Today we’d like to introduce you to Monece Starling.
Monece, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been the designated baker in my family. I actually enjoyed making desserts, so I never complained. It wasn’t until High School when my dad taught me how to make a pecan pie using his special recipe. At the time, I was not a fan of pecans. I only ate peanuts and occasionally cashews of course. When I tell you that pecan pie changed my life! I became a fan that day. Later on, I played on the basketball team and we had to do a fundraiser to buy our shoes. I figured if I’m going to sell something why not sell a product I care about? I started selling pecan pies and was able to buy my basketball shoes. I continued to make pies but only during holidays.
Years later, after I graduated college and moved back home, I was in search for a job. I wasn’t having any luck so once again I opened shop to sell pecan pies. This time I added Sweet Potato Pie and Apple Pie. Business was good. I was able to use that money for my road trip to move to California. Once I got to California, I continued my business to sell pies, but only Pecan and Sweet Potato. I started to take my Mo Pies business more seriously and wanted to have something that would bring generational wealth that I could pass down to my future children. In 2020, I took the necessary steps to make Mo Pies an official business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Making Pecan and Sweet Potato pies is the easy part. Actually running the business requires more planning and researching. I had to learn the legal requirements for starting a business at home, take a food handlers course, and obtain a seller’s permit. All of those things were new to me. And when COVID hit, I had to readjust my marketing plan.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mo Pies – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have a pie baking business called a Mo Pies where a sell Pecan Pies and Sweet Potato Pies. I’m bringing a taste of the South to LA. My pecan pies are like no other pecan pie you will ever taste. People who don’t like pecan pie always enjoy mine. My Sweet Potato pie will remind you of home…as I’ve been told. Not only does it taste good but I offer three different sizes and I’ve included vegan options. You can order a regular 9-inch pie (Mo Pie). You can share my cupcake size pie (Mo Cups). Or you can indulge into my candy bite-size pies (Mo Bites).
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My future plans for Mo Pies is to sell them at a couple of restaurants and also cater events.
Pricing:
- Mo Pies ranges from $13 to $17
- Mo Cups price ranges from $12 to $14
- Mo Bites prices are $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Mopies4u.com
- Phone: 213-437-3730
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Mopies4u
Image Credit:
Latika Sye
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