6Get rewarded for investing more into Mamie's Pies, Inc.
The Problem
Mamie’s crucial inflection point was when loyal customers of our 9-inch pies started asking for something they could enjoy even after the holidays. “We love your pies and they were absolutely delicious, but it’s just me and my husband at home. Can you make something smaller?”
As more and more customers requested a smaller size, Kara realized there was an opportunity in the market. Despite pie’s status as a beloved dessert staple, it’s been relegated to a seasonal indulgence thanks to its large portion sizes.
The Solution
Available in 6 all natural fruit forward flavors, Mamie’s pocket pies are frozen and unbaked using all natural ingredients. We flash freeze our pies which retains all of the authenticity of our homemade flavor and texture throughout the 1 year freezer life. Then we individually package each pocket pie so you can bake one for yourself or feed your whole family!
The Market
In 2018 the frozen dessert market was valued at $93.7B.
Now more than ever, consumers are increasingly aware and cautious of what they are putting into their bodies. This means that the old class of preservative-filled pies just won’t cut it. Mamie's is capitalizing on evolving consumer tastes, as well as a rising frozen dessert industry, to build a strong ingredient-conscious brand.
Our Traction
Since landing on Oprah’s ‘O List’ in August of 2017, our business has taken off. Since then we’ve appeared on QVC 46 times, partnered with big names like Macy’s and Amazon, and sold over one million pocket pies.
Our revenue increased from $80K in 2017 to $1.1M in 2019, and we hope to have our biggest year to date in 2020.
What We Do
Grandma knew what she was doing, so we keep our ingredients simple and classic too. All we did was change the shape. Now you can enjoy those sweet memories at any time of the year. Our fruit-forward fillings include; Wild Maine blueberries, McIntosh apples, sweet strawberries, tart Michigan cherries, perfect peaches, and pumpkin pie whipped to perfection, all surrounded by Mamie’s 4 ingredient signature flaky crust.
We believe in transparency in everything we do. From the packaging to the ingredients, what you see is what you get.
From classic ingredients, no preservatives, and flash freezing, there’s nobody that does it like Mamie’s. The best part is, you can bake, air fry, or deep fry, and the memories are just minutes away.
Our Reviews
The Business Model
In 2019, we exceeded $1M in revenue from our robust e-commerce platform which includes QVC (on air and online), our Shopify store, Amazon, and Zulily among others. QVC is perfectly suited for Mamie's as it allows Kara to speak directly to customers, telling her story and puts Mamie's Pies in front of 110 million consumers.
We launched into grocery retail in the 4th quarter of 2019, and we are already selling in over 800 stores nationwide. Mamie’s is set up for success in the freezer aisle because we understand the fast-paced lifestyle of today’s consumer and the need for single serving convenience WITHOUT sacrificing quality.
Mamie's Pies now has 2,000 customers who love the taste and convenience of our pies so much, that they are set up on auto delivery to receive a 12 pack of Mamie's every 90 days.
*These logos reflect our partners, retailers, and e-commerce platforms. Retailers are subject to change at any time based on distribution agreements.
How We Are Different
We consider Mamie's Pies to be leading the way in innovation in a category that has been stagnant for many years. Pies on the market are relying on preservatives to create shelf-stable products that are FAR from the homemade taste we know and love. We believe the frozen pie dessert category has not adapted to the ever-changing consumer lifestyle and the need for single serving desserts that are also good for you.
In our opinion, Mamie’s is the emerging brand that isn’t tied to a trend or fad and fighting for recognition in an already crowded space. We’re touted as the most innovative product in the frozen dessert category, filling a white space that’s been vacant for years. Mamie’s is leading the way in this category and proof is in the pie!
Just because today's consumer is always on-the-go, doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice taste or quality, Mamie’s has it all.
Video
The Vision
Most consumer packaged goods' (CPG) go-to-market strategies, start with retail grocery. We knew the risks of attaining velocity in grocery out of the gate, so we shifted gears and went direct to consumer first. That success in e-commerce launched us into grocery with large chain velocity and national placement.
Now we look to do the same in the food service industry. From airlines, cruise lines, baseball stadiums, catering, and restaurants, Mamie's pocket pies have an application to meet every consumer and business need.
Future plans include adding a line of savory dinner pocket pies that will complement our popular desserts.
________
Imagine enjoying Mamie’s Apple pocket pies at the ballpark! Grab and go without the challenges and inconvenience of a plate and fork. Now it’s finally possible!
*This Image is computer generated and not currently available for sale at any stadiums or sporting arenas.
Our Team
When Kara founded Mamie’s as a single Mom of three, she put everything she had into the business to make sure it succeeded. She moved herself and her kids into a downsized apartment, using the proceeds from the sale of her home and the liquidation of her retirement account to fund her dream. Kara’s already done the hard part — building a company from the ground up. You could say it’s as easy as pie!
While building Mamie's Pies, Kara put together a team of industry professionals. Each one hand picked for their expertise in startups, frozen dessert, retail, e-commerce, and food service. Utilizing her background in finance, her natural sales ability and her success thinking outside the box, Kara continues to put Mamie's in a position for growth.
Why Invest
We are an authentic, home-grown company with a heart-warming story and an unmatched drive to succeed. We have a track record of sustained growth...and we’re just getting started. We want you to join in on the Mamie's journey and help us put our pocket pies in hearts and homes across the country.
Video
Bright lights, big cameras and an expectant host on a silent soundstage, all waiting for our baker. She’s been hand-picked to pitch her product, crafted and cultivated for years to get to this moment: a seven-minute spot on QVC that could put Mamie’s Pies into 110 million homes.
Interview of Kara and Mamie's Pies
Company | : | Mamie's Pies, Inc. |
Corporate Address | : | 203 Auburn Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 |
Offering Minimum | : | $10,000.00 |
Offering Maximum | : | $1,070,000.00 |
Minimum Investment Amount(per investor) | : | $225.00 |
Offering Type | : | Equity |
Security Name | : | Common Stock |
Minimum Number of Shares Offered | : | 2,000 |
Maximum Number of Shares Offered | : | 214,000 |
Price per Share | : | $5.00 |
Pre-Money Valuation | : | $6,250,010.00 |
*Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See bonus information below.
Anti Dilution
Existing shareholders in the Company currently hold contractual rights with anti-dilution protection which allow them to maintain a 5% ownership stake until certain events take place. Following the closing of this offering, these investors will be granted additional shares to maintain their 5% ownership stake, resulting in dilution to investors in this offering. Please the the Dilution section of the Offering Document for additional information.
Voting Proxy.
Each Subscriber shall appoint the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”), or his or her successor, as the Subscriber’s true and lawful proxy and attorney, with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution, to, consistent with this instrument and on behalf of the Subscriber, (i) vote all Securities, (ii) give and receive notices and communications, (iii) execute any instrument or document that the CEO determines is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its authority under this instrument, and (iv) take all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the CEO for the accomplishment of the foregoing. The proxy and power granted by the Subscriber pursuant to this Section are coupled with an interest. Such proxy and power will be irrevocable. The proxy and power, so long as the Subscriber is an individual, will survive the death, incompetency and disability of the Subscriber and, so long as the Subscriber is an entity, will survive the merger or reorganization of the Subscriber or any other entity holding the Securities. However, the Proxy will terminate upon the closing of a firm-commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the offer and sale of Common Stock or the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 covering the Common Stock.
Investments Incentives & Perks*
Time-Based:
Friends and Family Early Birds
Invest within the first 48 hours and receive an additional 20% bonus shares
Super Early Bird Bonus
Invest within the first week and receive an additional 15% bonus shares
Early Bird Bonus
Invest within the first two weeks and receive an additional 10% bonus shares
Amount-Based:
$500+
Free pies + 15% off for life
Invest $500+ and receive a 12 pack of Mamies Pies + 15% lifetime discount
$1,000+
Free pies + 20% off for life
Invest $1,000+ and receive a 12 pack of Mamies Pies + 20% lifetime discount
$1,500+
Free pies + 25% off for life
Invest $1,500+ and receive a 12 pack of Mamies Pies + 25% lifetime discount
$3,000+
Yearly pie subscription + founder phone call
Invest $3,000+ and receive a 12 pack of Mamies Pies, a call with our founder, 25% lifetime discount, and our twice per year pie subscription
$10,000+
Founder dinner + 5% bonus shares
Invest $10,000+ and receive a private dinner with our founder. Kara will even come to you and bake you pies. Includes 5% bonus shares, a 12 pack of Mamies Pies, 25% lifetime discount, and our four times per year pie subscription
$20,000+
Founder dinner + 10% bonus shares
Invest $10,000+ and receive a private dinner with our founder. Kara will even come to you and bake you pies. Includes 10% bonus shares, a 12 pack of Mamies Pies, 25% lifetime discount, and our four times per year pie subscription
*Founder dinners must be based in the US and are limited to the investor and one guest.
*All bonuses and perks occur after the offering is completed.
The 10% Bonus for StartEngine Shareholders
Mamie's Pies, Inc. will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed by investors that are eligible for the StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. OWNer's bonus.
This means eligible StartEngine shareholders will receive a 10% bonus for any shares they purchase in this offering. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Common Stock at $5.00 per share, you will receive 110 shares of Common Stock, meaning you'll own 110 shares for $500.00. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
This 10% Bonus is only valid during the investors eligibility period. Investors eligible for this bonus will also have priority if they are on a waitlist to invest and the company surpasses its maximum funding goal. They will have the first opportunity to invest should room in the offering become available if prior investments are either cancelled or fail.
Investors will only receive a single bonus, which will be the highest bonus rate they are eligible for.
A crowdfunding investment involves risk. You should not invest any funds in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. Furthermore, these authorities have not passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not pass upon the merits of any securities offered or the terms of the offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering document or literature. These securities are offered under an exemption from registration; however, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not made an independent determination that these securities are exempt from registration.
[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Mamie's Pies, Inc. has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Mamie's Pies, Inc. be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
We had an amazing meeting with the Walmart frozen dessert buyer at the Open Call event Last week!
She LOVED our pocket pies and asked us to be part of the "Line Review" for the dessert category. This means Mamie's is moving on to the next step!
Still a lot to agree on and we haven't received the final 'yes' yet, but it's a move in the right direction and we couldn't be more excited!
We'll continue to post updates as we go through the process!
More to come.......
SAN RAFAEL, CA — What started as baked goods for a school fundraiser turned into a successful business for San Rafael resident Kara Romanik — and may soon hit Walmart shelves.
The founder of Mamie's Pies was selected from more than 4,800 businesses to participate in Walmart's seventh Open Call. About 850 small and medium-size businesses have been invited to pitch Walmart merchants during the multinational retail corporation's virtual merchandising event.
"When you're in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) business, you know where you would ultimately like to sell your products, and Walmart is always at the top of the list," Romanik said.
"Walmart's Open Call program is such a big deal for me because I feel that Mamie's Pies would be a natural fit," she added. "Walmart fosters wholesomeness and family, which is what our pies are all about. I'm beyond thrilled to move forward in the Open Call process, and my team and I are really excited to showcase our pocket pies and prove that we will make a great addition to Walmart shelves."
Founded six years ago in San Rafael, Mamie's Pies creates hand-held pocket pies surrounded by seven layers of flakiness and stuffed with four all-natural, fruit-forward ingredients.
Pie-making has always been a tradition in Romanik's family. Recipes were passed down from her great-grandmother to her nana and then to her mum, "Mamie."
Based on her mother's recipe, Romanik created her pies for her then-17-year-old daughter Kiki's fundraiser at Sir Frances Drake High School. The fundraiser was a success, and she then found herself taking orders from local grocery stores.
Romanik teamed with her daughter to build a new business. They made 9-inch apple pies and sold them to local grocery stores in Marin County and the Greater Bay Area.
"But things changed during our many in-store demos," Romanik recalled.
"We would hear the same story time and time again. 'My husband and I are empty-nesters, and we just can't justify buying a whole pie. We want to enjoy a slice without wasting or eating the whole pie.'
"That's when a lightbulb went off, and I came up with pocket pies shaped like apples, blueberries and pumpkins. The pocket pie was born."
As a 51-year-old single mom of three, Romanik sold her house, withdrew her retirement savings, and found the molds for the shapes that would become a staple tool in her signature dessert.
Romanik, now 57, refers to Mamie's Pies as her "second act."
"You're never too old for a second act," she said. "I moved my kids and I into a small apartment, and we figured it out together. I followed my gut."
The pocket pies were initially made out of a small commercial kitchen in San Rafael, then a larger commercial kitchen in Larkspur. Since scaling the business three years ago, the pocket pies have been produced in Maine.
"I'm a New Englander, and we use my family's recipes, so our apples and wild Maine blueberries come from New England," she said. "It's important to me to locally source ingredients and make our pocket pies where the recipes originated."
Romanik, who has lived in San Rafael for 22 years, runs all other aspects of the business out of her home.
Kiki, who is now 24, has been working for Mamie's Pies as the company's creative lead since she graduated from college. Romanik's two sons, Cameron, 21, and Griffin, 18, have worked in the kitchen since the company was launched.
"They would be there with me at midnight making pumpkin pocket pies for the holiday rush or doing tasting demos at grocery stores all around the Bay Area," Romanik said. "It really is a family affair!"
Three years ago, Mamie's Pies earned an "Oprah's Favorite" endorsement, which propelled the company to build an e-commerce platform and prepare for shopping channel QVC.
The company currently sells its pocket pies — which are available in apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, pumpkin and strawberry — on its own Shopify site and with a number of e-commerce partners that include QVC, Zulily, Stonewall Kitchen, Macy's and the military exchange.
"I've appeared on QVC over 60 times in the past 2-1/2 years with multiple sellout shows," Romanik said. "This national exposure helped launch Mamie's into grocery last November, and we're currently available in over 1,000 stores nationwide and growing every day."
Now Mamie's Pies has an opportunity to land on Walmart and Sam's Club shelves, on Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace. Romanik is preparing for her 30-minute virtual one-on-one pitch meeting Oct. 1.
Romanik said she feels grateful for the opportunity.
"You have to be willing to take a risk on yourself, which can be very scary, but the reward of the journey is like nothing I could have anticipated," she said. "From the people I meet every day, to the personal growth at 57, to the success of my business, I'm so very thankful."
The Marin IJ
San Rafael resident and Mamie’s Pies founder Kara Romanik had a mission to see how far she could go with her mother’s prized pie recipe long before home baking became a popular pandemic pastime.
What’s next for her mini fruit hand pies? They’ve landed a spot on the pitching desk at Walmart’s seventh annual open call event held virtually on Oct. 1. If all goes well, her wholesomely inspired, handheld desserts will be chosen by Walmart merchants to tempt its more than 265 million customers in stores and online.
The story of Romanik and her pies began in 2013 when she debuted 120 of her 9-inch, unbaked, frozen originals to sell at her daughter’s school fundraiser. With the help of her three teenagers, the single mother managed the influx of local grocery store orders that followed, eventually growing out of her home kitchen and then commercial spaces in San Rafael and Larkspur.
In 2016, Romanik put all of her financial resources into setting the pies on a serious path to success by creating a single-serving, pocket-size version to ease scalability and please consumers wanting just a slice.
When Mamie’s Pies made it to Oprah’s favorites list in 2017, she moved production to New England, where Romanik was raised and the pie’s fruits are sourced.
The preservative-free, individually packaged and still frozen and unbaked pies come in six flavors — blueberry, apple, strawberry, cherry, peach and pumpkin — in a four-ingredient flaky crust.
Before Walmart makes its selections, find your single-serving pocket pie at more than 1,000 retailers locally, nationwide and online. Find locations or order directly at mamiespies.com.
[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Mamie's Pies, Inc. has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Mamie's Pies, Inc. be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Walmart asked all the Open Call 2020 finalists to create a short video to be shown during the virtual event on October 1st. So we took a break from working on our presentation and created this short video.
It was as easy as Pie!
Seeing Mamie's pocket pies on the freezer shelves in Safeway Northern California is BIG deal for us!!
Even though our founder Kara is from New England, she raised her family here in Northern California and this is where she started making pies as a business!
California is the largest region nationwide for Safeway/Albertson with over 600 stores. We currently sell our pocket pies in Southern California and now the opportunity to do the same in Northern Ca is AMAZING!!!!!
Look for Mamie's on the freezer shelves in November
[The following is an automated notice from the StartEngine team].
Hello!
As you might know, Mamie's Pies, Inc. has exceeded its minimum funding goal. When a company reaches its minimum on StartEngine, it's about to begin withdrawing funds. If you invested in Mamie's Pies, Inc. be on the lookout for an email that describes more about the disbursement process.
This campaign will continue to accept investments until its indicated closing date.
Thanks for funding the future.
-StartEngine
Looks who's front and center.....our founder Kara!!
More than 4,800 businesses applied for the chance to pitch a Walmart Merchant on Oct. 1
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 4, 2020 — The wait is over for entrepreneurs who submitted their applications for Walmart’s seventh annual Open Call event as approximately 850 small and medium-sized businesses received their official invitations to pitch Walmart merchants at Walmart’s annual merchandising event on Oct. 1.
This year, more than 4,800 businesses representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and Mozambique applied for the chance to pitch a Walmart merchant, a 44% increase in submissions from last year. The businesses selected to participate in Open Call will now start preparing for their 30-minute virtual one-one-one pitch meetings and their chance to realize the American Dream.
"As a female entrepreneur, who has been blending yummy spices for customers on the internet for years, I am excited to be selected to participate in Walmart's Open Call," said Sylvia Kapsandoy, CEO of Amboseli Foods, a specialty food seasoning manufacturer based in Utah. "This is such an incredible opportunity to potentially introduce more people to USimplySeason seasonings. It’s the opportunity I've been dreaming of!"
Participants in this year’s first-ever virtual Open Call event could secure deals ranging from a handful of local stores to supplying hundreds of stores and Sam’s Clubs as well as Walmart.com and Walmart Marketplace. In addition to the pitch meetings, the one-day program includes a series of breakout sessions designed to inform, empower and encourage business owners of all sizes. Many of the sessions will be open to the general public as the virtual nature of this year’s event makes the program accessible to more businesses and convenient for them to participate regardless of location.
An extra-special surprise
Walmart surprised several dozen unsuspecting applicants with their Open Call invitations in an extra-special way: Applicants were invited to join a Zoom meeting for their state on Friday morning, August 28, where they were told they would receive “updates and important information” about their Open Call application.
The unsuspecting business owners joined the Zoom meeting expecting to hear about next steps in the application process and were surprised with the news that they had already secured their spot at this year’s Open Call event instead. The reactions ranged from stunned to enthusiastic, as the big break these companies have been looking for was suddenly within reach.
This morning our founder Kara was invited to a surprise Zoom call with Walmart where they announced Mamie's Pies is one 7 Northern California companies selected to present to Walmart buyers on Oct 1st!
Out of over 5,000 entries for Walmart's Open Call nationwide search for innovative products made in the USA, 700-800 businesses were chosen across all categories from 48 states!!
On October 1st, Kara will present our pocket pies to a captive audience of frozen dessert buyers for Walmart. This years event will be virtual, but that's not a problem for Kara with all her on air experience with QVC. She's already planning her presentation!
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