Meet Marcus Pitts

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Marcus Pitts again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Marcus, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
I’m Marcus Pitts, the Co-Founder of Southern Roots Vegan Bakery. I oversee logistics, shipping, research and development, and manage all of our e-commerce and wholesale orders. My journey into veganism started after watching What the Health. That documentary opened my eyes to how the food we consume affects our bodies, and it inspired me to make a lifestyle change that eventually became the foundation for our business.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been seeing Southern Roots Vegan Bakery grow from an idea into a nationally recognized brand. Being nominated as the Best Vegan Bakery in the country was a huge honor, but what really stands out to me is the moment we got into our first retailer, Sprouts Farmers Market. That partnership was a game-changer for us and showed that the work we’ve put in behind the scenes is paying off.

For me, it’s all about creating an exceptional experience for our customers. Whether it’s shipping our award-winning baked goods nationwide or scaling up wholesale operations, I’m focused on making sure everything runs smoothly. I thrive on the challenge of turning our vision into reality and making our products accessible to as many people as possible.

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
Since our last conversation, Southern Roots Vegan Bakery has been on an incredible journey of growth and learning. We recently expanded into retail, launching three flavors of our cake donuts in Sprouts Farmers Market locations across Texas and California. That milestone marked a major step for us, as it was our first foray into retail, and the feedback has been phenomenal. We’re working toward getting our products into all Sprouts locations nationwide by the end of the year, and that’s a challenge I’m excited to tackle.

On the e-commerce side, we’ve continued to ship our baked goods nationwide, with orders going out to all 50 states every year. We’ve been fine-tuning our logistics to make the process even smoother and exploring new ways to improve the customer experience. It’s all about creating a seamless journey from the moment someone places an order to when they take their first bite.

One of the most exciting things we’re working on is increasing our presence in the hotel industry. Our partnerships with the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency in San Antonio have been amazing, and we see so much potential in growing that part of the business. It’s been rewarding to see our products offered in grab-and-go sections and restaurant menus, and I’m looking forward to expanding into more hotels nationwide.

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: The Matrix

Favorite Book: How to Win Friends & Influence People a Black Choice

Favorite Band or Artist: Tupac

Sweet or Savory: Both

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): Football

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Junior Olympian in Gymnastics

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Astronaut

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Bobby Axelrod

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Thundercats

Favorite Childhood movie: Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite Breakfast Food: French Toast

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
When faced with tough choices, I make it a priority to ensure I have a clear head before making any decisions. I’ve learned that acting impulsively can often lead to unnecessary complications, so I take the time to step back and evaluate the situation critically. This means looking at the issue from multiple angles—thinking about the immediate impact, the long-term consequences, and how the decision aligns with our overall goals.

I also believe in gathering as much information as possible before making a move. Whether it’s seeking advice from mentors, reviewing data, or brainstorming with my team, I try to base decisions on facts rather than emotions. When it comes to tradeoffs, I remind myself that saying yes to one thing often means saying no to something else, so I focus on what truly matters in the bigger picture.

Another key part of my process is involving the right people. Whether it’s Cara, our team, or trusted advisors, I value different perspectives and make it a point to listen to those who might see things differently than I do. It’s about being open to input while still staying grounded in what I know is best for our business and our vision.

At the end of the day, I trust my instincts and faith to guide me. I know that every decision, no matter how challenging, is a chance to grow and learn. Difficult choices are just part of the journey, and I see them as opportunities to build resilience and set the stage for something greater.

Website: https://www.southernrootsvegan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernrootsbiz

Facebook: ww.w.facebook.com/southernrootsbiz

Image Credits
We have the right to use the pictures.
Lion Tears Photography