30-03-2025
Women's History Month: Meet 4 East Texas women business owners who have turned their dreams into reality
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — In honor of March being Women's History Month, KETK News had the opportunity to meet with four East Texas business owners who have proven that grit and determination can lead to success.
From sweets to drinks, these women have turned their dreams of opening up their own business into a reality:
The Apple Gal first started in the small personal kitchen of Van native and former fourth-grade teacher, Morgan Francis.
Eventually, the demand for apples outgrew the capacity of Francis' home kitchen, and The Apple Gal Candy Co. opened their doors to a brick-and-mortar shop in May 2023.
Although The Apple Gal 'quickly blossomed into a booming business,' Francis said she has many goals to reach for the business in the coming years.
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'My goal would be multiple locations throughout the country, shipping out of a huge warehouse and my apples in a department store,' Francis said. 'I just want everyone to have an Apple Gal apple.'
People can find the signature hand-dipped granny smith apples at 2459 Mosaic Way in Tyler or by ordering on The Apple Gal website.
Owner of The Headless Librarian, Katy Perez created a 'dark academia and cottage core' themed book boutique in Tyler to offer a welcoming space for East Texas book lovers.
The Headless Librarian includes a wide-range of books for all ages and various items that are from women-owned businesses. When it comes to the types of books that Perez chooses, she puts in a lot of research for every product.
Perez wasby the amount of support from Tyler and the surrounding East Texas communities. 'The best part about this is the people, the connections and the community, that has really been what's been able to fuel me to continue on,' she said.
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Perez plans on expanding her small business into a brick-and-mortar store in the future with the goal of creating a space for the community to gather for book clubs and live poetry readings.
People can find The Headless Librarian inside the Bluebird Antique Mall on 1718 West Gentry Parkway in Tyler or by purchasing on their website.
Owner of Just Pies, Denise Weaver, uses her childhood recipes to create delicious and showstopping pies for East Texans and beyond.
Just Pies first started when Weaver's sister, Tammy Harden, opened the business in 2018, but after four years, Harden decided it was time to retire, and that's when Weaver took over the shop.
Not only has Weaver's family made an impact on Just Pies, but also the employees that have become the heart of the bakery, crafting pies that make East Texans come back to the business again and again.
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'I just try to put my whole heart into everything we bake so that someone that comes in will make them enjoy it as much as we do,' Assistant Manager of Just Pies Mandy Robinson said.
Weaver's childhood recipes have been perfected by three generations of women who have dedicated their lives to upholding their family's baking standards '.'
People can purchase their pies at 2970 Old Henderson Highway in Tyler or by making an order online.
Owner of Cup O' Joy, Blanca Villanueva, offers a wide variety of boba teas to ensure each East Texan can find a drink they love.
Cup O' Joy started when Villanueva and her husband began thinking of business ideas and originally thought of opening a Mexican restaurant, but that all changed when they took a trip to California. During the trip, they both felt inspired by the boba shop they visited, leaving them ready to bring the idea to Tyler.
The boba shop opened its doors in October 2019 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Villanueva explained that the only way the business thrived through tough times was the Tyler community.
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'When people come here, we try to have a smile; we want people to come in and ,' Villanueva said. 'We love the feeling of people enjoying the drinks, so we want to make sure everyone enjoys what they get here with us.'
Cup O' Joy has various drink options ranging from fruit tea, milk tea, smoothies and frappes with the option to add toppings.
People can find their boba tea and so much more at the Cup O' Joy shop located at 105 E Eighth St., Unit #105, in Tyler.
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