This is: Midnight Delights

The Florida Gulf Coast University Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship is elevating our area’s visionaries, doers, and makers. One of these entrepreneurs that came out of the school is Connor Leonarczyk, owner of Midnight Delights Cookies. Connor poured his heart and passion into his business. He started making scrumptious cookies for students looking for a late night snack and is growing his business every day. He is now in a commercial kitchen, serving the general Southwest Florida community, and with plans of continued expansion.

10 Questions with Connor Leonarczyk, owner of Midnight Delights Cookies FGCU.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
   My name is Connor Leonarczyk. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL.   I am 22 years old and recently graduated from FGCU with a degree in Entrepreneurship. 

2. Where does the idea for midnight delights come from?
   The idea formed when I was home for the holidays my freshman year of college. At the time I had zero clue on what to do for me degree. While talking with my family about life and what to pursue, it somehow came up that I should sell food to drunk college students. I loved that idea. 

3. Why cookies?
   Personally, I have a huge sweet tooth. I figured that most people love cookies. There are so many options and flavors to them!

4. Is the cookie recipe your own?
   It sure is. It took me a while to figure out a recipe that worked. I did a lot of cookie testing to find the cookie that I felt was the best. 

5. Where you a baker before?
   I had little to no baking experience. Growing up I would cook or grill food, but never really baked. So going into this was definitely a bit challenging. I started to learn some of the food science behind making cookies. Like, how if your butter is cold, or melted, and how that affects your cookie dough. 

6. Why do you like serving the Southwest Florida community?
   I started this business because I noticed there was nothing like this in the community. It would be awesome if a specialty cookie shop was available for those students who needed to satisfy their munchies. Now, I really enjoy the feeling of bringing happiness to others through cookies.

7. What are the next steps for Midnight delights?
   Currently, I’m working on expanding into a commercial kitchen here in the Bonita/ Naples area. With that I’ll be able to make more product for the Farmer’s Markets I’ve been going to and still be able to do late night deliveries. My biggest goal is to open a brick-and-mortar shop in the next couple years.
   *Update: Connor now has a commercial kitchen space!

8. How are you creating a sense of community with Midnight delights?
   I feel that I’m creating a product that is meant to bring smiles to faces. People of all ages can enjoy our cookies and share them. Cookies are timeless. 

9. What do you love about SWFL?
   It would have to be the beach for sure! It’s so relaxing for me and I love the water. 

10. What inspires you daily?
    I’d say having to be my own boss and bring that sense of community to the area. It brings me joy that people are very satisfied with my product and choose Midnight Delights cookies; to either eat for themselves or give to friends and family. Being my own boss is amazing. I never thought that I would’ve been able to create something like this. It’s more my style to be able to work a little more freely as compared to other jobs that I could have been working at. 

You can listen to the full interview below. Follow us on our Support SWFL Local The Podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.