Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Andrews.
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a native of Oklahoma City, and there’s a small bakery in Bethany, Oklahoma that completely changed the way I think about cheesecake. Growing up, cheesecake was the very first dessert I learned to make. I made it for every holiday gathering and for my family’s birthdays, but nothing I created compared to the cheesecakes at Not Cho Cheesecake. As someone who has been a business owner for nearly two decades, I’ve always paid attention to trend and business. Houston is a true foodie city, and when I discovered Not Cho Cheesecake, I knew the connection had to be divine alignment. I decided to approach the owner to see if he would consider allowing me to buy into the business. I genuinely believed this concept could thrive in Houston’s dessert scene. After being given the opportunity to partner with Glen Whitaker, we expanded to Houston in 2024, starting in the Third Ward area. When the businesses on Alameda began to move, I had to pivot and find new ways to get our cheesecakes into the community. That led us to local farmers markets and pop ups across the city. Once I gained experience with events, I pushed further into festivals, rodeos, corporate events, and large scale shows. At the end of 2025, I told my staff that 2026 would be our season and the doors have been opening wide ever since. We’ve had the opportunity to travel with our cheesecakes and participate in major events such as The Houston Boat and Auto Show, Foodielands, PlantCon, and The Spring Nutcracker Market, just to name a few.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been smooth, not at all, but those are the seasons where you grow and where your strength is built for the journey ahead. Through perseverance, the grace of God, our Oklahoma location, an amazing staff, and the support of my family and vendor family, I’ve been able to push through and overcome many challenges.
As a dessert vendor, you face obstacles that most people never see: choosing the right markets, dealing with the constant rise in product costs, managing gas prices, and navigating unpredictable weather during events. The main obstacles I face as a business owner is the rising inflation in the economy, consumer spending habits have shifted, making people more cautious and selective about their purchases. This change affects how often customers choose to indulge in specialty desserts like ours, which means as business owners, we have to stay adaptable, creative, and intentional in how we present value. Understanding these shifts helps us plan better, price smarter, and continue offering a product that people feel good about investing in even during challenging economic times. These challenges are real, but each one teaches you something, increase your faith, and prepares you for what’s next.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Cheesecake Bar dba Not Cho Cheesecake. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Not Cho Cheesecake stands for exactly what it sounds like not cho cheesecake, but mine and definitely not your ordinary cheesecake. I’m the owner and baker of the Houston location, where we’ve built a small but dedicated team. We currently have three part time employees and a full time baker who moved from Oklahoma to help launch the new location. Our baker, Lenora King, comes straight from the original Bethany, Oklahoma location, which means Houstonians can enjoy the same authentic taste that started it all. We proudly serve a wide variety of gourmet cheesecakes more than 20 flavors, with several more still waiting to be added to the menu. Our sizes include Me (cupcake size), We (4 inch), and Us (6-, 8-, and 10 inch) cheesecakes. Many of our flavors have fun, memorable names: Oh Really Oh is our Oreo cheesecake, Chocolate Wasted is our rich chocolate flavor, and Cinn City is our cinnamon roll cheesecake. What truly sets us apart is the quality, texture, flavor, and unforgettable taste of our cheesecakes. We also offer sugar free and gluten free options because we want everyone to have something they can enjoy. We’re proud to bring Houstonians a dessert experience that’s unique, elevated, and unlike anything else. Our cheesecakes are truly one of a kind and we stand firmly behind our motto: “Pieces of Cheesecake Heaven”.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
You must believe in yourself and in your vision, because if you don’t, no one else will. Hold on to positive expectations, even when doubt tries to creep in. Success doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a process. Delays and denials aren’t setbacks; they’re protection. Use that time to prepare, to grow, and to strengthen yourself both personally and professionally. If entrepreneurship were easy, more people would do it. You have to trust the unknown and stay grounded in faith. Find something you truly love, because during the difficult seasons, passion is what keeps it from feeling like a job, it becomes a calling. Being self-motivated, determined, disciplined, resilient, and adaptable are key qualities when you’re building something of your own. And remember: failure is part of the journey. What matters most is how you respond when you take a loss, make mistakes, or have setbacks. Your response is what shifts the entire game. The last piece of advice I’d give anyone starting a business is this: never forget who you are and why you started. What’s meant for you will not pass you by. You don’t have to manipulate the process, just stay committed and do the work.
Pricing:
- 1/2 dozen $30.00
- 4′ inch cheesecake $20.00
- 6′ inch cheesecake $45.00
- 8′ inch cheesecake $70.00
- 10′ inch cheesecake $95.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://notchocheesecake.com
- Instagram: Not Cho Cheesecake Houston
