Featuring Sandra McCabe, owner of Three Legged Hare.
When you walk into Three Legged Hare in Lansdale, PA, you’re greeted by the aroma of golden, flaky pastries filled with rich, savory fillings. The mastermind behind these handheld meat and vegetable pies is Sandra McCabe—a former attorney whose passion for baking took the long road to fruition.
Sandra’s love of food started early, nurtured by her mother’s recipes and her own curiosity in the kitchen. But life initially led her down a different path: law school. Years later, feeling the pull of more tactile creativity, she enrolled in culinary classes, worked in bakeries, and explored food traditions around the world. From pasties in the UK to empanadas in Spain, she realized every culture—except America—had its own tradition of savory pies. She saw an opportunity to bring that tradition home.
Starting, however, was no easy feat. Without kitchen space, funding, or a clear business plan, Sandra faced years of delays—compounded by the consistent labor of being a loving caregiver. Yet, she never stopped refining recipes or dreaming of opening her own shop.
Finding a Lifeline in WBEC-East
One Google search for “women in business” led Sandra to WBEC-East’s Women’s Business Center in Philadelphia. She signed up for their FastTrac® program, unsure she’d even be accepted. “I didn’t know anything,” Sandra recalls. “But they taught me so much—everything from the business side to the personal side. They told me the truth about what it takes, and they stuck with me.”
Facilitator Melanie McLeod and business consultant Jane Murry became anchors during a turbulent time. Even when hospital visits and family losses disrupted her plans, Sandra leaned on their guidance. “I never gave up because of those coaches,” she says. “They believed in me when others had stopped asking if my business would ever open.”
Through FastTrac®, JumpStart, and one-on-one coaching, WBEC-East gave Sandra the practical skills and confidence to make her dream tangible—from financial planning (her least favorite part) to marketing strategies. The resources she received remained relevant for years.
Leveraging Other Resources Along the Way
WBEC-East also opened the door for Sandra to explore other small business support hubs. Before opening her shop, she connected with the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center to help finalize pricing, marketing plans, and navigating unexpected construction costs. Business advisors even visited her kitchen to provide tailored advice.
“They really cared,” Sandra says. “It felt like meeting with old friends. They wanted to make sure I was on track and could move forward despite setbacks.”
While Sandra has since learned that “not all help is the same,” she credits her positive Lehigh SBDC experience—built on a foundation of skills learned at WBEC-East—with giving her the confidence to make sound business decisions before launch.
The Slowest Startup…with Staying Power
Sandra jokes that she might be “the slowest startup on record,” but her methodical approach paid off. In 2023, she opened Three Legged Hare, which was named after her real-life three-legged rabbit, George, a fearless and lovable pet who, much like her pies, defied expectations.
Today, Sandra sells her handmade savory pies at her Lansdale shop, farmers markets, and events across the region. She oversees multiple employees and manages her own marketing materials which keeps her coming back to WBEC-East for continued guidance and expert support: “Why reinvent the wheel when someone with more experience can shortcut the process for you?… I know I can reconnect with WBEC-East for programs and coaching that meet me where I am.”
Advice for Fellow Entrepreneurs
Her message to aspiring business owners is clear:
- Don’t give up.
- Step outside your comfort zone.
- Find reliable experts
“Most of us know our product really well, but not the rest of the business. That’s what will sink you if you ignore it. Find programs like WBEC-East’s Women’s Business Center offers where the advice is grounded, practical, and trustworthy.”
Visit Three Legged Hare
You can find Sandra at local farmers’ markets and online —visit her bakery in Lansdale, PA or just Google “Three Legged Hare Lansdale” to see where she might be popping up next!
📍 1213 Walnut Street, Lansdale, PA
🌐 Website: Three Legged Hare (site update in progress)
📱 Find her at local farmers markets and online—just Google “Three Legged Hare Lansdale.”
WBEC-East’s Women’s Business Center exists to provide training, resources, and coaching to meet entrepreneurs where they are—no matter their starting point. Sandra’s journey is proof that with persistence, passion, and the right support, even the longest road can lead to a thriving business.
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