Curious about vegan treats? Camille Hall has the hookup.

Leerah’s Vegan Treats, named after her grandmothers, offers plant-based eats and treats both online and via her new food truck. We recently caught up with Camille to learn more about her journey.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF — WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY?

My name is Camille, I am a Springfield, OH native, and I own Leerah’s Vegan Treats LLC.

HOW DID YOUR COMPANY START?

I started my business in 2019 when the idea came to me while writing on a vision board. I started by learning about the vegan lifestyle and testing plant-based recipes, finally landing on a brownie recipe. From there, I started selling my brownies at local markets and by special order. In 2022, I launched my website and offered nationwide shipping for my brownies. Today, I offer a variety of vegan food and desserts that I sell from my food truck, as well as special ordering options for individuals and organizations.

WHY THIS IDEA?

Fresh whole food meals were few and far between. I wanted to provide plant-based food and dessert options for customers in my service area. Additionally, I wanted to start a business in honor of my grandmothers, Lela and Sarah, hence the name Leerah’s. Each had health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. I wanted to take a plant-based approach by offering menu items made with whole food ingredients that promote dietary balance.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

I never pictured myself as an entrepreneur. It wasn’t until the vision of Leerah’s came to me that I considered starting a business.

THE LAUNCH DAYTON COMMUNITY VALUES ARE: 1. BE BOLD 2. ALL ARE WELCOME 3. PEOPLE FIRST 4. GIVE FIRST 5. REMOVE BARRIERS. HOW DO YOU EMBODY ONE OR MORE OF THESE VALUES?

Leerah’s was created to remove barriers to plant-based food access and welcomes all purchases, from strict vegans, to flexitarians, to just curious to try!

WHAT IDENTITIES OR LIFE EXPERIENCES DO YOU BRING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP THAT HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR THIS LIFESTYLE?

I like to think that my experience in customer service and nonprofit resource development have helped me structure the way I run my business. 

However, I’ve realized that owning a business is a learn-as-you-go kind of thing.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER YOU’VE FACED ON YOUR ENTREPRENEUR JOURNEY?

Scaling. I started off as a one-person operation, and as I grow to the next level, I’m realizing I need a team to accomplish those goals.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO?

I love the freedom entrepreneurship allows me to feel, having something that’s my own and being able to set my own path.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER FELLOW OR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from trying. It doesn’t have to be perfect to start.

HOW CAN THE LAUNCH DAYTON COMMUNITY SUPPORT YOU?

I need help building my social media base and with driving traffic to my website.

Connect with Camille on IG @Leerahs or on FB @LeerahsVeganTreats

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