We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wendy Melander. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wendy below.

Wendy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

Being parents is hard work! Everyone knows that, but raising children who have respect for themselves and others is extremely hard work. Living by example, my parents taught my sisters and me that having a good work ethic, living with integrity and respecting others is important in life. This was evident in their work and relationships with others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Baking pies has always been something I loved doing! “Doing what you love” has always been in the back of my head through the years so as opportunities became available to sell my pies I jumped in! Market after market, meeting people, chatting about pies and baking has brought me so much joy. I’m always determined to find a pie for those that ‘don’t like pie’, or “have never had one”.
Using fresh ingredients, I lovingly hand make every pie. Always looking to expand my offerings, I’ll experiment with regional and seasonal favorites.
Supporting my community with pies for schools, veteran’s or first responders is how I share my love of pie with others.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Although I rely heavily on social media to reach my community, I began a monthly newsletter as well. Starting with just a few friends and family, I began emailing a monthly newsletter to highlight what my business is up to and where I will be selling my pies. Each contact I make or order I take, I ask if they have an email that I can add. A new website has also been helpful!
Creating relationships with customers reinforces the brand loyalty.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Although I am a sole proprietor, I have been renting a kitchen from another bakery to increase my productivity. I met the owner, Robin, through another supportive vendor at the markets I attend. The community of vendors that I work with are happy to help others succeed. Working with other business owners helps the whole community. From business owners to the customers, it’s not all for one and one for all, it’s a collaboration of how we can engage customers with the whole business community. Robin understands this and exhibits so many of the values that I respect, it has been a mutually beneficial relationship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Wendybakespies.com
• Instagram: WendysPiesSC
• Facebook: Wendyshomemadepies
• Linkedin: Wendy Melander
• Other: TikTok
  Wendybakespies

Image Credits

Kimberly Cauble Photography