PlainsCapital is Key Ingredient in Emporium Pies’ Sweet Recipe

“I always knew I was going to be an entrepreneur, but I’ve always been a creative spirt. Now, being a person responsible for the finances of a company, I’ve found that managing money and finding ways to make money work for you, your company, and your employees can be a creative pursuit and endeavor. Part of that was working with PlainsCapital.” – Megan Wilkes, Owner of Emporium Pies

Background

Owning a small business is no piece of cake, or in this case, no piece of pie. But Megan Wilkes was willing to put in the hard work to give customers the sweet taste of classic pie with a special twist. She had always loved hosting dinner parties and making people feel welcome. In 2011, she and her business partner took that inspiration and opened Emporium Pies in Bishop Arts.

“Pie, to me, really symbolizes the idea of coming together around a table,” Wilkes says. “A lot of cultures put a lot of thought into making pie, and it’s become a family tradition. Not only is it a way for us to invite people in, but also a way for us to show the flavors that are unique and local to our area.”

PlainsCapital Bank has been a key ingredient in Emporium Pies’ recipe for success. As the business has grown, the bank has been there to lend advice, assist with financing, and act as a friendly neighbor whenever it’s needed.

Problem

In 2019, Emporium Pies had to change banks due to an emergency at the current bank it was working with. A friend and PlainsCapital Bank customer encouraged Wilkes to reach out to Senior Loan Officer Ana Hernandez in order to move all the accounts over to PlainsCapital.

Solution

Ana helped Emporium Pies make a smooth transition with all their accounts, consolidate loans, and lower its monthly payments.

“By the time a small business needs a loan, you really need it,” Wilkes says. “PlainsCapital helps us make it happen quickly. Ana was right there to get us what we needed. It feels like small-town service, but the banking options are very robust.”

Outcome

As a female business owner, Wilkes admits it hasn’t always been easy, but her goal is to build a helpful, stronger community one slice of pie at a time. She’s already doing that at her four locations in Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, McKinney, and the brand-new shop in Fort Worth.

“It’s ironic that I ended up where I am,” Wilkes says. “I always knew I was going to be an entrepreneur, but I’ve always been a creative spirt. Now, being a person responsible for the finances of a company, I’ve found that managing money and finding ways to make money work for you, your company, and your employees can be a creative pursuit and endeavor. Part of that was working with PlainsCapital.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge, Wilkes’ was able to keep all her staff. She plans to reopen the Bishop Arts dining room to customers this month.