Pies with a Purpose
Many entrepreneurs have a business idea and then launch a small business. But what if you have a passion for a cause and want to find a way to fund that passion?
Dawn Urrutia had that dilemma. In 2016, she decided to fulfill her passion for donating books to needy families by launching Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company.
Named after Dawn’s grandmother, proceeds from Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company fund the purchase of children’s books that promote “love, inclusion, diversity, resilience, acceptance, character building and entrepreneurship to children of the community.”
But how does someone create a sustainable revenue stream for that worthy goal?
Dawn and Deyago Urrutia contacted the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Louisville. They worked with business coaches to refine operations, enhance marketing skills and improve business knowledge through workshops and webinars.
Since 2016, Dawn and Deyago have continued to work with the SBDC coaches. They also received mentoring from SCORE Kentuckiana and the Women’s Business Center (WBC) of Kentucky. And business grew rapidly.
But when COVID hit, businesses were forced to close their doors. So, Dawn applied for an SBA COVID-19 EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) to sustain the company.
In 2023, Dawn was accepted into the SBA THRIVE program, an executive-level training series designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses in the U.S. She has implemented that knowledge in her business.
The SBDC has been with the Urrutias every step of their journey, providing no-fee counseling, business educational programs, assistance with loan applications, marketing ideas, pandemic recovery and more. They also continue to receive small business advice from SCORE and the WBC.
Dawn is also explored government contracting opportunities with the Kentucky Apex Accelerator program, which provides counseling services to small businesses interested in federal contracting opportunities.
Dawn’s “Pies with a Purpose” initiative has donated thousands of books for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary students and young entrepreneurs. And small businesses and large corporations participate in the Urrutias’ nonprofit children’s books program.
Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company desserts and box lunches can be found in their brick-and-mortar store, farmers markets, independent food stores, popular restaurants and other outlets in the area. And those with a sweet potato craving can have products shipped locally or across the U.S.
The company has won numerous awards for business ethics. Also, their products have been certified as “Kentucky Proud,” a designation for products grown on Kentucky’s farms by the state’s Agriculture Department.
Dawn and Deyago received a Governor’s Service Award for their help in funding to open a Family Resource Center for Louisville area students, and have been acknowledged by the Louisville Metro Council, the Kentucky House of Representatives and others for their contributions to reading programs for children.
And in 2024, Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company was named the SBA Kentucky Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year.
Regarding the assistance from SBA and its resource partners, Dawn said: “Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company is a mission-focused and driven company. We invest in our community by giving away free diverse books to families. SBA and its programs, along with its resource partners like the SBDC, SCORE and Women’s Business Center, have helped us grow and prosper.”