Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Black, Faith Wannamaker, Collin Black
Heidi, Faith, and Collin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Faithful Foods, Inc. has been crafting handmade artisan mixes, confections, and foods for the South Carolina Midlands and the Southeastern US since 1995. This expansion followed our incorporation as a gift basket business in 1986, allowing us to become food producers as well.
We provide an array of artisan offerings, including Baking Mixes, Rice Mixes & Blends, Soup & Chowder Mixes, as well as both Savory and Sweet Dips & Appetizers. Our selection also features bakery items and snacks like Shortbread Bits, Cheddar Wafers, and Praline Petites.
In addition, we create a range of perishable goods, such as Sweet Pies, Savory Pies, Bakery Items, Pimento Cheeses, and more! Among our customer favorites are Tomato Pie, Squash Pie, and Pecan Pie, which can be found in retailers throughout the Midlands of South Carolina.
Our mission is to produce delightful foods that are “Handmade so you don’t have to—leaving you time to enjoy Life’s most important things.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a small business is a continuous and ever-evolving journey. We initially started as a retail store specializing in gift baskets. To grow our venture, we obtained the necessary certifications and licenses to create our own line of Faithful Foods products for inclusion in gift baskets and wholesale distribution to other retailers. Over the years, we have found it essential to modify our goals and business strategies to facilitate growth. Heidi established this business with the aim of earning a living while also raising her two young children. As the children matured, so did the business. We operated multiple brick-and-mortar locations over the years, with the assistance of older children. Eventually, we discovered that our business would flourish best by concentrating on wholesaling, online sales, and participating in a few retail artisan markets and shows. This shift has proven more beneficial now that we are a three-person family team. Our current team consists of founder Heidi, her daughter Faith, daughter-in-law Collin, and three grandsons: Davis (6), Rabon (3), and Fletcher (2), who often accompany their moms to work.
Economic challenges in recent years have kept us agile in finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality and discovering inventive methods for producing, packaging, and marketing our products. Growing some of our own ingredients, such as produce and eggs, on our ranch and sourcing products from other local producers has helped us minimize expenses without compromising quality. Collaborating with fellow business owners in the industry has also been invaluable for sharing ideas and resources, allowing us to avoid “reinventing the wheel.” We remain committed to adjusting and evolving to meet the demands of current markets.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Faithful Foods Inc.?
We are genuinely a small, family-owned business! Unlike large corporations with massive production facilities, all our products are crafted by hand in our modest commercial kitchen. Although we may be small, we offer a diverse selection, including gourmet mixes, pies, and artisan snacks. Our bestsellers feature Cheddar Wafers, Shortbread Bits, Rice Mixes, Tomato Pies, and Pimento Cheeses.
What sets our business apart is our passion; we truly love what we do, and we believe that dedication is evident in our work. When you choose to support us, you’re not contributing to a CEO’s luxury; you’re helping us put food on our own tables, buy our children new clothes, and pay for that little boy to play tee-ball.
We take pride in this work because it enables us to raise our children and grandchildren while providing for our families. We want everyone to understand that we are a small, family-run Christian business committed to creating delicious, high-quality foods. Many of our products are available at various local retailers and on our website.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
In our business, we rely heavily on repeat sales and the power of customer referrals. One of our biggest delights comes when someone likens our products to “how grandma used to make it” or shares how it evokes memories from their childhood. Over the years, many of our customers have transformed into cherished friends. Now that we’ve been in business for 39 years, we are also delighted to serve second-generation customers, too.
Pricing:
- Faithful Foods Mixes: from $4.99-11.99
- Cheddar Wafers, Shortbread Bits & Pralines: from $6.95-7.95
- Sweet Pies & Savory Pies (Mini/Large): from $8.00-25.00
- Confections & Cookes: from $3.00-5.00
- Pimento Cheese & Egg Salad: from $7.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.faithfulfoods.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithfulfoodsinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithfulfoodsinc
