Chicago, IL
“What sets Kate apart is not just her expertise but also her unwavering commitment. She went above and beyond her consultant role… Her dedication, resourcefulness, and genuine care for our success were evident in everything she did. 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
Chicago, IL
“Kate came into m y world at the perfect time. My business had been growing quickly, and I reached a point where I needed a fresh set of eyes – someone who could see both the forest and the trees. From the moment we met, 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… I’m so grateful to have her as a guide and sounding board as Bread Cult continues to grow.”
— Mirela Hukic, Founder
Ventura, CA
“Working with Kate from September 2023 to April 2025 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, WineCult. One of Kate’s standout qualities is her goal-oriented mindset. She understands that launching a product isn’t just about one marketing angle—it’s about layering multiple strategies to maximize visibility and sales. 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 in ways I hadn’t initially imagined…Beyond her expertise, Kate brings an infectious energy that brightens any team she works with. She made even the toughest aspects of my role feel lighter, offering fresh perspectives that encouraged me to think outside my usual framework. Her ability to hire and place the right people in key roles further strengthened our operations and brand representation. Her vision wasn’t just achieved—it scaled beyond what I thought was possible. Any business would be lucky to work with her, and with her on your side, growth is almost guaranteed.”
— Geena Bouche, Founder
Santa Barbara, CA
“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
Kearney, MO
“Through our long, hot hours of ‘soil quilting’ I became keenly aware of Kate’s valuable observations and critique. She brought to our work a deliberate attentiveness that was especially valuable during the demanding artisan food growing activities on Prairie Birthday Farm. 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. Thanks for challenging me!”
— Linda Hezel, Founder
Santa Barbara, CA
“Kate consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication, creativity, and leadership that made a lasting impact on my company… Her 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. In every project she undertook, Kate brought energy, insight, and a can-do attitude that made her a joy to work with.”
— Mike Orlando, Owner
General Manager
Montecito, CA