Client Spotlight: Jace’s Southern Pies

Tell us about yourself.   

By my mid-30s, I had three beautiful souls I get to call my daughters. Living in Southern Ontario for the past 16 years, I have learned so much about the culture. But what always brings me back to my roots is baking. Born in Kentucky and raised in Southern Indiana, I was part of 4-H for 8 years, and my submission for projects for the fair was baking and cross-stitch. Winning first place and going to the State Fair was an amazing experience. I also worked at a nationally recognized private golf club, Victoria National Golf Club, where I had the opportunity to learn from many amazing chefs.

Tell us about your business.

I have been operating for 5 years now. My love of baking can be traced to my grandmothers, Betty Walker and Lucille Tapp, teaching me in their kitchens. Today I have the opportunity to have fun with their recipes, recipes that have been handed down to me.

My pies are all handmade from scratch with ingredients that are top quality. If I am putting my heart into these pies, I want to make sure the quality is shown for my customers and future customers. When picking which pies I will be making for that month, I lean toward a seasonal pie for the quality. Among my fruit pies, I also have some limited pies, including Mississippi Mud Pie and Southern Tomato Pie. One of my personal favourites is the meringue; my grandmother, Lucille Tapp, was the queen of the mile-high meringue and showcased them at Easter. My grandmother, Betty Walker, was excellent with Chocolates and puddings. I have named a lot of my pies after family members because of who taught me or because of the memories behind them.

What services/programs have you utilized at the London Small Business Centre, and how have they helped your business?

Through participating in the Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-up Program, I have been able to start selling my pies at the Real Canadian Superstore and other retailers. It has been an amazing experience, and I am always learning more. Since the involvement with the London Small Business Centre, my business has grown in terms of equipment and expansion of available locations.

I’m also working with Old North Sconery & Market [a Foodpreneur Advantage Scale-up alumni] in collaboration on products in her store. So glad to see other women supporting other women.

What led you to start this business? Was there something that drew (or pushed) you into being an entrepreneur?

I was unemployed due to COVID-19, and there was no daycare or school available for my three young ones. I needed to start over in a career, so I created my own job.

As a busy entrepreneur, what do you enjoy doing when you take a break?

Is there really any time for breaks? Haha, I love music and playing in my cover band, Wine Vinyl, helps me take any stress and release that I might have and put it back into something else I love to do, singing.

If you could sit down with any business leader or industry expert, who would you choose and why?

I know this sounds wild, but Dolly Parton has led not only in her music career but also in her entrepreneurship with Dollywood and a production company. Yes, this is far-fetched from a baking business, but I believe every business starts from the ground up in one way or another, and she has an empire. And lastly, because of her philanthropic efforts with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She gives back to her community and truly cares about the humanity of others.

Learn more about Jace’s Southern Pies