How Kathy Turned a Pandemic Hobby Into a Real Business

In this episode of Modern Marketing Made Simple, I sit down with Kathy, the founder of Sassy Kathy’s Vanilla Shop, to talk about what it really looks like to build a product-based business through creativity, pivots, and persistence.

What started during the pandemic as a simple experiment making homemade vanilla quickly turned into a growing business built around pure ingredients, thoughtful gifting, and supporting other small businesses along the way. Kathy shares how she went from corporate life and homeschooling three young children to building a business that now includes vanilla, infused honey and maple syrup, custom favours, cookie kits, gift baskets, and more.

We talk about the realities of running a handmade product business, learning through trial and error, navigating markets and seasonality, and how collaborations and community have played a huge role in her growth. Kathy also shares how she approaches creativity, networking, repeat customers, and building a business that works for her family and lifestyle.

We also talk about:
→ Starting a business during the pandemic
→ Why pure, high-quality ingredients matter
→ Expanding from one product into multiple revenue streams
→ Learning what works (and what doesn’t) through markets
→ Collaborating with other small businesses to grow your audience
→ Building relationships that lead to repeat customers and referrals
→ The challenges of shipping handmade products
→ Why flexibility and pivots are essential in entrepreneurship
→ Creating a business that fits around family life

Connect with Kathy:

Instagram: Sassy Kathy’s Vanilla Shop - https://www.instagram.com/sassy_kathys_vanilla_shoppe
Website: https://www.sassykathysvanillashoppe.com/ 

If you love hearing honest conversations about building businesses in real life, this episode will remind you that growth often comes from trying new things, staying open, and continuing to evolve.