Leroy Hite, 37, Founder of Cutting Edge Firewood

Leroy Hite believes the best memories are made in the warmth of a fire’s glow. On a mission to make every fire the perfect fire to gather around, Leroy created Cutting Edge Firewood, the only firewood company that delivers and ships ultra-premium fire, cooking and pizza cut wood nationwide. When he’s not sparking the perfect flame, Leroy devotes his time and talents to helping at-risk families and children through nonprofits Promise 686 and Love One International.

How do you bring innovation into your workplace?

When I started Cutting Edge Firewood, I started from scratch. I didn’t look at other firewood companies for inspiration. Instead, I studied other luxury and lifestyle brands to see what they were doing right. We began with the best firewood and actively engaged with our customers. We have now innovated into cooking wood with expanded wood species and cuts, as well as pizza cut woods for both permanent and portable pizza ovens.

What’s your best piece of advice for other entrepreneurs?

Passion is common; perseverance is rare. There are a lot of people out there that have a passion for something, but it takes perseverance (nearly to the point of obsession) to see your vision come to reality. Add another huge dose of perseverance to keep it going!

What are some ways you like to give back to the community?

I have focused my efforts on child welfare via two organizations: One Love International, which provides healthcare and rehabilitation services to critically ill children in Uganda and Promise 686 which mobilizes church communities to care for vulnerable children and prevent them from going into foster care.

What’s surprised you along your journey?

I have been occasionally surprised by others that try to sway me away from the original vision for Cutting Edge. I have learned to stick with my instincts while still being open to wise advice.

www.cuttingedgefirewood.com, www.instagram.com/cutting.edge.firewood