Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Pitts
Hi Marcus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My wife, Cara, and I didn’t plan on starting a bakery—it just kind of found us. In 2016, we watched a documentary about plant-based living, and it made me rethink everything about food. I decided to go all in, did my research, and committed to a plant-based lifestyle. But if you’ve ever tried going vegan, you know the desserts can be… disappointing. So Cara started experimenting in the kitchen, and next thing we knew, she had perfected a red velvet cake donut that didn’t just taste good for a vegan dessert, it was just good, period.
At the time, I was working full-time in healthcare, managing Medicare and Medicaid operations. Then the company I worked for was acquired, and my entire department was laid off. Instead of seeing it as a setback, we looked at it as a window of opportunity. We took my severance, bet on ourselves, and put everything into growing the business.
In the early days, we were out at farmers’ markets every weekend, selling donuts and talking to customers. But for us, it was never just about the donuts. Cara would always say, ‘We aren’t just selling donuts, we are building a brand.’ And that stuck with me. We weren’t in this to be another small bakery we were laying the foundation for something bigger.
By the time 2020 rolled around, we had already built a strong online business, so when the world shifted to e-commerce, we were ready. That summer, we went viral, and everything changed overnight. Orders exploded, and we scaled fast to keep up with demand.
Of course, business is never a straight line. By 2022, sales started to slow down, and like any smart business, we pivoted. Cara started writing grants, and so far, we’ve secured over $50,000 in funding, which helped us navigate slower seasons while continuing to grow.
Now, we’re in over 200 Sprouts Farmers Market grocery stores with plans to double that by the end of the year. What started as a simple idea in our kitchen has turned into a thriving company. And honestly, we’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We definitely underestimated what it takes to run an online baked goods business. It is not just about making great desserts. You have to make sure they arrive fresh, intact, and on time. Shipping and packaging became a priority fast because customer experience is everything.
In the beginning, we learned the hard way that shipping baked goods is not like shipping a t-shirt. We had to figure out how to package our products so they would not arrive melted, stale, or broken. That process was expensive. We took on a lot of shipping debt trying to get it right, testing different boxes, insulation, and delivery speeds while still keeping things profitable.
Then sales started to decline, which brought another challenge. When you go viral, there is a rush of excitement, but eventually, things level out. That is when we had to shift from relying on momentum to building a long-term strategy. We started focusing more on retail and wholesale to balance out the dips in online sales. At the same time, we doubled down on marketing and customer retention, making sure people did not just try our products once but kept coming back.
Figuring out how to scale while maintaining quality and keeping costs under control has been one of the biggest learning curves. But that is business. You learn, you adjust, and you keep moving forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Southern Roots Vegan Bakery ?
Southern Roots Vegan Bakery is all about bringing high-quality, gourmet plant-based desserts to people who want great taste without compromise. We specialize in baked goods that do not just taste good for being vegan, they taste good, period. That has been our focus from day one.
We are best known for our cake donuts, especially our red velvet flavor, which was the first product we ever sold. Over the years, we have expanded our menu and grown from a small home-based operation to a nationally recognized brand. Today, we ship our desserts to all 50 states.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and customer experience. We do not cut corners when it comes to ingredients, packaging, or the overall experience of enjoying our products. Whether someone orders online or picks up a donut in-store, we want them to feel like they are getting something special. That is why we continue to refine our recipes, improve our packaging, and expand our reach to make plant-based desserts accessible without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Southern Roots Vegan Bakery is about legacy, community, and proving that plant-based foods can be just as indulgent and satisfying as anything else on the market.
For anyone who has not tried our products yet, we offer nationwide shipping and corporate gifting options, and we are constantly expanding into more retail locations. Whether you are vegan or just love good desserts, we have something for you.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Absolutely. If there is one thing I want people to take away, it is that Southern Roots Vegan Bakery is built on quality, community, and a commitment to making plant-based desserts that truly stand out. Whether you are fully plant-based or just looking for a great dessert, we want to be the go-to brand that delivers on taste and experience every time.
For anyone who has supported us along the way, we appreciate you. Every order, every review, and every share has helped us grow into what we are today. If you have not tried our products yet, now is the perfect time. We ship nationwide, we are expanding in retail, and we are always working on new flavors and ways to make our desserts even better.
If you are a business looking for unique corporate gifts, a store interested in carrying our products, or just someone who loves a good dessert, we would love to connect. You can find us online, in Sprouts stores, or on social media. We are just getting started, and we cannot wait to share what is next.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.SouthernRootsVegan.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/SouthernRootsBiz
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SouthernRootsBiz
