Meet Sheila Blue

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheila Blue and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheila, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The motivation behind starting Victory Pie Company came as a beauty for ashes story. I lost my brother, “SSG Mark C. Wells” serving in Afghanistan and I desired a way to give back to the many who serve our country and communities. I have always been an entrepreneur at heart and my brother and I both loved to bake. It was our connection to each other, as well as way to connect to others. Being the “older sister” I cooked for and taught him a lot about baking. His favorite meal was my homemade chicken pot pie. I had been teaching cooking and meal planning classes as a stay at home mom prior to starting this business. I searched out and found a farmers market and began selling my pot pies so that I could give back a portion of all the profits to veterans, their spouses and children as a way to give back and keep telling his story. Just like the “Victory Gardens” of World War II, when our country did our part to help the men and women who were serving, I felt that this was my chance to do my part to give back and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as well as those who return home and need care and help to re-enter the workforce, families and battle with PTSD.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets Victory Pie Company apart from others is our daily devotion to excellence in everything we bake and make in our cafe. Every component of our pies, as well as our other baked goods and dishes are all made by hand and from scratch. We source as much locally as we possibly can. We stay focused on what we do best, which is pie! Sweet or savory, we create flavors that are comforting and traditional as well as new varieties that offer something new to the palate. Some of our pies and dishes are only served once a year, as we are committed to using ingredients that are truly fresh and in season. We are dedicated to serving our guests with the very best of everything we have. We focus on an experience as much as we focus on the food we serve. Every guest is treated like a bestie or favorite family member when they share their day with us. I believe we have succeeded as a result of all the failures I made on the road to getting here. I have had a lot of practice in getting things wrong as well as right. I went from paralegal, to homeschooling mom, to mural artist, to chef in the course of 20 years and each one of those roles added a skillset that has made me the business owner that I am today. Being a restaurant owner has been one of the most difficult things I have ever done. My team depends on me for their livelihoods as well as our guests’ desire to feel confident about the time and money that they spend with us. I have been able to overcome the challenges because my “why” was so big. My “why” was a desire to give back to those who sacrifice daily for our country and communities and to tell my brother’s story so his memory is not forgotten. I have learned that I have so much to learn. Seriously, I have learned that a teachable spirit is key to success and leadership. I learn as much from my staff as they do from me. What I want the world to know about Victory Pie Company is that service to our guests and sincerity is at the heart of everything we do. When guests choose us, they are not only making their day better, they are giving back in huge ways that make a difference in the lives of service members, their spouses and their children. They can feel good about eating with us and knowing that they just did something life changing in the same moment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my, where do I even begin? I would start the day with a fabulous brunch at Tiny Boxwoods on Alabama St. We would walk through the tranquil nursery while waiting for a table. After our fill of decadent pastries and mimosas, we would be off to a matinee at Theatre Under The Stars to catch a show we’ve been dying to see.

Next, is Nouveau for a drink before heading to the fabulous Lancaster hotel for a bite and a great night’s rest.

The following days we would hit all the fun spots that bring out the kid in us. The Houston Zoo being number one.

Lunch at Post Market Food Hall for all the cuisine choices we could imagine. Chill up on the rooftop for a bit and call it a day.

This may sound simple, but the Museum of Natural Science is always a fave! New exhibits are a great way to spend an afternoon.

Heading back home, honestly we would find a new small “mom and pop” we’ve never tried before and give it a go!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to the four greatest men in my life and our faithful customers. My husband of 30 years and three sons have been the greatest support system that a woman in business could ever ask for. Their constant encouragement, advice and pure muscle in the building process have been nothing short of an incredible gift. They keep me grounded and inspired. Always, to our faithful customers, without whom we would not be here today and continuing to serve, grow and give back.

Website: https://www.victorypiecompany.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorypiecompany/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victorypiecompany

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@victorypiecompany9902