Tiny Pies, Strong Women

March 8, 2018

Female leadership may be common in our industry, but that didn't make things any easier.  In honor of International Women's Day, we honor the true heroes behind Tiny Pies, Co-Owners Amanda Bates and Kit Seay.

At the first glimpse of a Tiny Pies storefront, one will notice a prominent strongman displayed in the logo, painted on the wall, and even graced on each Tiny Pies box.  Though the strongman may represent the hard work that goes into the company, the business is largely led by strongwomen.

““If I could offer any advice to young girls it’d be this: Have faith in yourself, follow your dreams and lead from your heart.”

 "Starting a business from the ground up is challenging and one of the hardest things I've ever done," says Amanda. "If I had known how hard it was going to be before I did it, I don't know if I would have taken the leap.  I guess that's the beauty in the unknown - you don't know until you go for it and I'm so glad that I DID!  Being an entrepreneur is difficult.  Work/life balance is always a struggle, but after seven years I can say that, outside of being a mother, it's the most rewarding job I've ever had."

Amanda continues, "Kit and I are so proud of what we've accomplished.  We've created a bakery that produces high quality goods, but most importantly, we've created a product that makes people happy. On the outside of our building is painted the phrase "Baking Up Smiles." That's truly what we do every day at Tiny Pies and it's something that is never lost on us.

I'm  super proud of the example that we've set for my sons and my niece and nephew. I know that my sons are proud of me and I hope that what we've done inspires them to believe in themselves and to follow their dreams. Family is everything to Kit and I, so it's especially rewarding to see our "family" expanded to the Austin community and beyond."

Amanda carries a photo of a note on her phone that her youngest son wrote the day after Tiny Pies was selected to be on The O List by O, The Oprah Magazine.  It reads:

 

'I am so proud of you. You are going to need to get ready though because you are going to get lots of people ordering pies. Tiny Pies is going to be the new best thing. Love, Andrew.'  

 

Her oldest son, Lucas, has also been a huge source of encouragement and even worked at the store when he was in high school.  Today, he continues to help when's home from attending college.  

Having baked a business completely from scratch next to her daughter, Kit Seay couldn't be more proud.  "Roles and opportunities have changed so much since I was a girl.  I'm so happy to be a part of this positive message for women everywhere."