SugaSoul Pies
From Family Tradition to Growing Enterprise: SugaSoul Pies Builds a Foundation for Success
For more than 20 years, Katrina Everett has been making sweet potato pies inspired by family tradition and the warmth of Southern comfort. Today, she is transforming that cherished recipe into a growing food business through SugaSoul Pies, a trade name operating under Studio T LLC in Southern Maryland.
Everett knew she had the passion and determination to turn her family recipe into a business—but she also recognized that passion alone would not be enough. She needed a strategic roadmap to move her vision forward.
That realization led her to the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Southern Region, where she began working with Preventure and Startup Business Consultant Tammy L.S. Wright. Together, they developed a step-by-step strategy focused on sustainable growth, financial readiness, operational excellence, and future expansion. Everett has also embraced artificial intelligence (AI) as an essential tool throughout her entrepreneurial journey. She uses AI to assist with business planning, marketing content, invoicing, branding concepts, product labeling, and other day-to-day activities. These tools have helped her work more efficiently while keeping her attention focused on growing the business.
Wright believes Everett’s willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace innovation has been one of her greatest strengths.
“Katrina exemplifies the resilience and determination we see in many successful entrepreneurs. She has embraced AI as a business tool while remaining committed to producing a high-quality product and building a sustainable company. Our role at the Maryland SBDC is to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and strategic guidance they need to succeed. Katrina has taken that guidance, applied it with enthusiasm, and continues to make measurable progress toward achieving her vision for SugaSoul Pies.”
—Tammy L.S. Wright, Maryland SBDC Southern Region
Through counseling, Everett received guidance on strengthening her business structure, preparing for commercial sales, identifying funding opportunities, and developing practical systems for growth. Wright helped her address several common early-stage challenges, including food-product compliance, packaging, invoicing, online sales, cash flow management, and financing preparation.
“Working with Tammy Wright and the Maryland SBDC has given me the confidence to move beyond simply having an idea and begin building a real business. Tammy did not just tell me what to do—she helped me understand why each step mattered. She encouraged me to use artificial intelligence to work smarter while always applying human judgment and logic. Through her ‘Crawl-Walk-Run’ approach, she helped me create a roadmap that makes my goals feel achievable. I truly feel that I have a partner who is invested in the success of my business.”
—Katrina Everett, Owner of SugaSoul Pies
Turning an Obstacle into an Opportunity
When Wright identified a major roadblock that could prevent SugaSoul Pies from moving forward, she took the initiative to contact the owner of Grille No. 13 Bakery and Restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland. That outreach opened the door to one of the business’s first significant milestones: a commercial collaboration between SugaSoul Pies and Grille No. 13.
The relationship generated SugaSoul Pies’ first documented sales and gave Everett an opportunity to establish a record of commercial activity, introduce her products to new customers, and gain valuable experience working with another local business.
“The Maryland SBDC Southern Region has helped me turn my vision for SugaSoul Pies into practical steps toward building my business. My consultant, Tammy Wright, helped me secure my first collaboration with Grille No. 13 Bakery and Restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland.”
—Katrina Everett
Growing Through a “Crawl-Walk-Run” Strategy
Working with Wright, Everett developed a sales strategy centered on pre-orders, or a “pay-as-you-go” approach. Allowing customers to pay before production helps reduce the amount of personal funds needed to purchase ingredients and supplies while providing a more predictable production schedule.
Everett also developed a website and selected Shopify (https://sugasoul-pies.myshopify.com/ ) for online ordering. The business uses Toast to support point-of-sale transactions, invoicing, and sales management.
Rather than making a significant investment in custom packaging during the early stages, Wright encouraged Everett to begin with economical branded packaging and direct more of her limited resources toward production, regulatory compliance, and customer acquisition. Wright refers to this measured approach as the “Crawl-Walk-Run” concept—building the business in manageable stages while preparing for larger investments at the appropriate time.
Food-business compliance has been another major focus. Everett completed nutritional and ingredient information, product-weight requirements, barcode preparation, labeling, and commercial-kitchen requirements. She also successfully passed the required inspection, positioning SugaSoul Pies for expanded sales opportunities.
The Maryland SBDC Southern Region is now helping Everett strengthen her financial readiness. Counseling has allowed her to evaluate potential funding options, improve her preparation for financing, and develop a business model capable of supporting sustainable expansion.
“Mrs. Wright’s professionalism, knowledge, and experience have given me the courage to pursue new opportunities. Her guidance and encouragement have helped me feel more confident as I navigate the challenges of starting and growing my business.”
—Katrina Everett
A Vision for Growth and Community Impact
Looking ahead, Everett plans to grow SugaSoul Pies through online ordering, pre-orders, restaurant and bakery partnerships, local events, seasonal sales, catering, and future wholesale opportunities. She also plans to expand the company’s product line to include mini pies, sweet potato cookies, sweet potato cake, signature spices, and branded merchandise. Community impact is an important part of Everett’s long-term vision. As the business grows, she plans to support the International Myeloma Foundation, a cause that holds personal meaning for her family. She also hopes to establish scholarships that will help students pursue their educational goals.
With documented sales, an early commercial partnership, stronger operating systems, successful regulatory preparation, and continued support from Tammy L.S. Wright and the Maryland SBDC Southern Region, SugaSoul Pies is turning a treasured family tradition into a promising Southern Maryland enterprise.
Everett’s journey demonstrates what can happen when passion is paired with preparation, innovation, and trusted business guidance. One thoughtful step at a time, SugaSoul Pies is building the foundation for lasting success—and creating a legacy that extends far beyond the kitchen.
Posted: 10/05/2026
