Kristen Mullins

Slice Pie Company

Inspiration: ​My daughter, Eliana, is what drives me. I wanted to do something out-of-the box to show her that you can love what you do for a living and make money while doing it.

Biggest risk: ​I had a comfortable, work-from-home career with a tech company. It would have been easier to stay, but I was unfulfilled, and it was worth the risk. I’ve never looked back!

Core values: We’re a family-owned business and we work diligently to persevere daily, no matter the challenges that we face. Everything that we do is with integrity and the desire to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Greatest challenge: ​I am challenged every single day. The biggest lesson for me has been to trust my gut. No one knows our business like my family does. I have been so fortunate to have mentors and people who really have rallied together to help support us in our growth. The biggest lesson of all is that, ultimately, we are the ones who know our business inside and out. I have grown more confident because of this, and I’m proud that I feel empowered now more than ever before.

Professional highlight:​ ​I am most proud that my daughter gets to watch and learn from all of our hard work. She is so proud of what we do and what we have accomplished.

One of the biggest accomplishments professionally was receiving the award for Best Pies in N.C. by msn.com, USAToday.com and The Daily Meal (thedailymeal.com). Receiving national recognition has really catapulted us into the next level.

Strange but true: I am a terrible cook but great at baking pies. Don’t ask me to bake you a cake, because pies are where it’s at!