing to provide advice and consider investing in your dream.

While I currently serve on the Advisory Board for OWN IT VENTURES, the entrepreneurial twist is that Melissa Cloeter, Founder, OWN IT VENTURES has become a personal resource for me, as I seek opportunities to expand Momma Lena’s offerings.

So, I invite you to join me on November 30th, as I begin my journey in thinking bigger!  In addition, I extend an invitation to you to follow Momma Lena’s adventures on twitter @mommalenas.

Don’t forget to place your order!

As I began to think about a brand, I instantly thought about Bethenny Frankel who branded Skinnygirl. Out of the blue, she went from a NYC Housewife on BRAVO to a mogul by creating a low calorie cocktail she calles Skinnygirl. Although it is not my goal to host my own talk show, Frankel is a good example of how to create a product and brand it. I started to think of my brand and name, I instantly decided to attribute this venture to my momma, who also had an entrepreneurial spirit. The dessert line would then be named after my momma, Arlena. Many of her relatives called her Aunt Lena, hence the name, “Momma Lena”.  The logo is a design created by my graphic designer, Nuno Perdiz at The Printpost, Newark, New Jersey. He spent several hours with me, as we worked off an old black and white photo I found of my momma taken in the early 1920′s.(And yes, that’s my momma.  And yes, if you do the math, it doesn’t add up, but that’s another story for another day! :). Here’s the final product…What do you think?

PS: Don’t forget to visit and “like” our Facebook page at Mommalenas.

Gloria at Marlboro Inn Bake Shoppe giving her approval !!!

Don’t forget to place your order!

Montclair Location

Finally, I am happy to publish my first blog. This entire process has been an unexpected, amazing journey! And as my friend said to me one day, so nicely, “You had no choice to do this, because “ALL” the people kept pushing you to do this.” And then I asked her, what people? Since this was just an idea in my head, and only 3 people really knew about these thoughts. Her response, “ALL” the people you interacted with once you mentioned you had an idea about placing your yummy, eggnog pound cakes in a local bakery to see if people would like them, as much as, your friends and clients.

I thought to myself, she’s right! Once I approached my local baker about this idea, and then met with a food consultant, Dom Celentano, foodpreneur, who helped me to think differently about my approach; and after a meeting with my local Shoprite to see if they would sell me the products I needed in bulk for a reasonable price; and after a survey with family and friends about the name for the brand, I was suddenly committed to an idea that now involved more people, than just myself. It involved “ALL” those people my friend was referencing. Holy Cow Batman! I think I started something that I am going to have to finish.

And now, here I am,”Momma Lena’s” off and running! Stay tuned. Please visit us on Facebook and “like” my Momma Lena’s page! And please drop by Marlboro Inn Bake Shoppe in Montclair, New Jersey or Plaza Pastry in Nutley, New Jersey. You will be able to pick up a “Momma Lena’s Eggnog” pound cake. We hope you will enjoy!

Don’t forget to place your order!

Nutley Location