When Leslie discovered that her two young children had medical conditions requiring special dietary restrictions, she began her search for healthy alternatives. “It was amazing how this impacted our entire family.” recalls Leslie. “I needed to come up with meals that my children would not react to, yet still enjoy. And since I was a full-time working mom, they had to be easy to make.”

Leslie sought the help of her mother and father, Frank and Judy. As concerned parents and grandparents, they immediately began experimenting with new ways to flavor and prepare foods. “It was really a hit and miss sort of process and we came up with some great ideas,” said Leslie. “I remember thinking that others could benefit from what we discovered; how to make mealtime an enjoyable and effortless experience, dietary restrictions or not!”

Leslie’s sincere desire to help others was the inspiration that led her to found Wildtree in 1996.

Leslie and Judy began by selling their specialty blends at local cooking fairs. They were overwhelmed by the reception and quickly gained a loyal following. When an enthusiastic customer asked Leslie if she had considered selling through home parties, she loved the idea. “I held my first party a few weeks later and knew it was the ideal way to bring our products directly to families.”

The combination of Leslie’s natural marketing ability, Judy’s talent for product development and Frank’s manufacturing expertise laid the foundation. Wildtree was officially launched in 1999 to local acclaim as a party plan company.