Client Testimonials

Chapel Street Café & Restaurant

Chicago, IL

twice per week calls in the six months leading up to the restaurant’s open
hired and trained 50 staff members for grand open
worked cross-functionally with marketing, contractors, hotel management, graphic design (menus and signage), etc. to open on time and within budget

“I wholeheartedly recommend Kate to anyone looking for an expert to consult them throughout opening a restaurant, cafe, or bakery. She brings an incredible mix of strategic insight, industry connections, operational expertise, and hands-on leadership. Her ability to manage both big-picture strategy and on-the-ground execution made all the difference for us.”

— Marina Shortino, Co-Founder

Bread Cult

Chicago, IL

observation and a report of the farmer’s market stand
ongoing scaffolding for projected growth and initiatives
operational and systems insights for scalability and efficiency

“Kate brought such warmth, clarity and genuine care… The notes she provided were incredibly insightful – she noticed things I hadn’t even realized could make a difference. Her perspective as someone who’s been in the sourdough world gave her advice depth and practicality.”

— Mirela Hukic, Founder

WineCult

Ventura, CA

spearheaded new products, corporate gifts and events
gained local and regional visibility through strategic partnerships and events
hired and trained staff to execute 3-4 new events per week

“Working with Kate was nothing short of transformative for my business. She is fast, hardworking, and has a keen sense of how money is made… Her ability to identify growth opportunities, streamline operations, and implement strategic marketing made an immediate and lasting impact on my company. She instinctively knows what a business needs in terms of operational support to ensure rapid growth. Thanks to her guidance, my staff became significantly more productive, our sales increased, and the business itself expanded.”

— Geena Bouche, Founder

JoyFull Events

Santa Barbara, CA

pulled off high-touch, multi-day events, coordinating with sound, lighting and furnishings vendors, as well as live plants and animals

“Kate fit seamlessly into my trusted team. She has an extremely calm presence and can tackle any job that is thrown at her. I especially love her can-do attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is smart, extremely responsible and always shows up with a positive attitude (even after working for 18 hours)… She is definitely a rock star.”

— Tamara Jensen, Founder

Prairie Birthday Farm

Kearney, MO

three days per week for one year, on-site at a cutting-edge agroforestry and wild food farm
implemented systems cohesive with the farm’s specific values to create efficiency, generate higher revenue and reduce costs

“I became keenly aware of Kate’s valuable observations and critique. She brought to our work a deliberate attentiveness. Kate embraced my values to learn what she needed and reflected to me how they were or were not supportive of my goals and aspirations.”

— Linda Hezel, Founder

Twenty-Four Blackbirds Chocolate

Santa Barbara, CA

managed daily operations of the factory, driving a 15% increase in overall business revenue
developed corporate gift programs, events, and activities that enhanced customer engagement and contributed to revenue growth
optimized manufacturing efficiency, streamlining kitchen processes and reducing waste

“[Kate’s] keen understanding of our audience’s interests and her ability to turn concepts into successful programs directly contributed to increased attendance and customer satisfaction…Her results-driven mindset and ability to lead by example inspired those around her and contributed to our company’s growth.”

— Mike Orlando, Owner

Bettina Pizzeria

Montecito, CA

launched operations as the first General Manager of a high-volume Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Montecito, CA, ensuring top-tier service and seamless day-to-day operations.
developed and implemented operational systems that improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer experiences, contributing to the restaurant’s positive reputation and increased guest satisfaction.
collaborated closely with the executive chef and owners to ensure the restaurant’s culinary vision was delivered consistently while maintaining Michelin-level standards under high volume.