Trudy Jacobson Presents:
Teresa Sharpe – Manchester Cheesecake Company
Teresa Sharpe’s journey from a simple challenge to a thriving business is a testament to passion, perseverance, and faith. What started as a friendly bet with her boyfriend—proving she could master a cheesecake recipe—quickly became an obsession for perfection. She baked countless cheesecakes until she got it just right, sharing them with friends, family, and regulars at the bar where she worked. When people started paying for them, she realized she had something special.
But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that Teresa made the leap into business ownership. Losing her job as a bartender and facing an uncertain future, she saw an opportunity. With her stimulus check and a little space from her grandfather, she took a leap of faith, spending six months preparing for the grand opening of Manchester Cheesecake Company in November 2020. It didn’t take long for word to spread—lines were forming down the hallway, and she went from baking once a week to every single day.
The journey wasn’t without setbacks. A bout of COVID forced her to throw out dozens of holiday orders, ruining Christmas for many customers. But instead of giving up, she pivoted. She introduced her signature four-inch personal cheesecakes—perfectly packaged with a spoon and ready to enjoy on the go. That shift skyrocketed her sales from 20 cheesecakes a week to over 100.
Running a business hasn’t been easy, especially with supply chain issues and the rising cost of ingredients like cream cheese. But Teresa has learned how to adapt, just as she has throughout her life. As a single mom, she knows firsthand the challenges of juggling work, kids, and responsibilities. That’s why she encourages other women to take the leap—to find what they love and turn it into something sustainable.
Trudy Jacobson is proud to present Great American Woman, a web series dedicated to highlighting fearless, ambitious women like Teresa, who turn obstacles into opportunities. Like Trudy, these women are proving that with grit, resilience, and a willingness to bet on yourself, anything is possible. Teresa’s story is more than just about cheesecake—it’s about believing in your calling and having the courage to follow it.
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