The Story of Sarris Candies with Bill Sarris: Making of a Family Legacy and Iconic Brand

What does it take to turn a basement candy operation into one of Pittsburgh's most iconic brands and keep it thriving across three generations? In this episode, Greg Weimer sits down with Bill Sarris to discuss how his father transformed a simple idea into a multi-generational business built on craftsmanship, relationships, and relentless hard work. From making chocolate bunnies six at a time in the family basement in the 1960s to running five production lines that turn out hundreds of thousands of bunnies each Easter, Bill shares the defining moments that built Sarris Candies into a brand woven into the fabric of the Pittsburgh community. CHAPTERS 01:00 Welcome to Living Your Legacy 01:30 Meet Bill Sarris 02:00 How It All Started in a Basement 04:10 Six Bunnies at a Time 05:20 Going to W&J and Joining the Business 06:30 Fundraising and Building the Brand 07:30 $75,000 in Cash to Europe 09:30 Why Sarris Became the Iconic Brand 11:00 The Giant Eagle Phone Call 13:00 Expanding and Building in Sections 14:00 The New Facility at Fort Pitt Bridgeworks 14:40 Delegating and Growing the Team 16:30 A Workforce That Stayed for Decades 18:00 Family Culture and Relationships 19:30 What Drives You When It's Not About Money 21:30 Passing It to the Next Generation 23:30 Learning Every Part of the Business 24:30 What Are You Most Proud Of 25:30 What Would Your Dad Think 26:30 Legacy and One Piece of Advice GUEST Bill Sarris -- Owner, Sarris Candies HOST Greg Weimer -- Founder and CEO, Confluence Financial Partners TOPICS Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Family & Legacy