A mum-of-three from Stockbridge Village has told the ECHO how joining Slimming World after having a baby six years ago inspired her to start her own food business, which she has recently expanded.
Leanne Moore, 39, is the owner of The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen on East Prescot Road in Dovecot and started making 'homemade food with a healthy twist' six years ago. She told the ECHO: "I'd had my little girl and I wasn't working. I'd always worked; I was in the gyms for the council so had some knowledge of health and fitness.
"I joined Slimming World and I was throwing more food away than I was eating. I started making food for my friends and they said I should do it as a job."
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Leanne had soon accumulated 30 clients and was preparing food for four years at home. She added: "The shop became available two years ago and they rent was really cheap. I borrowed some money of my mum and that was that."
Leanne has recently embarked on an expansion after the unit next door to hers became available. The space is now a wellness bar with indoor seating, serving protein shakes, smoothies and granola bowls.
Leanne now likes to give back to her local community. She said: "We're facing Alder Hey so all the nurses get 10% off. During half terms all the kids eat for free.
"I never thought I'd be in this position. I thought you had to be a millionaire to own your own business."
The Weight Loss Prep Kitchen has also built a celebrity following, with Liverpool footballer Jon Flanagan, boxer Rocky Fielding and comedian Paul the Joker among its fans. Hollyoaks star Richard Blackwood is also in "every day" while model Hannah Elizabeth, who starred on the first season of Love Island, drives from Manchester regularly for her meals.
Leanne added: "This might sound big headed but I think we're so popular because of me. I think people who've followed me over the years have seen how hard I've worked and they support us. And obviously the food is amazing!"
However, Leanne's journey hasn't been without issues. Last year, she was forced to close her shop for a prolonged period after her sister was seriously injured after falling out of the passenger seat of a van.
"I thought I would have to close down. The response was amazing, everyone was rooting for us."
She added that her sister, who was in a coma for two weeks after the accident, is "all good now" and is back in the shop every day.
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